Larry Rice
 

This is Larry's son Robbie.

I am sorry for taking so long to let the racing community know about my dad's health. He is very private man and wanted none of his friends to worry about him. He was diagnosed with cancer at the base of the tongue in early2000. Went through surgeries, radiation and chemo to treat it and it was very successful. On a routine check up on that bout with cancer he complained of a cough and tests were run. Then it was determined that the cancer had spread to his lungs. (May 05) Since then he has taken more chemo and radiation than most could fathom. They told him then he had 6 months maybe a couple of years with the medicines that were available. Last week he hit the 4 year mark. So from him, he wants people to know that anything is possible. There is nothing more in this world besides his family that he loves more than autoracing. Whether it was the 500 in May, the champ cars at the mile or a sprint show at Terre Haute. He has made a lot of great friends there is no doubt about that. He told Bob Higman yesterday "I wouldnt change one damn thing."

Right now he is resting here at the hospital and we are trying to get his oxygen and breathing stabilizied so we can get him back home. We are hoping that can happen by weeks end. When that does happen the family would love for his friends to come see him to tell some stories (probably lies) about the good ole days and even have a beer. Untill then we ask for some privacy here at the hospital. If you have my number dont hesitate to call, I am doing my best to get back to everyone, it may take an hour or so but I promise to get back with all of you at some point. When we get more things confirmed and figured out I will post here. Since this post is from the family feel free to repost on other websites as you feel appropriate.


Thank you for your thougths from the entire Rice Family

Re: Larry Rice
 

Thank you for the update. We continue to pray for Larry and the whole family. God bless.

Re: Larry Rice
 

Thank you for the update, Robbie. Your dad and family have been in our constant thoughts and prayers this week. He has fought an amazing battle without even slowing down. If there is anything you need, let us know.

Re: Larry Rice
 

Thanks, Robbie. Thoughts and prayers go out the the entire Rice family.

Re: Larry Rice
 

Robbie,
My prayers and thoughts are with you. As someone who lost a 34 year old brother to cancer, I know just how devastating this can be. I am very thankful that you dad's been able to give it a much better battle than Carl. He had one of those coughs, but didn't get it checked out early enough. His fight was over before it began.
To anyone out there with a cough or something that just doesn't feel right please get it checked out like Larry did.
And tell a Larry Rice story today, either on this website, or to your family and friends.
Jim Morrison

Re: Larry Rice
 

Thanks for the update Robbie. We will keep your Dad and your family in our prayers.

Re: Larry Rice
 

Thank you Robbie for the update. Give your mom a big hug and let her know all her friends from Piqua have the entire Rice family in our thoughts and prayers.

Re: Larry Rice
 

Originally Posted by Bobv:
Thanks for the update Robbie. We will keep your Dad and your family in our prayers.

Thank you for the run down, be sure to tell Larry he &family are in are PRAYERS will pray real hard for you all,God bless you all. Butch Wilkerson#1 :22::22::3::8::8::8:

Re: Larry Rice
 

to Rice-a-roni, it's just another race where you have to start on the tail and battle your way to Victory, you've done it before and we know you can do it again, just never give up! damn lousy timing too because i know the Speedway is doing a big Rookie of the Year show this weekend and Larry was to be one of the honored guests. i always kid Larry when i see him and ask him who that other guy was that was Rookie of the Year the same year he won the honor at the 500 (& in case you don't know, it was Rick Mears). you guys know that if there is anything you need all you have to do is contact us. God Bless, we'll see you all soon. bob:6:

Re: Larry Rice
 

To Larry and Family: You may never know, how many people Larry has touched, and we all wish him a quick recovery, so he can continue to promote his true love. I first met Larry, when he came to our Go-Kart banquets, in the early 60's, at Columbus, In. We always looked forward to his presentations on racing, and I feel he really got a lot of respect, as well as admiration, from the old, and the new Kart Racers in attendance, with his genuine honesty, and his attention to detail, about racing, and the enjoyment it could bring. I wasn't a Spring chicken then, in fact, I was no doubt older than he was then, but his fire transfered to me, as it did to the younger ones, and it's easy to remember his talks at our banquets. Larry, I wish you well, my wife is a cancer survivor, almost so long ago, it's hard to remember when, but she was first diagnosed in 1965, around the time you were coming to our banquets, God Bless you, and thanks, you'll be in our thoughts and prayers. Bob McClure

Re: Larry Rice
 

Thoughts and prayers with the rice family through these tough times

Re: Larry Rice
 

Robbie, I first saw your father drive back in the late '60s when he was driving your grandfather's midget, probably even before he began to sport those unique hats at race tracks everywhere. God Bless him and your family.

