Bobby Pierce Scores Emotional Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Win At Tri-City

Story By: JAMES ESSEX / LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES – GRANITE CITY, IL – Bobby Pierce scored his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season on Friday night at Tri-City Speedway.

The 21-year-old returned to his home state for the first time this season and led all 50 laps on his way to win the RockAuto.com Busch 50 – presented by Campbell University. Pierce withstood a late-race challenge from Tim McCreadie to become the eighth different winner on the tour in 2018. McCreadie finished in second, followed by Jimmy Owens, Kyle Bronson, and Brian Shirley.

Pierce’s win came just one week after the Dunn Benson Motorsports patriarch and car owner, Carlton Lamm passed away. Joined by his team and family, an emotional victory lane took place after claiming his sixth career LOLMDS win.

After tonight’s win, Pierce moves to sixth in the championship standings on his first full-year on the LOLMDS tour. “When you race on the Lucas Oil Series, these guys are the best there is. I really wanted to get that win for Big C. I know he’s up there watching. Just a big thanks to everyone, especially my crew they have worked so hard. It’s been a week to 10 days. Thanks for my sponsors for sticking with me, and thanks to all the fans for coming out tonight.”

Pierce dominated most of the race, which saw only one caution flag in the early stages. Over the last half of the race, Pierce battle fiercely with lapped traffic, which allowed several drivers to close the gap on him. Bronson took a shot at the top groove but lost two spots as McCreadie and Owens moved by him. McCreadie then closed in on Pierce, but could not get by as Pierce held his groove on the bottom of the track. McCreadie had one last chance heading to the checkered flag as Pierce drifted up ever so slightly coming off of turn four, but Pierce had enough momentum to take the win.

“It seems like that was the longest race I have ever run,” said the winner afterwards. “I kind of wanted a caution towards the end to clear out the track. I didn’t think anyone would have a chance to pass me on the outside. My experience here at this track was crucial; sometimes it all comes down to qualifying. That’s where a lot of races are won or lost. After hot laps I was a little bit worried. I went out there and qualified by setting fast time. Starting up front was better than starting in the second row.”

McCreadie’s Sweeteners Plus, Longhorn recorded its best series finish of the year as he continues to make gains in the championship point standings. “We have had a really good car lately. I tried to make the cushion work early on, but it was going away quickly. I wish I had gotten to second about ten laps earlier, and then I think I would have had a better shot at him [Pierce].”

Jimmy Owens’ Ramirez Motorsports, E3 Spark Plugs, Rocket took a podium finish coming home in third place. “Our car wouldn’t fire early on, but after that one caution it seemed to go a lot better. We got up to third and pretty much rode it out from there. We had some tough luck last weekend, but it feels good to get a good finish tonight,” said the three-time series champion.

The winner’s Dunn-Benson Ford Motorsports, Rocket has a Pro Power Racing Engine and is sponsored by: Campbell University, Allgayer Inc, Hoker Trucking, Premier Waste Services, Berger’s Marina, Sunoco, and Advanced Racing Suspensions.

Completing the top ten were Jonathan Davenport, Darrell Lanigan, Chris Simpson, Don O’Neal, and Billy Drake.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Friday, April 27th, 2018
RockAuto.com Busch 50 – presented by Campbell University
Tri-City Speedway – Granite City, IL

Miller Welders Time Trials
Fast Time Group A: Bobby Pierce / 14.810 seconds (overall)
Fast Time Group B: Scott Bloomquist / 15.305 seconds

Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Bobby Pierce, Brian Shirley, Chris Simpson, Josh Richards, Hudson O’Neal, Frank Heckenast, Jr., Shannon Babb, Gregg Satterlee, Michael Hammerle

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Jimmy Owens, Tim Manville, Darrell Lanigan, Dennis Erb, Jr., Earl Pearson, Jr., Jason Feger, Mason Zeigler, Jimmy Mars

Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Nick Hoffman, Scott Bloomquist, Michael Kloos, Jonathan Davenport, Gordy Gundaker, Daryn Klein, Rusty Griffaw, Jeremy Sneed, Reid Millard

QA1 Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Kyle Bronson, Tim McCreadie, Don O’Neal, Billy Drake, Kolby Vandenbergh, Tanner English, Austin Rettig, Billy Laycock

Penske Racing Shocks B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Hudson O’Neal, Earl Pearson, Jr., Frank Heckenast, Jr., Jason Feger, Mason Zeigler, Shannon Babb, Gregg Satterlee, Michael Hammerle, Jimmy Mars-DNS

FAST Shafts B-Main #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Kolby Vandenbergh, Tanner English, Austin Rettig, Gordy Gundaker, Daryn Klein, Rusty Griffaw, Jeremy Sneed, Billy Laycock, Reid Millard-DNS

Lucas Oil Feature Finish (50 Laps):

FINISH	START	CAR #	DRIVER NAME	HOMETOWN	EARNINGS
1	1	32	Bobby Pierce	Oakwood, IL	$12,800
2	8	39	Tim McCreadie	Watertown, NY	$6,200
3	3	20	Jimmy Owens	Newport, TN	$4,300
4	4	40B	Kyle Bronson	Brandon, FL	$3,550
5	5	3s	Brian Shirley	Chatham, IL	$2,250
6	14	49	Jonathan Davenport	Blairsville, GA	$2,700
7	11	14	Darrell Lanigan	Union, KY	$2,200
8	9	32S	Chris Simpson	Oxford, IA	$1,300
9	12	5	Don O’Neal	Martinsville, IN	$2,000
10	16	75	Billy Drake	Bloomington, IL	$1,100
11	2	2H	Nick Hoffman	Mooresville, NC	$1,075
12	6	0	Scott Bloomquist	Mooresburg, TN	$1,850
13	13	1R	Josh Richards	Shinnston, WV	$2,025
14	10	6K	Michael Kloos	Trenton, IL	$1,000
15	21	99JR	Frank Heckenast, Jr.	Frankfort, IL	$1,000
16	19	1	Earl Pearson, Jr.	Jacksonville, FL	$1,800
17	22	94	Austin Rettig	Sikeston, MO	$1,000
18	24	25Z	Mason Zeigler	Chalk Hill, PA	$1,000
19	15	28	Dennis Erb, Jr.	Carpentersville, IL	$1,000
20	26	11G	Gordy Gundaker	St. Charles, MO	$1,000
21	18	15V	Kolby Vandenbergh	Ashland, IL	$1,000
22	25	82	Billy Laycock	Marine, IL	$1,000
23	23	22	Gregg Satterlee	Indiana, PA	$1,700
24	17	71	Hudson O’Neal	Martinsville, IN	$1,700
25	7	33T	Tim Manville	St. Jacob, IL	$1,000
26	20	33	Tanner English	Benton, KY	$1,000