“Better late than never” as the saying goes, a new team has transpired for the 2021 Little 500. With less than a month before the 73rd Annual Pay Less Little 500 presented by UAW, Pat and Patrick Rice have formed a new pavement sprint car team, Rice Racing.
Pat and Patrick Rice owners of The Tin Plate Fine Food & Spirits have been longtime supporters of racing specifically at Anderson Speedway. In addition to their support at Anderson Speedway, the Rice’s have been sponsors of Isaac Chapple’s dirt sprint car for many years.
“Conversations had started about acquiring Jason Goacher’s Sprint Car for the 2022 Little 500 a couple weeks ago,” explained Patrick Rice. “After further conversation with Jason we got a plan together to compete this year. Everything came together very quickly, but we couldn’t be more excited.”
The team purchased the chassis from longtime car owner, Jason Goacher. Goacher’s team won the 2015 Little 500 with Chris Windom behind the wheel of the 5G. Even though Goacher will no longer be the car owner, he is going to stay with team as the crew chief.
The team will campaign an Eagle Chassis originally purchased by Keith Kunz with a 410 cubic inch Mopar engine built by Claxton Engines. This is the same combination that Goacher Racing used in previous Little 500’s.
“I have dreamed of driving a sprint car myself when I was a teenager,” said Patrick Rice. “Well since racing is not an option for me anymore, ownership of a pavement sprint car racing is the next best thing. We are excited to continue our partnership with Isaac Chapple as the driver of the 27R. We couldn’t think of a better driver for our racecar or a better person to represent our business.”
Isaac Chapple has made two previous starts in the Little 500. In 2017 he drove the third Jerry Powell entry. He qualified 19th and was the second fastest qualifier on Bump Day. Chapple returned in 2018 driving the third Larry Contos entry. On both occasions the rides transpired the week of the race.
“I am actually ahead of where I have been in years past,” explained Isaac Chapple. “The car isn’t ready yet but my ride for the Little 500 is solidified. I am excited to work with Jason (Goacher) and learn from him.”
The team has set multiple goals for the 2021 race. The consensus goal from the group, is primarily to make the field. If they can achieve that goal, they want to compete the entire race.
Pat and Patrick Rice have been proud owners of the Tin Plate Fine Food & Spirits in Elwood, Indiana in 2015. The budding restaurant located on J Street in Elwood serves up delicious comfort food. Since the opening they served over 105,000 and counting of their almost famous hand breaded pork tenderloins.
The also are receiving support from Sundollar Restoration, PGG Enterprises, Goacher Racing, and Van Hoy Oil.
Purchase tickets for the 73rd Annual Pay Less Little 500 presented by UAW today on May 29. You can purchase tickets by calling (765) 642-0206 ex. 121 or stopping in the ticket office. All tickets are $40, and every seat reserved.
