CONCORD, N.C. -- Josh Richards took home the trophy for his eighth victory of the 2009 season in the World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown presented by Hungry-Man. Richards started from the second position and cruised to a full straightaway lead by the time the race reached the halfway mark.

"This year has been a dream come true to win as many races, to be in contention for the championship with [Steve] Francis," said Richards in Victory Lane. "I think Francis and I are in the same heat tomorrow and I don't know about Saturday night, but it's definitely been close all year. Steve's an awesome guy to race with."

It was Richards' second win at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway. His first win at the four-tenths-mile clay oval came last year in the World of Outlaws World Finals. The Showdown ran caution free until lap 47 when Austin Hubbard slowed on the backstretch and came to a stop at the exit to the pits. On the restart, Scott Bloomquist put up a fight for the lead, but the yellow flag waived again less than a lap later as Eric Jacobsen spun on the frontstretch. When the race restarted again with two laps to go, Richards pulled away from Bloomquist to lead the final laps.

Richards, who is locked in a tight battle for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship with Steve Francis, passed Francis on the outside to take the lead on lap 12. The rest of the field was unable to catch Richards, but there was three-wide racing and fierce battles throughout.

Bloomquist was able to hold on to second place over Francis. Chris Madden and Earl Pearson Jr. rounded out the top-five finishers.

Originally scheduled for Oct. 14, the Showdown was postponed due to weather until Nov. 4. Several incidents during heat races then forced officials to postpone the feature event until after qualifying rounds for the World of Outlaws World Finals on Nov. 5.

A total of 137 sprint cars and late models were clocked during World Finals qualifying. On-track action continues with full slates of racing scheduled for both divisions on Friday and Saturday. Gates open at 4 p.m. each afternoon and opening ceremonies are set for 6:20 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate or by calling the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.

RESULTS

World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown presented by Hungry-Man (50 laps): 1. Josh Richards, 50 laps; 2. Scott Bloomquist, 50; 3. Steve Francis, 50; 4. Chris Madden, 50; 5. Earl Pearson Jr., 50; 6. Austin Dillon, 50; 7. Brady Smith, 50; 8. Jonathan Davenport, 50; 9. Jeep Van Wormer, 50; 10. Randle Chupp, 50; 11. Rick Eckert, 50; 12. Ray Cook, 50; 13. Darrell Lanigan, 50; 14. Jeremy Miller, 50; 15. Dennis Erb Jr., 50; 16. Chris Ferguson, 50; 17. Eddie Carrier Jr., 50; 18. Eric Jacobsen, 50; 19. Greg Satterlee, 50; 20. Dennis Franklin, 49; 21.Tyler Reddick, 49; 22. Jimmy Owens, 49; 23. Russell King, 49; 24. Dan Schlieper, 46; 25. Austin Hubbard, 45; 26. Clint Smith, 20; 27. Shane Clanton, 14; 28. Tim Fuller, 14.