 Richmond returned to racing sprint cars in the United States Automobile Club 's ( <unk> ) national sprint car tour in 1978 . <unk> in 12 races , he finished 30th in points as the series ' Rookie of the Year . That year he attended Jim Russell 's road racing school at <unk> Springs International <unk> Park , setting a student course record . Richmond raced in a 1978 Mini <unk> car event at Phoenix International <unk> , winning the Formula Super <unk> support event in a <unk> <unk> . The win attracted sponsors and attention from major owners like Roger <unk> . He also competed in <unk> 's Silver Crown series . 
