Rich started his racing career at Mance Park. He was a top contender on Asphalt and Dirt. In 1957 he finished 3rd in a 300 lap race at Mazon Speedbowl. In 1959 he won the Santa Fe Speedway Championship on Dirt and capped off the year by winning the season ending NCTC 200. He followed that up by winning the 1974 Kankakee Championship. On a National level, he competed at Daytona and a regular on the USAC series driving a Dodge built by Don White. He revolutionized stock car wheels when he designed the Clement Wheel, they were used nationwide in the Nascar & USAC circuits.