Re: Larry Rice
 

damn.....:(

Re: Larry Rice
 

Robbie, Thanks for the update!

Re: Larry Rice
 

Robbie, thanks for the update and the Gilbert family will keep Larry and the entire family in our thoughts and prayers.

Re: Larry Rice
 

People like Larry never have a clue how they touch people's lives over the years. I am sure he would just tell you he was just "doing my job", but it really isn't like that at all. Through the power of TV, radio, and the like, people feel like they know you, even if they have never met you. I personally have never met Larry, but feel like he is almost like a friend because of his media exposure. I wish only the best for him and his family. God Bless you all !!!

Re: Larry Rice
 

My fondist memory of Larry was the 1982 Indy 500. We were trying to get Gary Irvin Qualified in what was called a Lyons Chassie, built by Jackie Howerton. Could not get the thing to handle at all ( A lead sled) to be precise. Any how Donnie Ray and Gary ask Larry to shake it down
after a week and half of trying to get up to speed. He agreed, if I'm not having memory loss his words where after several laps was, it will make a great show peace. So the night before the race, Larry, Larry Burtons son, and Myself barowed Bob Harkeys trailer (without Bobs permission) loaded up the show peace, and off to the east side we went. The whole episode was comical to say the least, Larry you will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Robbie, I'll tell you the whole story some day soon.
Dave Gansert

Re: Larry Rice
 

Robbie,

Thanks for the update. Even though I have never met your dad, he will always remain in my thoughts from the Thursday Night Thunder Series with Gary Lee. He was a great analyst and he was also an outstanding driver. Hope that by the weekend he is home and on the road to recovery.

Re: Larry Rice
 

Robbie,

We will keep your dad in our thoughts and prayers.

The Kokomo Speedway

Re: Larry Rice
 

Robbie - prayers and positive vibes coming Larry's way - and for the whole family.
Bill Baker

Re: Larry Rice
 

I talked to Larry for a few moments at the Chili Bowl. As always he was upbeat.

The thing I always remember about Larrys' driving is that he wasn't the flashiest driver or the most spectacular, but he was almost always a factor for the win. Never the universal hands down, gonna win favorite, but always in the hunt and won more than his share. A true championship caliber driver.

To me that is the upmost compliment. He was a no-frills professional that always brought the car home in the money. A car owners dream. There are many drivers today that could look at a career like the one Larry had and use it as a guide book for a successful driving career.

A perfect mix of personality and professionalism. Great guy. Best wishes Larry.

Re: Larry Rice
 

My thoughts and prayers are with you guys. Keep your chins up, it will work out.

Bob Shutt

Re: Larry Rice
 

I have known Larry for 40 years since we both started in the USAC Midget Division in the late 60's.. As others have said, Larry is no doubt the "Gold Standard" when it comes to being a nice guy. Beyond that he has always been near the top of the list of "just plain good drivers".

We will remain optimistic about his recovery as that is in God's hands, not ours. We continue to keep Larry and the family in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you, Robbie, for keeping us all informed.

Re: Larry Rice
 

Keep diggin' Larry Rice! My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I had the pleasure of only meeting him one time back in the late 90's at Memphis and he talked with me for a few minutes like he knew me and I came away thinking that he was one hell of a nice guy. He could of just blew me off like so many others will do. I hope the best for him and his family.

Re: Larry Rice
 

Here's a few photos of Larry taken last year at a vintage race meet at the "Ekka" in Brisbane,Queensland,Australia.

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/t...qral/rice1.jpg

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/t...sqral/rice.jpg

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/t...qral/rice2.jpg

Re: Larry Rice
 

Larry & family: please know each of you are in the prayers of many people.
I had the wonderful fortune to work with Larry and learned so much from him. His kindness is genuine
and he always seems to be more than willing to help others succeed.
A couple of laps around Winchester Speedway with him as he was driving the 'jeep' was one of the
highlights of my life (not too fast but definetly FUN!).
God bless, Sally Martin

Re: Larry Rice
 

Update:

Dad has made it home! The whole family would like to thank everyone for the kind words of support. We ask anyone wanting to come visit to either pm here or call before hand to make sure he is up for a visit. Thank you all for understanding.

Robbie Rice

Re: Larry Rice
 

Originally Posted by STIDA.com:
Update:

Dad has made it home! The whole family would like to thank everyone for the kind words of support. We ask anyone wanting to come visit to either pm here or call before hand to make sure he is up for a visit. Thank you all for understanding.

