4/30/2025
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Trio Set to Battle for O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year Title
BATAVIA, Ohio (April 30, 2025) – In 2025, a trio of rising dirt late model stars have declared their intent to chase the O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing.
Dan Ebert of Lake Shore, MN, is a racing enthusiast who has experienced every type of steering wheel or handlebar imaginable while growing up. His passion and dedication have taken him through various avenues of racing: BMX, Motocross, Snocross, and Dirt Car Racing, which have earned him numerous awards. After achieving success in recent years with the United States Modified Touring Series, Ebert aims to leverage that experience in his quest with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing in 2025.
Daniel Hilsabeck leads the O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year standings. The Earlham, IA, native has been a regular on the Lucas Oil Midwest Latemodel Racing Association (MLRA) for several years, finishing in the top five in championship standings for two consecutive seasons, in addition to his Rookie of the Year title in 2022. Hilsabeck achieved a career-best finish with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing in 2024, a sixth-place run in the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals. Hilsabeck now focuses on finding success on the national scene in 2025 and beyond.
Donald McIntosh of Dawsonville, GA began racing quarter midgets at age five. Eventually, McIntosh moved up to Mini Cup and the Legend Cars, where he gained valuable mechanical experience. In 2010, McIntosh made the leap to a dirt late model and just one year later claimed track championships at both Dixie and Rome Speedways. McIntosh quickly became a standout in the Southeast, accumulating numerous victories and regional championships, including two-time and defending Southern Nationals Series titles. McIntosh looks forward to his opportunity to battle with the nation’s top drivers in his chase for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year.
The top rookie driver will once again earn an industry-high $20,000. Along with their cash award, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year will receive various product awards valued at over $18,000. In addition to the cash and product awards to the Rookie of the Year, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing will pay a $100 bonus to the highest finishing rookie driver in each feature event.
2025 Rookie of the Year Product Awards:
Dave Warren Powersports - Pit Bike
Fire Suppression Engineering (FSE) - Complete Fire System
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse - $500 Product Certificate
Brodix - $100 Product Certificate
Diversified Machine Inc (DMI) - $500 Product Certificate
Fast Shafts - One (1) Free Drive Shaft
FOX Shocks - One (1) Set of Shocks (Valued at $6,000)
Keyser Manufacturing - $500 Product Certificate
MD3 - $500 Product Certificate
MSD - $250 Product Certificate
ProFabrication Headers - One (1) Set of Headers (Valued at $2,500)
Schoenfeld Headers - $500 Product Certificate
Slicker Graphics - One (1) Free Wrap
Simpson Race Products - $250 Product Certificate
Strange Oval - $500 Product Certificate
Summit Racing Equipment - $250 Product Certificate
Swift Springs - One (1) Set of Springs (Valued at $500)
Thermo-Tech - $500 Product Certificate
Wehrs Machine - $250 Product Certificate
Wieland - Ten (10) Sheets of Aluminum (Valued at $1,000)
Wilwood Brakes - $250 Product Certificate
Xceldyne - $500 Product Certificate
The runner-up in this season’s Rookie of the Year chase will earn $5,000 and a $500 product certificate from Performance Engineering & Manufacturing (PEM).
Third place in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year receives $2,500.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year Standings:
Pos - Car # - Competitor - Hometown - Points - Gap
1 - 22 - Daniel Hilsabeck - Earlham, IA - 1,605 - Leader
2 - 79 - Donald McIntosh - Dawsonville, GA - 1,550 - -55
3 - 60 - Dan Ebert - Lake Shore, MN - 1,440 - -165
For the latest news, results, championship standings, and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing, please visit www.lucasdirt.com.
About O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.
O’Reilly Auto Parts began in 1957 in Springfield, Missouri, with 13 team members. From the beginning, the O’Reilly Culture has been the foundation for our approach to everything, from our relationships with our team members, customers, business partners, and the communities where we live, work, and serve to our ongoing engagement with our stakeholders.
We are the dominant auto parts retailer in all of our market areas. From our roots as a single store in 1957 to our current size of more than 6,300 stores across 48 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada (and growing), we’ve come a long way.
Visit the Company’s website at www.OReillyAuto.com for additional information about O’Reilly, including access to online shopping and current promotions, store locations, hours, services, employment opportunities, and other programs.
Submitted By: Jeremy Shields
