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World of Outlaws Prairie Dirt Classic
Fairbury Speedway | Fairbury, IL
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Race Recap  

PIERCE’S DIRT CLASSIC: Bobby Pierce Wins First Prairie Dirt Classic With Iconic Last-Lap Pass

The Oakwood, IL native performs an incredible drive to his first PDC win from 24th place

 

The years of questioning Bobby Pierce’s ability to win the Prairie Dirt Classic were laid to rest on Saturday night at Fairbury Speedway.

With a miraculous performance from the rear of the field two times, Bobby Pierce claimed triumph for his fifth-straight Feature win with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models at a crown jewel he’s been itching to win since his first attempt in 2011.

The victory means everything to Pierce, as the “PDC” win marks the first time in the event’s history that a father and son have won the crown jewel race.

“That was the first race that I blacked out and just wanted to get out and do a backflip,” Pierce said. “Matt Curl came to me at Victory Lane and we’ve been through a lot with this race. He’s put on the biggest race in Illinois for a long time now, and I’ve been so close so many times. He came up to the car and that was the first race that I cried after winning, with my dad winning this race five times and to see what this event has become, it’s the first time I got emotional from.”

After breaking a driveshaft on Friday night in Showdown Feature #2, Pierce had to use a points provisional on Saturday to start the 100-lap Feature from 24th position.

At the front of the field, a wide cast of drivers battled for the lead, with New Berlin, IL’s Brandon Sheppard taking early command over Bloomington, IL’s Jason Feger, Winfield, TN’s Mike Marlar, Chatham, IL’s Brian Shirley and Watertown, NY’s Tim McCreadie.

Those drivers could not hold back Mooresville, NC driver Nick Hoffman, who cut through each driver with precision and eventually grabbed the lead over Sheppard on Lap 21.

Meanwhile, Pierce used any and every lane and opportunity that arose to put his No. 32 closer to the front of the field.

While Hoffman set the pace at the front field with Shirley and McCreadie following behind the NOS Energy Drink No. 9, Pierce continued to drive through the field with the leaders in his eyesight.

He got to as high as fourth place until he clipped the left rear of McCreadie on Lap 60, spinning in Turn 4 to bring out the caution. The spin put him back to 19th with 40 laps to go.

Then, the hunt was on again for the 2023 Series champion, using a mix of the top and bottom lanes to try and fight his way back to the front.

At the front, Martinsville, IN driver Ricky Thornton Jr. had already performed a similar comeback from 21st position to challenge Hoffman for the lead. But with 10 laps to go, after having bounced off the front stretch wall a couple of times, Thornton pulled off the track with a broken driveshaft that ended his chances at back-to-back PDC wins.

Thornton’s loss was Pierce’s gain, as he sat in a primed position to chase glory in the event with single-digit laps remaining. He had to battle Marlar for second place by using every inch of the top lane to gain a run off of Turn 4 and have a clear shot at Hoffman.

Pierce only had one chance to take the lead from Hoffman, and that presented itself with the white flag waving in the air. In his usual gasser style, Pierce ripped around the cushion of Turns 1 and 2 to pass Hoffman and cross the finish line as the champion of the Prairie Dirt Classic.

“I definitely had to take more chances than before,” Pierce said. “I’m not in the tight points battle and I thought about that early in the race. I didn’t think I’d be able to get to the lead from 23rd even though everybody was saying I could do it. When I spun with 40 laps to go, I thought I lost the race because I should’ve been more patient. It took dicey moves to get to the front. To come back from that, this means everything.”

Bobby Pierce
Bobby Pierce captures his first Prairie Dirt Classic at Fairbury Speedway (Emily Schwanke Photo)

Hoffman came home second after the stinger of a finish. However, the results cut his gap to Sheppard, the Series points leader, to 26 markers heading into Wilmot Raceway. Hoffman also leaves with $59,000 in the bank for leading 79 laps in the Feature.

“I don’t know if there’s anything I could’ve done differently,” Hoffman said. “(Bobby) is the best at running the cushion in Late Model racing, he knew where I was going and he got clear of me on Turns 1 and 2, so for him to come back as far as he did there.

