NSSN Correspondent

If you had the time to read the bios of most race-car drivers, in virtually every age category, the first line usually reads: ‘Began racing career in go karts or quarter midgets, or dirt bikes or whatever at the age of 4 years old, 5 years old, 6 years old, etc.’ However, picking up the bio for 20-year-old dirt-late-model standout Josh Richards, it is very surprising to note that he drove his first race of any kind at age 15 — and behind the wheel of a dirt late model nonetheless.
Although he grew up encircled by the sport, traveling around the country with his dad, Mark Richards of Rocket Chassis fame, it wasn’t until October 2003 the Shinnston, W. Va., native decided it was time to try racing. 
“Until my first race in ’03, the only time I had spent circling a race track was in a packer car,” explained Richards. “I started packing the race track when I was about 7 years old at Interstate 79 Speedway, which was close to our house. I did it every season as much as I could until I was about 14 or so, and they shut the track down. 
“From the time I was a little kid, maybe 6 years old, I went to the races at all the local tracks around our area with my dad. At that time, he was the crew chief for Rodney Combs and I tagged along to help Dad and the team as much as I could.”
From the time he was about 10 years old, Richards hit the road with his Dad, traveling to dirt-late-model races across the country.
It was during this time period that the nickname “Kid Rocket” was bestowed on young Richards. Little did the dirt-late-model racing world know that the name given to Richards, as the son of one of the most noted chassis manufacturers in the sport, would apply equally to his ability on the track.
“Dad’s late-model chassis business was really starting to take off about the time I was 10,” Richards continued. “He was running the Rocket Chassis house-car team with drivers like Tim Hitt, Steve Francis and Bart Hartman. I was part of the crew and went with him to events all over the country, as long as it didn’t interfere with school.

Josh Richards Hometown: Shinnston, W.Va. Birthday: March 22, 1988 Marital Status: Single Children: None Car: No. 1 Seubert Calf Ranches/ACE Metal Works/MCB Motorsports Rocket Car Owner: Mark Richards Racing Web site: www.joshrichards.com

“When I look back on it, I always wanted to drive race cars, but I didn’t say a whole lot for a long time, I just sat back and learned as much as I could traveling and working with my dad.”
In 2004, the youngster ran more than 30 late-model events, including several World of Outlaws Late Model Series events. He impressed his dad enough that in 2005 Richards was installed as the lead driver in the Rocket Chassis house-car team.
The 2005 season saw Richards begin the process of making a name for himself. He finished eighth in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series standings and won rookie-of-the-year honors in the series. Arguably, his most impressive feat that season was qualifying for both Eldora Speedway’s Dream and World 100. At just 17 years old, he was the youngest driver to make both events in his first attempt.
Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, an avid lover of dirt-late-model racing and participant in the sport as his schedule allows, has Rocket Chassis build the chassis for his personal dirt late model and has developed a friendship with the senior Richards. 
After seeing young Richards driving talent and determination, Stewart took the driver under his wing.
“Everybody takes it for granted and thinks this kid’s success is due to his father owning Rocket Chassis,” said Stewart. “But that is not the case at all. Hundreds of drivers across the country have Rocket Chassis and can’t go out and win. If you don’t have the right driver, you aren’t going to win. That kid has gone out and raced with the best drivers from day one and beat the best in the country on any given night. He is just a great talent.”
In January 2006, Stewart offered Richards a ride in one of his midgets at the famed Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Okla. It was the first time he had ever taken a lap in an open-wheel car. He returned to the Chili Bowl again in 2007 and 2008 with Tony Stewart Racing.
“I had a blast at the Chili Bowl,” Richards said. “Tony was a great help in giving me as much information as he could on how to drive a midget. I haven’t done as well as I want to, but the experience has been awesome and I learned a bunch from Tony as well as just being on the track with some of the best in midget racing.”
In 2006, Richards got off to a slow start, mostly because he was finishing his high school education and racing full-time. But after his graduation, he put together an amazing second half of the season capped with a World of Outlaws victory at Columbus, Miss.
The 2007 season was a breakout year for Richards. He captured four WoO LMS victories and was one of only three drivers to win back-to-back races.
Stewart opened another door for Richards, fielding him in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Southern Illinois 100 at the famed DuQuion (Ill.) State Fairgrounds one-mile dirt track. Richards didn’t disappoint, bringing home a solid fourth-place finish in his first start.
“I was like a proud father after the DuQuion race,” said Stewart. “We wanted to get him some experience in a heavier car, a Cup-style car, but on the dirt, something he was familiar with. I spotted for him and was even more nervous, but he did such a great job. 
“He has such great car control. He knows how to make the car work and how to work on the car. I mean, he knows more about a late model than I do and the kid is barely 20 years old. He just impresses me. If we can get him some pavement experience, I think he has a great shot to make it down here (NASCAR).”
As the 2008 season began, Richards picked up where he left off in ’07 by winning the WoO LMS season-opening event at Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park.
“Winning the season-opening race gave us a good start to the season in the points,” Richards explained. “We had a blast racing for the WoO championship and are looking forward to keeping ourselves in the hunt this season.
“Racing is really all I ever wanted to do,” he said. “With my dad as an inspiration, teacher and car owner, I have the best opportunity a young driver could have to be competitive, win races and contend for championships.”
When asked about his career goals, Richards wants to do whatever it takes to get to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series level and contend professionally for wins and championships. With the respect and endorsement of Stewart, coupled with his talent and determination, he will put his name on the list of NASCAR winners sometime in the near future.