November 18, 2025 – – – Billy Hicks Racing has announced that Loudon, Tennessee ace Cory Hedgecock will be driving the Billy Hicks-owned #79 in 2026. Cory will compete for the 2026 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship and Rookie of the Year. The Billy Hicks Racing #79 will also compete in select other events during the season, along with Cory also running the Chad Hedgecock-owned #23 from time-to-time.
Hedgecock is the second rookie to commit on the Lucas Oil Series next year along with 23-year-old Pennsylvanian Logan Zarin. One of 62 all-time drivers with multiple World of Outlaws Real American Late Model Series victories, Hedgecock most recently won a national tour in April 2023 at now-defunct 411 Motor Speedway formerly in Seymour, Tenn.
Hedgecock takes over the seat that Donald McIntosh just finished 10th with in his Rookie of the Year season on the Lucas Oil Series for the Hicks-owned team.
More information concerning sponsors, schedule, etc. will be released as the 2026 season nears!
###