“The car was as good as I could make it. When we first started, I fired off really good and thought if it was a bad sign to be good so early then be terrible late. But once the track began to slow down there, I could run my middle lane, I still felt good. Knowing this track will change three or four times throughout that 100-lap race, I was chasing grip and slipping off the corner. If someone was gonna make it happen, it was going to be through Turns 1 and 2 and (Bobby) was able to do that.”

Fayetteville, NC driver Daulton Wilson picked up his first career Prairie Dirt Classic podium in his second career start in the Fairbury event. Wilson considers the night a win for him after consistently racing inside the top 10 throughout the night and mustering a late charge to take third place.

“I got in line there with everybody,” Wilson said. “I was just trying to not lose too many spots and hold my spot there. Once the track slowed down because the top was so treacherous, we were able to gain some ground.

“It’s like a win for us. This place has not been kind to me. We’ve made the races, but haven’t contended for wins here. We ran good in our Feature (on Friday), and to finish second and third with the caliber of cars here, we’ve had a good car but not the luck. To go home and build on this trip, I’m happy.”

Marlar finished fourth, and Manhattan, KS driver Chase Junghans cemented the crown jewel race’s top-five finishers after a 10-place climb from a 15th starting spot.

RECAP NOTES:

Dirt King Simulator Hottest Hot Lap: Ethan Dotson

Last Chance Showdown Winners: Dennis Erb Jr, Devin Moran, Shannon Babb

Prairie Dirt Shootout Winner: Garrett Alberson

Bilstein Pole Award: Jason Feger

Fox Factory Hard Charger: Bobby Pierce

Up Next: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models travels continue with a week of racing in Wisconsin as the Series makes its debut at Wilmot Raceway on Monday, July 29, before traveling to Cedar Lake Speedway for the USA Nationals on Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 1-3. 

For tickets to Wilmot, CLICK HERE.

For tickets to Cedar Lake, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap live on DIRTVision.