Robbie Rice

Thanks for the update Robbie. Glad that he is home and on the road to recovery.:6:

Re: Larry Rice
 

Robbie, Thanks for the updates and the good news! Our prayers will continue to go out to your dad and entire family.

Mickey Dale

Re: Larry Rice
 

My Larry Rice story occurred in the early 80s, when the Champ Dirt Cars were rained out at Williams Grove. A dozen or so of us climbed into Billy Cassella's motor home and drove to the Penn National horse track, where former driving great Mitch Smith was the manager. During the ride, one of the car owners told us how much he knew about horses and how he'd help us bet.

Mitch sat us at prime tables in the club house, and we ordered dinner. I took a look at the racing program and pointed out to Larry, who was sitting beside me, that a jockey named Wayne Rice was riding in more than half the races. Larry said he knew nothing about horses, but since Wayne must be a distant relative, he'd bet on him. I agreed.

As you can guess, Larry and I did quite well. Meanwhile, the "expert" car owner, who sat directly opposite us, spent the evening muttering about "junk horses", and losing money. We chuckled all weekend at his expense. :-)

Re: Larry Rice
 

I watched Larry race every season he came down to New Zealand,he was great to watch sliding round our dirt quarter mile,always spectacular and clean..!!!
He won a fair few races and features,if my memory serves me right he won the presteges 1977 World 30 lap Derby.
He was always available after in the pits to talk racing.
When he gets back on his feet Robbie,ask him about the big one he lost,way out in front in the biggest Feature race of our season,the 50 lap classic,he eased off with too much confidence,Sleepy Tripp powered his way up from a long way back and just got Larry at the line.On the last lap with Tripp closing you could have heard the 20,000 plus crowd yelling for Larry back in Indiana....:)
He would have been the most popular winner.
There have been a few great drivers from the U.S who have not won the race,Larry Rice being the top name on the list.
Recently of course ,during his Indy 500 commentaries,he would always say hello to his friends in New Zealand and Australia,that was special to us down under.
The word will get around quickly here and we will all want to give Larry and his family our best wishes and caring thoughts.

Re: Larry Rice
 

This was a thread I didn't open for a while not knowing much about Larry other than seeing him on TV a couple times. In vids and a couple four crowns.

I really hate to hear this news, I will pray and hope for the best that he and your family can find comfort and if healing is possible. It will be by the grace of GOD.

Everyone is put on Earth for a reason, Larrys certainly is to enrich peoples lives. (Unlike me who ticks everybody off) Get well Larry!

Thanks for your update and best wishes to Larry and Family.

Re: Larry Rice
 

Thanks Robbie for the Update. I am the great neice of Bob Higman. My bloomington family is sad to hear about your dad's Illness. I grew up watching your dad race and all the other wonderful things he has done in his racing career! Best wishes to Larry and the entire Rice Family!

Re: Larry Rice
 

Thanks for the updates. Met your mom some years ago, as I have tickets next to her group for the 500. Work schedule does not allow me to go this year, but will the thinking of your family through the coming days.

Roy Lauck
Chamberlain SD

Re: Larry Rice
 

Thanks for the updates, Robbie.

We will pray for your dad's complete recovery.


Gregg and Mary Sauer

Re: Larry Rice
 

Robbie, Thanks for the updates on your dad. We have prayed for him and with him over the last several years. You all are continually in our thoughts and prayers.

Dave and Brenda Cochran

Re: Larry Rice
 

Robbie- I have been around Midget-Sprints-Champ Dirt Cars for more than 40 years. You're Dad was 1 of
the greats over the years. His announcing was awesome! I pray he will get well soon! I will miss him at the
"Hoosier 100" among other races!
Best Regards,
John:)

Re: Larry Rice
 

Thanks for the update on your Father, like Englehart, I've known him since the mid sixties. He's been a good friend and has always been a fine person. I've done business with him and could always take his word.
He's helped me out many times on business matters. I'd like to come down from Michigan to visit with him.

Re: Larry Rice
 

Robbie, my thoughts and prayers are with your Dad and your family.

Patti

Re: Larry Rice
 

It is great to hear that Larry is at home....He has really given cancer quite a fight for years now.

Thanks Robbie and Larry for promoting the STIDA Insurance. I last saw Larry in your booth at the Circle Track Swapmeet.

On a side note, I was at Arizona Sports Shirts in Gasoline Alley before I heard about this and saw a Larry Rice t-shirt there. Truly a legend in racing and business, plus one of the nicest people you will meet.

Best,
Tony Barhorst
rumbleseries.com