The Sharon event, which will be highlighted by a 50-lap feature attraction paying $10,000 to win, will mark the third leg of the WoO Alltel Ohio Late Model Speedweek.

The 21-year-old Richards, who currently holds a slim 18-point lead over defending champion Darrell Lanigan, is the leading feature winner on the WoO tour, with six checkered flags to his credit.

The Shinnston, WV resident is a six-year veteran of the dirt track wars, taking his first ride in a late model at the tender age of 15. Even more interesting, is that Richards did not start out racing go-karts or quarter midgets like most of his contemporaries. His first racing experience was behind the wheel of a 700 plus horsepower late model.

"I used to drive a car packer at the dirt track my father owned (the now shuttered I-79 Speedway) when I was five years old," Richards said. "Plus, I grew up around my family business (Rocket Chassis, one of the nations leading builders of dirt late models), so getting involved in the sport came naturally."

Richard's rise in the sport has been meteoric. He has caught the eye of some of the best racers in the country, including current NASCAR Sprint Cup point leader Tony Stewart, who serves as his mentor. When Stewart competes in dirt late model races, he does so as a part of the Richards Rocket Chassis team.

While Richards is in the thick of the battle for the WoO point crown, he also has his eye cast on moving into the NASCAR ranks.

"I'm testing the waters right now," said Richards, "I am running a few NASCAR Camping World East and ARCA Re/Max races for Ken Schrader's team to gain some asphalt experience. We'll just have to see where my career takes me after this year."

Adult admission for the Sharon event is $27.00, while students (9-13) are $12.00. Kids (age 8 and under) are Free.

Advance adult discount tickets, offering a savings of $10.00, are now on sale until July 20th on-line at www.sharonspeedway.com, or by calling the speedway office at 330 772-5481.

Spectator gates open at 4:00, racing begins at 6:00PM.

It's So Much Fun...So Close To Home as Sharon Speedway presents the third leg of the Alltel WoO Late Model Speedweek on Saturday, July 25th.

Sharon Speedway is located at the intersection of Routes 7 and 305 in Hartford, OH and is just a short drive from both Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Join us Saturday nights in 2009 as Sharon Speedway brings you "So Much Fun, So Close to Home!!"