DIRTcar Summer Nationals
Lincoln Speedway
June 30, 2013
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Bobby Pierce Becomes Youngest Driver in History to Score DIRTcar Summer Nationals “Hell Tour” Victory



LINCOLN, Ill. (June 30) — Bobby Pierce is only 16 years old but he accomplished a feat on Sunday night at Lincoln Speedway that many in Dirt Late Model racing only dream about — winning a DIRTcar Summer Nationals event.

Pierce, of Oakwood, Ill., captured the $10,000 victory in dominating fashion at quarter-mile Lincoln Speedway on the 12th night of the six-week DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour, becoming the youngest winner in the 26-year history of the grueling summer series.

Pierce lined up on the outside of points leader Brandon Sheppard on the front row for the 60-lap feature, but it was three-time series champion Shannon Babb who charged from sixth to lead the 22-car field in the early going. Pierce caught and passed Babb on lap 9 then held off 2004 series champion Don O’Neal to the checkered flag.

“We’ve been trying so hard to do this, getting top-fives and coming close,” said Pierce, whose father, Bob, is a two-time DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion (1992, 1995). “It’s so hard to win these things. You’ve got the best of the best. I’m so glad to finally get one. It’s amazing.”

Sheppard, Ryan Unzicker and last year’s champion Brian Shirley rounded out the top five.

Heat race winners incuded Tyler Reddick, Sheppard, Dustin Griffin and Pierce.

A-Main (60-laps): 1. Bobby Pierce ($10,000), 2. Don ONeal, 3. Brandon Sheppard, 4. Ryan Unzicker, 5. Brian Shirley, 6. Terry English, 7. Shannon Babb, 8. Jack Sullivan, 9. Dustin Griffin, 10. Tanner English, 11. Jason McBride, 12. Tyler Reddick, 13. Randy Korte, 14. Rich Bell, 15. Rusty Schlenk, 16. Brian Divley, 17. Scott Schmitt, 18. Kevin Weaver, 19. Daren Friedman, 20. Steve Sheppard Jr, 21. Bobby Dauderman, 22. Eric Smith.


Event Photos courtesy of Jim Denhamer