Bobby Pierce entered the weekend having not scored a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win during the 2018 season.
The 21-year-old changed that statistic, however, as he scored a pair of home state victories. The first came at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois on Friday, followed on Saturday night at Macon Speedway in Macon, Illinois.
On Friday night at Tri-City Speedway, Pierce took the win after holding off a late race charge from Tim McCredie.
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 series win.
“When you race on the Lucas Oil Series, these guys are the best there is,” said Pierce. “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 Pierce. “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.”
Jimmy Owens finished in third, followed by Kyle Bronson in fourth and Brian Shirley in fifth.
Blairsville, Georgia’s Jonathan Davenport, Darrell Lanigan, Chris Simpson, Don O’Neal, and Billy Drake rounded out the top ten.
On Saturday night, Pierce held off a fierce challenge Ryan Unzicker to win at Macon Speedway.
Unzicker briefly took the lead coming off of turn number four on lap 93, but Pierce battled back, regaining the top spot a lap later. Pierce held off Unzicker on the final lap to score the win.
“Heading into the weekend I didn’t think I would win two races, said Pierce. “If I did win one I thought it might be here. I got a little nervous there in traffic and then I hit the wall coming out of turn four. I think Big C was looking down on me after that.
“Man, I am glad to be back home. We go to so many tracks this year that I have never been to before. You have got to have laps at these tracks and fortunately the last two nights that was the case. There is nothing that compares to this track. Just glad to get these wins, thanks to all my crew, family and sponsors.”
Shannon Babb took third, with Davenport in fourth and Josh Richards in fifth.
McCreadie, Owens, Don O’Neal, Hudson O’Neal, and Jason Feger rounded out the top ten.
For more info on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, visit LucasDirt.com.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Tri-City Speedway – Granite City, IL
RockAuto.com Busch 50 – April 27, 2018
| 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 |
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Macon Speedway – Macon, IL
St. Louis U-Pic-A-Part 100 – April 28, 2018
| FINISH | START | CAR # | DRIVER NAME | HOMETOWN | EARNINGS |
| 1 | 2 | 32 | Bobby Pierce | Oakwood, IL | $12,700 |
| 2 | 6 | 24 | Ryan Unzicker | El Paso, IL | $5,500 |
| 3 | 1 | 18 | Shannon Babb | Mowequa, IL | $3,500 |
| 4 | 3 | 49 | Jonathan Davenport | Blairsville, GA | $3,650 |
| 5 | 4 | 1R | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | $3,350 |
| 6 | 7 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | $2,500 |
| 7 | 5 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | $2,300 |
| 8 | 16 | 5 | Don O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | $2,100 |
| 9 | 17 | 71 | Hudson O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | $1,900 |
| 10 | 19 | 25F | Jason Feger | Bloomington, IL | $1,100 |
| 11 | 10 | 99JR | Frank Heckenast, Jr. | Frankfort, IL | $1,075 |
| 12 | 8 | 14 | Darrell Lanigan | Union, KY | $1,750 |
| 13 | 9 | 28 | Dennis Erb, Jr. | Carpentersville, IL | $1,025 |
| 14 | 20 | 22 | Gregg Satterlee | Indiana, PA | $1,700 |
| 15 | 13 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | $1,800 |
| 16 | 22 | 25Z | Mason Zeigler | Chalk Hill, PA | $1,100 |
| 17 | 21 | 15V | Kolby Vandenbergh | Ashland, IL | $1,000 |
| 18 | 11 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | $1,800 |
| 19 | 12 | 40B | Kyle Bronson | Brandon, FL | $1,700 |
| 20 | 24 | 27 | Greg Kimmons | Pleasant Plains, IL | $1,000 |
| 21 | 18 | 3s | Brian Shirley | Chatham, IL | $1,000 |
| 22 | 14 | 6P | Jose Parga | New Berlin, IL | $1,000 |
| 23 | 23 | 4T | Guy Taylor | Springfield, IL | $1,000 |
| 24 | 25 | 32M | Cody Maguire | Carlinville, IL | $1,000 |
| 25 | 15 | 84 | Myles Moos | Lincoln, IL | $1,000 |
