RPW Exclusive: Bobby Pierce Takes Lucas Oil MLRA Slocum 50 Victory
Column By: ROBERT SYMONDS / RPW – WEST BURLINGTON, IA – One of the more bigger events at the 34 Raceway, the 11th Annual Slocum 50, seemed like an even bigger event with the likes of Shannon Babb, Brandon Sheppard, Kyle Bronson, and even Bobby Pierce in the pit area. A total of 37 late models lined the pit area for the Lucas Oil MLRA Late Model Series.
Chad Simpson grabbed qualifying’s best time with a 15.296 around the 3/8th mile semi-banked clay oval. Winning qualifying heats was Chad Simpson, Ryan Unzicker, Shannon Babb, and Bobby Pierce while Kyle Bronson and Jesse Stovall won last chance qualifiers.
In the Slocum 50, front row starters Chad Simpson and Shannon Babb set the place but it was Babb who would have the early race advantage. Babb would lead the field for 28 laps while Simpson and Pierce stayed in tow. Babb would lost the top spot to Simpson while Pierce came back to battle Babb for the runner up position.
On lap 32, Pierce would take over the 2nd position leaving himself barely enough time to try and catch Simpson. Simpson had stretched the lead out to about 2 seconds or more over the Pro Power Racing Engines 32. While battling lap traffic, Pierce was able to slide past Simpson and a lap car to take over the race lead with only 7 laps remaining.
The 22 year old driver from Oakwood Illinois was able to pull away from Simpson and take his 3rd Slocum 50 win along with his seventh win of 2019. Simpson finished 2nd while Babb finished 3rd.
Lucas Oil MLRA Series – 34 Raceway “Slocum 50” – April 20, 2019
Slocum 50 (50 laps): Bobby Pierce, Chad Simpson, Shannon Babb, Chris Simpson, Ryan Unzicker, Garrett Alberson, Dennis Erb Jr, Will Vaught, Chase Junghans, Jesse Stovall, Jordan Yaggy, Hudson O’Neal, Mitch McGrath, J.C. Wyman, Logan Martin, Jay Johnson, Brian Shirley, Dave Eckrich, Tyler Erb, Brandon Sheppard, Kyle Bronson, Jeremy Grady, Rickey Frankel, Payton Looney
Lap Leaders: Shannon Babb 1-28, Chris Simpson 29-42, Bobby Pierce 43-50
