Kenny Wallace’s emotional reaction to Josh Rice victory at Eldora Speedway became the highlight of Friday night’s racing, as the seasoned former NASCAR driver paid tribute to Rice’s stirring performance during the 31st Dirt Late Model Dream. The powerful display of emotion from both drivers underscores a defining night at this famed Ohio dirt track, capturing the attention of the racing community.
Josh Rice Achieves a Milestone Victory at Eldora
On a rain-delayed Friday evening, 26-year-old Josh Rice delivered a breakout performance, clinching the preliminary feature win at the 31st edition of the Dirt Late Model Dream. This accomplishment marked his seventh win of 2025—and notably, his fifth triumph in the last six races—underscoring a strong surge in the current dirt late model season. Rice’s ability to outpace leading competitor Bobby Pierce, along with the prize of $30,000, cemented his standing among the sport’s rising stars.
However, it was the young driver’s unfiltered display of emotion that left a lasting impression. After securing the victory, Rice struggled to contain his tears. He expressed his feelings to the crowd and media directly:
“I thought (Indiana’s) Brownstown (Speedway) was hard to win at, this place is damn near impossible to win at. Especially to do it over the 32, he wins every damn weekend. We’ve been good here recently. Good thing we hot lapped again. I’m glad it rained out (Thursday) because I probably would have never won this deal.”
—Josh Rice, Driver
Rice continued, sharing his astonishment at their strategy paying off:
“We hot lapped there and wasn’t very good, threw what we knew was going to be close. Honestly, we didn’t know if it was going to be close or not, but it worked — $30,000 holy s**t!”
—Josh Rice, Driver
Kenny Wallace Responds with Heartfelt Praise
Kenny Wallace, whose love of racing remains strong even after his NASCAR days, was particularly moved by Rice’s emotional reaction. Wallace, having seen his share of significant moments throughout his Busch Series career, took to social media to share his admiration for Rice’s achievement:
“I am emotional watching, Josh Rice cry after his first win at @EldoraSpeedway.. Congratulations, team #GottaWanna.”
—Kenny Wallace, Former NASCAR Driver
The genuine excitement and pride from Wallace resonated with fans, highlighting the sense of community and mutual respect among competitors at all levels of the sport. His response also drew attention to the determination required for young drivers like Rice to reach the top against established names such as Bobby Pierce.
Race Details and What Awaits in the Dream Finale
Rice’s victory was not only significant for its prize but for how it was achieved. While balancing his commitment to a full-time night shift at DHL, Rice demonstrated both grit and racing intelligence, taking advantage of a lap-41 restart to surge past Pierce and ultimately secure victory by more than four seconds. His efforts also earned him the second-highest points total in the Dream’s preliminary events, putting him in a strong position for the main event.
Looking ahead, Rice will start fourth in Saturday’s second heat race after a four-car inversion. A win in his heat would earn him a spot in the top five on the grid for the 100-lap main event; finishing second or third would see him start mid-pack, either eighth or fourteenth. Regardless of his starting position, Rice has established himself as a serious contender, with eyes set on adding another chapter to his emerging legacy at the Dirt Late Model Dream.
This emotional breakthrough not only highlights Rice’s personal journey but also the strong sense of camaraderie and admiration within the racing world, as exemplified by Kenny Wallace’s heartfelt salute. The stage is now set for a thrilling showdown, with Josh Rice carrying momentum and support as one of the top prospects to watch at Eldora Speedway.
