UNION, KY (April 12, 2025) – Picking up where he left off two weeks after winning the Spring 50 Josh Rice of Crittenden, KY returned to the Florence Speedway victory lane on Saturday Night capturing his second straight Northern Allstars Late Model Dirt Series Powered by Sunoco Race Fuels main event. With the win Rice has now won 13 races since 2021 at Florence with winnings nearing the $100,000 mark.
Rice, the 2-time and defending NALMS champion pocketed $5,000 as he went wire-to-wire for second career series victory. Michael Chilton in the Danny Hatcher-owned #6 finished in second followed by Rod Conley, Devin Gilpin, and Trevor Landrum.
Rice and front-row starter Jason Jameson would lead the field to green in the 40-lap race, but Jameson’s race would again end early for the second straight race as he slowly limped to a stop before a lap was complete with rear end damage to his car as the field had to evasive action to avoid the Lawrenceburg, Indiana racer as he would bring out the first caution of the race.
On the next restart Derek Groomer had moved to the outside of the front row would see his race end prematurely just has he had moved in the second place running order with one lap scored as he slowed after picking up debris from Jameson’s car which caused his car to lose coolant. Groomer headed to the hot pit, but unfortunately his night was over after one lap was complete.
Chilton then moved into second after starting fifth on the grid. Chilton followed Rice to the top shelf of the track and several times Chilton could get a run on Rice off of turn two especially after restarts, but he was never able to get close enough to make the pass for the lead.
A caution with 11 laps to go would bunch the field one final time as Rice and Chilton were setting up for a final run, but in the waning laps Rice was able to distance himself from his fellow Bluegrass State driver as he took the checkers 3.136 seconds ahead of him.
In Sunoco Race Fuels Victory Lane Rice continued his solid start to the season in the Midwest with two NALMS wins, a second and a fifth in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series competition in March as he now holds a 10-points lead over Devin Gilpin in the Chase for the Steve Barnett trophy and the $10,000 to win championship.
“I have got to thank Tim McWhorter for Sunoco and everything they do for me. We had a 24-hour road trip this week to Nebraska to get a new generator for the truck. I was more worried about the generator than I was the race car. The car was good all night. I hot lapped and I guess I busted a right front shock in that hole two weeks ago, because I was horrible hot lapping. I put a new right front shock on there. I just never could get going again the last two or three restarts and luckily I was good enough to hold Chilton off. I knew he was going to be banging the boards with me.”
Completing the top ten were Billy Green, Seth Daniels, Dustin Nobbe, R.J. Conley, and J.R. Gentry, who in his first-ever appearance at Florence earned the Todd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race.
The winner’s Rick Jones-Owned Team Sunesis Rocket Chassis is powered by a Jay Dickens Racing Engine and sponsored by Sunesis Construction, Air Max Heating and Cooling, Chain Locker, MC Tank, Rice Excavating and Plumbing, Impact Race Gear, Glenwood Electric, Inc., Integra Racing Shocks, and Sunoco Race Fuels.
Race Summary
Florence Speedway
Union, Kentucky
April 12, 2025
Entries: 35
Lap Leaders: Josh Rice 1-40
Florence WinWater Supply Fastest Qualifier: Josh Rice
Heat Race Winners: Josh Rice, David Webb, Jason Jameson, and Derek Groomer
B-Main Winner: Tyler Collins
Todd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race: J.R. Gentry (started 23rd and finished 10th) advanced 3 positions
Arizona Sport Shirts Rookie of the Race: Billy Green
Northern Allstars Late Model Dirt Series Powered by Sunoco Race Fuels Feature Finish:
- Josh Rice (Crittenden, KY)
- Michael Chilton (Salvisa, KY)
- Rod Conley (Wheelersburg, OH)
- Devin Gilpin (Columbus, IN)
- Trevor Landrum (Florence, KY)
- Billy Green (Walton, KY)
- Seth Daniels (Jackson, OH)
- Dustin Nobbe (Batesville, IN)
- R.J. Conley (Wheelersburg, OH)
- J.R. Gentry (Wooster, OH)
- Tyler Neal (Paragon, IN)
- Ethan Toedter (DeMossville, KY)
- Austin Lay (Florence, KY)
- David Webb (Nicholasville, KY)
- Tyler Collins (North Vernon, IN)
- Miles Cook II (Wheelersburg, OH)
- Rob Anderzack (Swanton, OH)
- Mike Hildebrand (Goshen, OH)
- Ryan Markham (Ashland, OH)
- Brandon Hardgrove (Burnside, KY)
- Dustin Shoulders (Coatesville, IN)
- Derek Groomer (Bloomington, IN)
- Kirk Phillips (Ashland, KY)
- Jason Jameson (Lawrenceburg, IN)
Northern Allstars Late Model Dirt Series Powered by Sunoco Race Fuels Current Championship Point Standings
After 2 events, As of April 13, 2025
- Josh Rice (Crittenden, KY) – 400
- Devin Gilpin (Columbus, IN) – 390
- Billy Green (Walton, KY) – 382
- Rod Conley (Wheelersburg, OH) – 378
- Seth Daniels (Jackson, OH) – 372
- Michael Chilton (Salvisa, KY) – 370
- Dustin Nobbe (Batesville, IN) – 364
- David Webb (Nicholasville, KY) – 360
- Trevor Landrum (Florence, KY) – 360
- Tyler Collins (North Vernon, IN) – 352
Arizona Sport Shirts Rookie of the Year Point Standings
1. Billy Green (Walton, KY) – 382
2. Austin Lay (Florence, KY) – 342
3. Derek Groomer (Bloomington, IN) – 332
4. Tucker Chastain (Mitchell, IN) – 272
5. Dustin Shoulders (Coatesville, IN) – 260
6. Jake Leitzman (Paragon, IN) – 200
7. Matt Gifford (Rensselaer, IN) – 200
8. Keegan Cox (Franklin, IN) – 200
9. Wade Davis (New Richmond, OH) – 200
10. P.J. Simpson (Berry, KY) – 200
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