Richards & Francis Hope To Win Alltel DIRTcar All-Star Cash For McCreadie

PHOTO BY JAMES MACDONALD

Richards & Francis Hope To Win Alltel DIRTcar All-Star Cash For McCreadie

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stars Seek Contest Victory To Help Recovering Driver

CONCORD, NC – Feb. 20, 2009 – Two World of Outlaws Late Model Series standouts are eligible for the $10,000 prize that goes to the winner of the Alltel DIRTcar All-Star contest.

But neither Josh Richards nor Steve Francis is thinking about buying new toys for themselves if they’re fortunate enough to collect that cool, hard cash when text-message and on-line (www.alltelallstar.com) voting ends at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 28.

Both drivers just want an Alltel DIRTcar All-Star victory so they can help out a racing buddy in need: 2006 WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who is sidelined until at least April with a back injury.

After Richards and Francis earned berths in the lucrative contest by winning last week’s season-opening WoO LMS events during the 38th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., they were asked why fans should cast votes for them. Both made it clear that they intend to transfer money to a support fund that has been set up for McCreadie, who faces mounting medical bills – with little insurance to pay them – after suffering a fractured T3 vertebra in a crash on Jan. 14 during the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla.

Yes, the stars of the WoO LMS make sure they take care of their own.

Richards, 20, of Shinnston, W.Va., was the first dirt Late Model driver to pledge Alltel DIRTcar All-Star money toward McCreadie’s treatment after he captured the WoO LMS lidlifter on Feb. 12 for the third consecutive year. The young sensation known as ‘Kid Rocket’ is close with the 34-year-old McCreadie, who preceded Richards as the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year (McCreadie in 2004, Richards in 2005) and has offered Richards much guidance on and off the track.

“If I win this thing, I’ll give the money to McCreadie,” said Richards, who backed up his Volusia WoO LMS score with a $10,000 UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned Super Late Model triumph the following evening. “He’s helped me a lot and he definitely keeps the racing exciting. I’d like to see him out here racing with us right now.”

Francis, 41, of Ashland, Ky., seconded Richards’s assertion when he claimed the WoO LMS 50-lapper on Feb. 14 that ended the 2009 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. Not only have Francis, the 2007 WoO LMS champion, and McCreadie been friendly rivals since 2004, last year McCreadie drove Francis’s car in two major events early in the season.

“If we can win it, we’ll give part of it to Timmy to help pay for some of his medical bills,” Francis said of the Alltel DIRTcar All-Star contest. “I think I heard Austin Dillon (the teenage grandson of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress and a two-time UMP DIRTcar Modified winner during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH) say that the other night, too. Timmy is a stand-up guy and that’s the best thing I can think to do with (the money).”

McCreadie attended the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, spectating from the hauler of his Sweeteners Plus Racing teammate Vic Coffey. He was almost speechless after hearing his friends Richards, Francis and Dillon think of him first when asked about winning a possible $10,000 prize.

“I really do appreciate what everybody’s done,” said McCreadie, who must wear a wraparound back brace until doctors give him a clean bill of health. “I know everybody means well and I thank them for thinking of me.”

Richards and Francis are currently trailing in the Alltel DIRTcar All-Star voting, which includes the 14 drivers who won features in four divisions (dirt Late Models, 410 Sprint Cars, DIRTcar big-block Modifieds and UMP DIRTcar Modifieds) during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. But there’s still plenty of time for them to come back with help from dirt Late Model fans, who can vote once a day through Feb. 28.

And even if a driver from another division tops the voting to pocket the $10,000, the highest vote-getters in the three non-winning classes will pocket $1,000 apiece.

To vote, fans can text-message 247253 plus their favorite driver’s letter code or visit www.alltelallstar.com and click on their favorite driver’s photo. One voting fan will win a $500 Alltel gift card.

The final list of Alltel DIRTcar All-Star candidates and their text message letter cods are Dirt Late Models – Richards (k), Francis (m), Darren Miller (g), Earl Pearson Jr. (h) and Dan Schlieper (j); 410 Sprint Cars – Donny Schatz (b), Stevie Smith (d) and Joey Saldana (f); big-block Modifieds – Pat Ward (i), Jamie Mills (L) and Brett Hearn (n); and UMP DIRTcar Modifieds – Jared Landers (a), Austin Dillon (c) and Randy Hall (e).

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.