Press Release

NO. 1 IS NO. 1: RICHARDS IS FIRST ENTRANT IN THE BIGGEST DIRT RACE IN THE WORLD

$48,000-to-win World 100; Three Nights of Racing on Sept. 10-11-12; Tickets Now Available

Josh Richards waves to the crowd prior to driver introductions at Eldora (Joey Millard photo)
Josh Richards waves to the crowd prior to driver introductions at Eldora (Joey Millard photo)

ROSSBURG, Ohio (August 21, 2015) – Late Model superstar Josh Richards drives car No. 1 and fittingly was the No. 1 entry form received for the 45th World 100 at Eldora Speedway.

Richards, 27, from Shinnston, West Virginia, was the first entry of several that will come to Eldora for The Biggest Dirt Race in the World™. The race will have the largest dirt late model purse since The Million in 2001 at Eldora.

A total of $318,580 will be available with $48,000 going to the winner of the 100-lap World 100. The late Earl Baltes posted $4,000 for the winner of the first World 100 in 1971 and then added $1,000 each year following.

“I guess it just worked out that way,” Richards said. “When the form comes out we fill it out right away because we want to be there. We look forward to being there.”

Richards is a three-time World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion and has finished in the top-five in the World 100 twice.

“There is just so much prestige to that race,” Richards said. “Ever since I was a little kid growing up, that was a crown jewel event across late model racing. My first race as a kid at Eldora was the Million and to see the event and the people was amazing. People just want to win at Eldora. Everyone kind of bases everything of off how many World 100s they have been won. That race just means so much more than any other one.”

Richards has been on a roll recently, winning a race August 13 at Delaware International Speedway in Delmar, Delaware the next night at Potomac Speedway in Budds Creek, Maryland. He’s won six total races in 2015 after sitting out most of 2014 due to an injury.

Coming off the injury, he would like to win the biggest race of them all, the World 100.

“It’s a huge honor to come that facility,” Richards said. “The last six or eight weeks we have been pretty good. We’ve worked all year to get better, especially since I missed most of 2014. Coming to Eldora, you can’t rule out Jonathan Davenport. He won every race at The Dream and was really fast. (Scott) Bloomquist is really good as is (Jimmy) Owens. You just never know. Other people have been working hard too. But you can’t ever count those guys out. We’re going to do what we can to beat everybody.”

The race set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, September 10, 11, and 12 and entry blanks are posted at http://www.www.eldoraspeedway.com/races/entry-forms-rules/.

Tickets and reserved campsites for the World 100 can be purchased at www.EldoraSpeedway.com or by calling (937) 338-3815.

About Eldora Speedway:
Since carved from a cornfield in the natural amphitheater that existed between the Eldora Ballroom and the Wabash River by bandleader Earl Baltes in 1954, Eldora Speedway has grown to be a frontrunner in motorsports growth and stability. Celebrating its 62nd season in 2015, Eldora hosts the biggest events in short-track racing including the 21st annual Dirt Late Model Dream by Ferris Mowers; the 32nd annual Kings Royal Weekend; the third NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 1-800-CAR-CASH Mud Summer Classic; and the 45th annual World 100. The complete schedule for Eldora’s 62nd consecutive season, including ticket and campsite information, is available at www.EldoraSpeedway.com and can be requested by phone at (937) 338-3815. Fans can get behind-the-scenes access of Eldora Speedway by following @EldoraSpeedway on Twitter, hitting ‘Like’ at www.facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway and on www.youtube.com/EldoraSpeedwayInc. The Eldora Speedway app for the iPhone, iPad and Android is available for free download via iTunes and Google Play.