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
124+2332Bobby Pierce 1000.0001Running150$50,000
28+69Nick Hoffman 100-0.37379Running146$20,000
35+218DDaulton Wilson 100-1.425Running144$12,000
43-1157Mike Marlar 100-3.416Running142$7,500
515+1018CChase Junghans 100-4.305Running140$6,000
618+1299Devin Moran 100-4.773Running138$5,000
7703SBrian Shirley 100-5.642Running136$4,750
823+1558Garrett Alberson 100-5.941Running134$4,500
919+1018Shannon Babb 100-6.202Running132$4,250
1012+216Tyler Bruening 100-6.904Running130$4,000
1117+628Dennis Erb Jr100-7.594Running128$3,900
1225+1397Cade Dillard 100-8.379Running126$3,800
131-1225FJason Feger 100-8.499Running124$3,700
1413-140BKyle Bronson 100-8.943Running122$3,600
152-13B5Brandon Sheppard 100-9.26820Running120$3,500
1628+1222*Max McLaughlin 100-9.347Running118$400
1720+393Carson Ferguson 100-10.459Running116$3,300
1810-81Tim McCreadie 100-10.810Running114$3,200
1927+889Mike Spatola 100-11.738Running112$3,100
2022+210Garrett Smith 100-12.859Running110$3,080
2121020RTRicky Thornton Jr.90-10 LapsDNF108$3,060
2216-619Dustin Sorensen 79-21 LapsDNF106$3,040
2314-9111Max Blair 49-51 LapsDNF104$3,020
2411-1311SAustin Smith 45-55 LapsDNF104$3,000
2526+124Ryan Unzicker 38-62 LapsDNF104$3,000
2629+3B1Brent Larson 36-64 LapsDNF104$110
274-2319RRyan Gustin 21-79 LapsDNF104$3,000
289-1999WMckay Wenger 4-96 LapsDNF104$3,000
296-2332SChris Simpson 1-99 LapsDNF104$3,000
FOX Factory Hard Charger: Bobby Pierce
Prairie Dirt Shootout Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+158Garrett Alberson 250.00025Running0$0
24+211Gordy Gundaker 25-5.735Running0$0
33011TTrevor Gundaker 25-8.775Running0$0
49+531Tyler Millwood 25-9.299Running0$0
58+349Jonathan Davenport 25-9.393Running0$0
611+596Tanner English 25-12.071Running0$0
71-626MBob Gardner 25-12.714Running0$0
820+1284Myles Moos 25-12.784Running0$0
918+915Justin Duty 25-13.180Running0$0
107-33Dale Markham 25-13.204Running0$0
1113+227Colby Sheppard 25-13.535Running0$0
12120M27Mike Provenzano 25-14.442Running0$0
1315+217SSBrenden Smith 25-14.846Running0$0
1410-4T6Tommy Sheppard Jr25-16.141Running0$0
1521+6Z61Alex Wilson 24-1 LapsRunning0$0
165-1120TCTristan Chamberlain 24-1 LapsRunning0$0
1719+233HBilly Hough 24-1 LapsRunning0$0
186-128MDillon McCowan 12-13 LapsDNF0$0
1917-289Mike Spatola 3-22 LapsDNF0$0
2014-674XEthan Dotson 0-25 LapsDNS0$0
2116-538Thomas Hunziker 0-25 LapsDNS0$0
Last Chance Showdown 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+128Dennis Erb Jr150.00012Running0$0
210+893Carson Ferguson 15-3.221Running0$0
35+226MBob Gardner 15-4.607Running100$475
46+211Gordy Gundaker 15-6.285Running100$1,000
515+103Dale Markham 15-6.690Running100$400
618+12T6Tommy Sheppard Jr15-7.636Running100$300
78+127Colby Sheppard 15-9.880Running100$375
87-138Thomas Hunziker 15-10.688Running100$110
920+1133HBilly Hough 15-11.598Running100$300
109-114JRTrey Mills 15-12.085Running100$110
1111045Kyle Hammer 15-13.244Running100$110
124-825WAlan Weisser 4-11 LapsDNF100$110
1314+138JJake Little 4-11 LapsDNF100$110
143-1112Ashton Winger 3-12 Laps3DNF100$110
151-1424Ryan Unzicker 3-12 LapsDNF100$0
1621+597Cade Dillard 3-12 LapsDNF100$0
1712-5111RSteven Roberts 0-15 LapsDNS100$0
1813-5222Dwight Falcon 0-15 LapsDNS100$0
1916-324HMike Harrison 0-15 LapsDNS100$0
2017-31WDonny Walden 0-15 LapsDNS100$0
2119-299JRFrank Heckenast Jr0-15 LapsDNS100$0
Last Chance Showdown 2 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11099Devin Moran 150.00015Running0$0
23+120RTRicky Thornton Jr.15-0.497Running0$0
35+258Garrett Alberson 15-1.304Running0$0
44020TCTristan Chamberlain 15-1.517Running100$300
57+249Jonathan Davenport 15-1.562Running100$600
62-496Tanner English 15-2.164Running100$500
76-174XEthan Dotson 15-2.689Running100$110
810+289Mike Spatola 15-2.761Running0$0
917+884Myles Moos 15-3.114Running100$450
1013+3122Timmy Dick 15-3.205Running100$110
11110126Kaede Loudy 15-3.554Running100$110
1215+322Chris Ferguson 15-4.060Running100$110
1319+69ZLyle Zanker 15-4.250Running100$110
149-597JRCody Overton 15-4.727Running100$110
