Ronnie Dehaven leads the field early on after the start of the "Octoberfest" at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway. (Tommy Michaels)

Richards Shoots Down Frontrunners Early to Reel In "Octoberfest" at Hagerstown

Hagerstown Speedway

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Nov. 13. Starting ninth on the starting grid, Shinnston, West Virginia's Josh Richards took only 15 laps to take control and pull away to what was ultimately a six-second margin of victory in Sunday's annual "Octoberfest" at Hagerstown Speedway. It was his first win in the 24th annual event.

Unlike its scheduled weekend ending with the Trick-or-Treat snow job of two weeks ago, the postponed Verizon Wireless Octoberfest ended with a more than seasonable weekend to finalize the speedway’s season on Sunday.

After starting ninth, Josh Richards rolls underneath polesitter Jeremy Miller for second en route to Sunday's "Octoberfest" win at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway. (Tommy Michaels)

Booper Bare looks inside of #46 Marvin Winters before completing a fourth place run at Hagerstown. (Tommy Michaels)

With two time event winner, Jeremy Miller on the pole, Ronnie DeHaven, Jr. grabbed the top spot from the outside over Miller, with Dave Zona, Kyle Lear and Rick Eckert in tow before the caution waved on the second lap as four cars were involved on a backstretch incident. Jason Miller unable to continue.

On the next circuit, Lear and Eckert got together heading into the first turn as Lear went around and into the first turn. Jason Covert slid into Lear and both were unable to continue.

Rick Eckert ran as high as sixth before getting involved in a tangle. The new World of Outlaws champion from Pennsylvania managed to return for a ninth place showing. (Tommy Michaels)

DeHaven stretched his lead over Miller following the restart and was to the rear of the field and more than four seconds ahead by the 12th lap, while Richards and Eckert were into the next spots.  Back-to-back restarts gave Richards the opportunity to grab second and when DeHaven bobbled slightly in turn four, Richards quickly sped past to lead the 15th lap. Eckert followed into second, but DeHaven battled back to retake the position four laps later.

Richards led while DeHaven trailed by just over two seconds for lap after lap while Jamie Lathroum moved into third on the 21st lap, and Dylan Yoder passed Eckert for fourth the next. Richards was into the rear of the field again on the 34th lap and began to stretch his lead by sticking lapped cars between himself and DeHaven and enjoyed 5.81 seconds just before the yellow waved for ninth running Marvin Winters, who coasted to a stop.

A hooked up Josh Richards leads the pack at Hagerstown. (Tommy Michaels)

Richards sped the final three laps to capture the win over DeHaven, Lathroum, 20th starting Booper Bare and Yoder. Dan Stone came from 23rd for sixth, with defending event winner Gary Stuhler from 17th, Kenny Pettyjohn (16th), Eckert, and Alan Sagi completing the top ten.

“I have to thank Ernie, Connie and Keya Davis for letting me drive this car and Ernie for putting up the rest of the purse money for all the classes,” Richards said. “That just shows how much he loves to race and supports the fans and the track. Just to drive this care is awesome. We were a little soft on the left rear tire. We just tried to stay smooth. This was a cool way to end the season.”

Josh Richards with car owner Ernie Davis and family at Hagerstown Speedway. (Tommy Michaels)

Nov. 12 - Hagerstown Speedway "Octoberfest" 1. Josh Richards, 2. Ronnie DeHaven Jr., 3. Jamie Lathroum, 4. Booper Bare, 5. Dylan Yoder, 6. Dan Stone, 7. Gary Stuhler, 8. Kenny Pettyjohn, 9. Rick Eckert, 10. Alan Sagi, 11. Jerry Bard, 12. Russ King, 13. Duane Harbaugh, 14. Dave Zona, 15. Chad Hollenbeck, 16. Tom Decker, 17. Tim Wilson, 18. Corey Weaver, 19. Marvin Winters, 20. C. S. Fitzgerald, 21. Brian Booze, 22. Jeremy Miller, 23. Jim Yoder, 24. Kyle Lear, 25. Jason Covert, 26. Jason Miller Heat winners (34 entries): Miller, DeHaven, Zona, Lear were heat winners; B-Main winner: Stone
Cory Stivason photo