Richards sits out after camper fire
GIBSONTON, Fla. — Josh Richards’s plans to enter Wrisco Winternationals action at East Bay Raceway Park were delayed at least one day so he could regroup his personal affairs after the Shinnston, W.Va., driver’s tagalong camper was destroyed in an overnight fire. | Complete Speedweeks coverage
Richards, who flew back to his home in western Ohio after last weekend’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series programs at All-Tech Raceway in Ellisville, Fla., spent Wednesday heading to Florida with his dually truck and camper to join his car owner and teammate Boom Briggs at East Bay for Thursday’s show. He parked for the night in a Walmart parking lot about 30 minutes north of East Bay and went to sleep with his wife, Andrea, but shortly thereafter they noticed smoke and discovered a fire had broken out.
The couple escaped without injury and Richards saved his dually truck from significant damage, but the camper and its contents were a complete loss.
“He was gonna get a good night’s sleep, he was anxious to race here at East Bay tonight, and his wife woke up to smoke,” said Briggs, who raced Thursday at East Bay. “By time they got outside the whole side was on fire. Just thank God that they’re safe and they got out and their dog got out. "
Richards, 33, was expected to return to competition Friday and Saturday for the final two nights of Winternationals action before heading to Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., next week for the DIRTcar Nationals.