1512-3T2Brayton Wallace 12-3 LapsDNF100$110
168-822*Max McLaughlin 11-4 LapsDNF0$0
1714-318RRoss Camponovo 3-12 LapsDNF100$110
1820+214WDustin Walker 0-15 LapsDNF100$110
1916-357Matt Tifft 0-15 LapsDNS100$0
2018-28LJeffrey Ledford 0-15 LapsDNS100$0
2121066CMatt Cosner 0-15 LapsDNS100$0
Last Chance Showdown 3 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
14+318Shannon Babb 150.00010Running0$0
23+110Garrett Smith 15-2.3753Running0$0
31-211TTrevor Gundaker 15-4.4982Running100$800
45+18MDillon McCowan 15-4.570Running100$300
57+231Tyler Millwood 15-5.368Running100$700
611+5M27Mike Provenzano 15-6.017Running100$350
79+217SSBrenden Smith 15-7.581Running100$325
816+815Justin Duty 15-7.801Running100$425
917+8Z61Alex Wilson 15-8.697Running100$300
1018+825Shane Clanton 15-9.470Running100$110
1113+290Brian Rickman 15-10.073Running100$110
128-419MSpencer Hughes 15-10.366Running100$110
1320+775Daniel Adam 15-11.839Running100$110
146-843Derrick Stewart 15-12.394Running100$110
1514-132Bobby Pierce 7-8 LapsDNF0$0
162-141TTyler Erb 6-9 LapsDNF100$110
1712-5B1Brent Larson 5-10 LapsDNF0$0
1810-811RJosh Rice 0-15 LapsDNS100$0
1915-471Hudson O'Neal 0-15 LapsDNS100$0
2019-133Kye Blight 0-15 LapsDNS100$0
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1074XEthan Dotson Bakersfield, CA13.0930.000
2022*Max McLaughlin , 13.101-0.008
308MDillon McCowan Urbana, MO13.113-0.020
4075Daniel Adam Wade , NC13.123-0.030
5022Chris Ferguson Mt. Holly, NC13.131-0.038
6020RTRicky Thornton Jr.Adel, IA13.139-0.046
7049Jonathan Davenport Blairsville, GA13.164-0.071
8019MSpencer Hughes Meridian, MS13.246-0.153
9084Myles Moos Lincoln, IL13.279-0.186
10017SSBrenden Smith Dade City, FL13.287-0.194
11089Mike Spatola Manhattan, IL13.292-0.199
1201TTyler Erb New Waverly, TX13.300-0.207
13015Justin Duty Mulino, OR13.306-0.213
14024Ryan Unzicker El Paso, IL13.313-0.220
150B1Brent Larson Lake Elmo, MN13.313-0.220
16025WAlan Weisser Peoria, IL13.315-0.222
1709ZLyle Zanker Rockford, IL13.326-0.233
18018RRoss Camponovo Merigold, MS13.449-0.356
19097Cade Dillard Robeline, LA13.465-0.372
200Z61Alex Wilson Chenoa, IL13.469-0.376
210126Kaede Loudy Rogersville, TN13.487-0.394
22043Derrick Stewart Ainsworth, IA13.542-0.449
23099Devin Moran Dresden, OH13.550-0.457
24031Tyler Millwood Kingston, GA13.577-0.484
250122Timmy Dick Monticello, IL13.590-0.497
26090Brian Rickman Columbus, MS13.627-0.534
27028Dennis Erb JrCarpentersville, IL13.684-0.591
28026MBob Gardner Washington, IL13.694-0.601
29011TTrevor Gundaker St. Charles, MO13.706-0.613
30020TCTristan Chamberlain Richmond, IN13.724-0.631
31096Tanner English Benton, KY13.726-0.633
32097JRCody Overton Evans, GA13.831-0.738
33058Garrett Alberson Las Cruces, NM13.932-0.839
340M27Mike Provenzano Marseilles, IL13.976-0.883
35010Garrett Smith Eatonton, GA14.014-0.921
36011Gordy Gundaker St. Charles, MO14.114-1.021
37018Shannon Babb Moweaqua, IL14.218-1.125
38012Ashton Winger Senoia, GA14.258-1.165
390T6Tommy Sheppard JrNew Berlin, IL14.272-1.179
40093Carson Ferguson Concord, NC14.395-1.302
4103Dale Markham Maple Park, IL14.437-1.344
42038JJake Little Springfield, IL14.536-1.443
43033HBilly Hough Thomasboro, IL14.582-1.489
44014JRTrey Mills St. Augustine, FL14.593-1.500
45027Colby Sheppard Williamsville, IL14.609-1.516
46038Thomas Hunziker Bend, OR14.842-1.749
Lock-In Hot Laps Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
10-11Tim McCreadie 00.000Running0$0
20-29Nick Hoffman 0-0.034Running0$0
30-33SBrian Shirley 0-0.061Running0$0
40-419RRyan Gustin 0-0.083Running0$0
50-518CChase Junghans 0-0.088Running0$0
60-6157Mike Marlar 0-0.103Running0$0
70-716Tyler Bruening 0-0.141Running0$0
80-840BKyle Bronson 0-0.184Running0$0
90-9111Max Blair 0-0.203Running0$0
100-1019Dustin Sorensen 0-0.206Running0$0
110-11B5Brandon Sheppard 0-0.241Running0$0
120-1218DDaulton Wilson 0-0.274Running0$0
130-1399WMckay Wenger 0-0.352Running0$0
140-1432SChris Simpson 0-0.466Running0$0
150-1525FJason Feger 0-0.498Running0$0
160-1611SAustin Smith 0-0.540Running0$0
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

