News Director 
Story By: LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES – BATAVIA, OH – Despite an early exit in Saturday’s Dirt Track World Championship at Eldora Speedway, Drake Troutman capped off his first year on tour with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series by claiming the 2024 O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year honors.
“It’s been an incredible experience,” Troutman said. “We knew going into this season there would be a lot of learning to do, but I think it was a success. I just need to thank everyone who helps out and plays a role on my team. All my crew guys, my mom, and all my sponsors; this season has been a total team effort. I am looking forward to the future.”
In his debut season with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Troutman achieved his first national touring win at Lernerville Speedway on June 21. The 19-year-old also secured third place in one of the season’s premier events, the Sunoco North/South 100 held at Florence Speedway on August 10; Troutman’s season included five top-five performances and 15 top-ten finishes.
Troutman will receive an industry-leading $20,000 for his O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year title and over $10,000 in valuable products from various industry manufacturers including Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Earnhardt Technologies Group, Fast Shafts, FOX Shocks, Keyser Manufacturing, MD3, Pro Fabrication Headers, Poske’s Performance Parts, Schoenfeld Headers, Slicker Graphics, Simpson Race Products, Strange Oval, Summit Racing Equipment, Swift Springs, Thermo-Tec, Wieland Metal Services, Wilwood Brakes, and PEM Racing.
Troutman’s DTR Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Jay Dickens Racing Engine and sponsored by Wheeler Fleet Solutions, RFI Resources, XS Batteries, Shaffer Construction, Shoe’s Diesel Performance, Stone Natural Resources, Glassmere Fuel Service, D&R Trucking, Thunderhill Trucking, Rice Tire, Smith Warehouse, Coltman Farms Racing, Claar’s Notary, ABC Supply Company, CertainTeed, Jerry’s Siding, Roofing & Widows, Bilstein Shocks, Slicker Graphics, Arizona Sports Shirts, Brinn Transmission, Sunoco Race Fuels, NGK Spark Plugs, Willy’s Carburetors.
Clay Harris finished second in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year chase followed by Brenden Smith, Carson Ferguson, and Cory Lawler.
