Trio Set To Battle For Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series’ Rookie Of The Year Title In ’25
Story By: LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES – BATAVIA, OH – 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