World of Outlaws Prairie Dirt Classic

Friday, July 26th to Saturday, July 27th

Fairbury Speedway

600 South Third Street

Fairbury, IL, 61739

Event Description
The highly anticipated Prairie Dirt Classic returns to the schedule in 2024, again paying $50,000-to-win. Some of the best drivers in Late Model racing will make the trek to Central Illinois to try to win one of the most prestigious races of the season.

This event also caps off the Summit Modified Nationals Hell Tour with $500 features on Friday and $5,000-to-win on Saturday, followed by the crowning of a champion.
Series Racing
Summit Modified Nationals, World of Outlaws Late Model Series

Event Schedule

Friday, July 26
VFW PDC Breakfast: 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Second Street (Gate 2) Opens: 9 a.m.
Pit Gate (Third Street only) Opens: 9 a.m.
First Street Walk-up Gate Opens: 11 a.m.
Bags Tournament: 12:00 p.m. (North Side Beer Stand)
Drivers Meeting: 5 p.m.
Hot Laps & Qualifying: 5:30 p.m.
Racing to follow

Saturday, July 27
VFW PDC Breakfast: 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Second Street (Gate 2) Opens: 9 a.m.
Pit Gate (Third Street only) Opens: 9 a.m.
First Street Walk-up Gate Opens: 11 a.m.
Live Suave Talk (backstretch bus): 3 p.m.
Driver Autograph Session (vendor row): 4 p.m.
Drivers Meeting: 5 p.m.
Hot Laps & Qualifying: 5:30 p.m.
Racing to follow

*All times Central

Event Hashtag
#PDC2024
Ticket Options  
Options And Prices

Weeklong General Admission: $95
2-Day General Admission: $65
Friday General Admission: $30
Saturday General Admission: $40
Tickets can be purchased at the gates

Grandstand Type
Bleachers - No backs
Reserved Seating
Back stretch: sections A through I; front stretch: sections R, S, T, U.
Handicapped Seating Location
In front of main covered grandstands on front stretch and a few select handicap spots on the first row of bleachers. Please email [email protected] to request accessible seating at least one week in advance.
Pit Pass Price

2-Day Pit Pass (All Ages): $85
Friday Pit Pass: $40
Saturday Pit Pass: $50

Pit Age Requirement
No Age limit - All minor's require proper waiver
Pit Gate Location
3rd Street entrance
Parking Cost
Free
Handicapped Parking Location
Near the main front grandstands
Camping Availability

Non-electric, offsite, onsite

Camping Cost
Available day of race only
Frequently Asked Questions  
To Win Amount
$50,000.00
Reserved Seating
Back stretch: sections A through I; front stretch: sections R, S, T, U.
Type of Grandstand
Bleachers - No backs
Stadium Seating
Stadium seats are not allowed
Handicapped Seating
In front of main covered grandstands on front stretch and a few select handicap spots on the first row of bleachers. Please email [email protected] to request accessible seating at least one week in advance.
Handicapped Parking
Near the main front grandstands
Pit Age Limit
No Age limit - All minor's require proper waiver
Pit Gate Location
3rd Street entrance
Personal Coolers
They are allowed on the grounds, but NOT in the bleachers or grandstands.
ATMs
1
Alcohol Sales
Alcohol is available to purchase at the track. Only FALS purchased cans and alcohol allowed in the bleachers or grandstands. Alcohol is prohibited in the pit area until the races are over for the evening.
Smoking Policy
No smoking or vaping in the bleachers or grandstands at any time.
Parking Cost
Free
Camping Availability

Non-electric, offsite, onsite

Camping Cost
Available day of race only
Track Info  

Fairbury Speedway

600 South Third Street

Fairbury, IL, 61739

Track Phone
(815) 692-3222
Track Size
0.25
Track Type
Semi-banked
Closest Airport
Bloomington, IL (BMI / KBMI) Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal
Other Airport
Champaign, IL (CMI / KCMI) University of Illinois Willard Airport
Pit Gate Location
3rd Street entrance
Track Map
Competitor Info  
Tire Rules

Left Front Tire: Open (Hoosier Only)

Left Rear & Right Front Tire: Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) NLMT3 

Right Rear Tire: Hoosier (92) NLMT3, (92) NLMT4

** Grooving and siping will be allowed. **

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