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Richards Opens Three State Flyers Series With Saturday Hagerstown Victory. Steve Lowery Claims Season Second Pure Stock Triumph

By Doug Watson

Total domination. That’s the best way to describe Shinnston West Va.’s Josh Richard’s season opening “Three State Flyers Series” win Saturday at the Hagerstown speedway. In scoring his first feature win of the season at Hagerstown, the defending and two-time World of Outlaw’s series late model champion, became the third different winner in the three-week old season at the venerable Maryland Half-mile.

After scoring a win in the dash, Richards earned the pole for the start of the 35-lap Stanley Schetrompf classic. As the pack took the green flag Richards, wheeling his Ernie Davis owned Rocket no.25, out-dragged fellow front-row line mate Kyle Lear as they raced into turn one. From that point on, it would be a race for second as Richards would go on to lead every lap of the event earning the $3000 pay day that went along with it.

However, as Richards lead, The race for second was quite intense. Eventual runner-up Kyle Lear held the spot the entire distance but had to withstand the constant pressure from Austin Hubbard and Jamie Lathroum that kept the crowd on their feet. As Richards took the checkered flag, Lear would come home second for his best-ever late model finish at Hagerstown with Hubbard settling for third. Tenth-starting Jason Covert would place fourth and Dylan Yoder would claim the Round Hill Auto Service hard charger award as he came from 13th on the grid to round out the top-five.

“I really enjoy racing here at Hagerstown, it’s always a lot of fun.” Race winner Josh Richards stated in victory lane. “This is one of the best tracks I’ve raced on all year so far, there wasn’t a bump on it. I just hope it was a good show for the fans.” A well-prepared race car made Richards job that much easier. “ I can’t thank Ernie and Connie Davis and all the people who help with this car.” Richards said. “This Roush/Yates engine in this car is so strong, but the track was a little slick tonight, so I had to be really careful with the throttle.” Late race lapped traffic was the only scare Richards faced the entire event. “You just never know how big of a lead have so you have to be really careful in lapped traffic, but the cautions came when we needed them, and everything turned out good.”

Heats for the 30 Nininger’s Tire and Auto Center Challenge late models went to Richards, Jamie Lathroum and Kyle Lear with Jerry Bard claiming the consolation.

The Ernie D’s pure stocks were also part of the program and when it was all said and done, current point leader Steve Lowery became the first repeat winner of the season in the divisions 15-lap event. Bill Ecton and Billy Ecton Jr. brought the field to the initial green flag of the race. Bill Ecton would lead one lap before sixth starting Eddie McClellan took the top spot on lap-two. McClellan, who would go on to lead the remaining laps of the contest, would have to repel the advances of tenth-starting Steve Lowery to post the win. However, McClellan failed a post-race inspection, handing the win over to Lowery. Drew Fitzsimmons came home second, Bill Ecton held on for third, Charlie Pensinger was fourth and Wayne Hawbaker completed the top-five. Coming from tenth to first, Lowery also claimed the Turner Bowling Centers hard charger award.

Three State Flyer Late Models- 30 entries (Lap Leaders, Josh Richards 1-35)

1. Josh Richards 2. Kyle Lear 3. Austin Hubbard 4. Jason Covert 5. Dylan Yoder 6. JT Spence 7. Jamie Lathroum 8. Nick Dickson 9. Roy Deese Jr. 10. Jared Hawkins 11. Bart Hartman 12. Marvin Winters 13. Brent Smith 14. Alan Sagi 15. Frankie Plessinger 16. Gary Stuhler 17. Ashley Barrett 18. Keith Jackson 19. Scott LeBarron 20. Derek Byler 21. Jerry Bard 22. Devin Friese 23. Matt Parks 24. Duane Harbaugh DNQ- Bob Gordon, CS Fitzgerald, Matt Murphy, Tim Murphy.

Pure Stocks- 13 entries (Lap leaders, Bill Ecton 1, Eddie McClellan 2-15)

1. Steve Lowery 2. Drew Fitzsimmons 3. Bill Ecton 4. Charlie Pensinger 5. Wayne Hawbaker 6. Kenny Dillon 7. Dave Stouffer Jr. 8. Billy Ecton Jr. 9. Mike Kratovil 10. Charles Shearer 11. Darrin Younker (DNS) 12. Tony Catlett (DNS) 13. Eddie McClellan (DQ)

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