BATAVIA, Ohio — A season highlighted by a breakthrough crown jewel victory and a seventh-place finish in the national championship standings has earned Josh Rice the 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year title with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
The Crittenden, Kentucky driver recorded three victories, 14 top five finishes, and 24 top 10 finishes during his first full season on the tour. Rice finished ahead of fellow rookie Dillon McCowan to secure the award.
“It’s cool obviously. There are a lot of people that’s won this Rookie of the Year deal,” Rice said during the season-ending award presentation. Reflecting on the year, Rice credited car owner James Rattliff’s commitment and acknowledged the challenges and rewards of completing his first national touring season.
The defining moment of Rice’s campaign came August 8 at Florence Speedway, where he captured the 44th Annual Sunoco Race Fuels North/South 100 Presented by Lucas Oil. Racing in front of his home crowd, Rice prevailed in a dramatic battle with Jonathan Davenport, leading the final two laps to claim the $75,000 victory – the richest of his career.
That triumph capped a memorable weekend at Florence, following a preliminary feature victory the previous night. Earlier in the season, Rice reached Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Victory Lane in the Cowboy Classic at Lucas Oil Speedway, leading the final six laps to earn the $10,000 payday.
Behind the wheel of the James Rattliff-owned JRR Motorsports No. 11, Rice paired a Rocket Chassis with Vic Hill Racing Engines power. His program received support from Glenwood Electric, The KAG, Rice Excavating and Plumbing, Sunoco Race Fuels, and a dedicated group of team partners.
Rice’s rookie title adds a season-long accomplishment to a year already marked by the biggest victory of his career, establishing the Kentucky driver among the leading competitors on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
Rice will receive an industry-leading $20,000 for his O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year title, along with over $10,000 in valuable products from various industry manufacturers.
