Post by LMR on 07/13/13 at 10:42pm
DIRTcar Summer Nationals
34 Raceway
July 13, 2013
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Pierce Captures Fourth Summer Nationals Victory in 2013 at 34 Raceway
WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (July 13) - Bobby Pierce claimed his second win in as many nights and his fourth win of the 2013 DIRTcar Summer Nationals "Hell Tour" season Saturday night as he lead the final 15 laps and held off Brian Birkhofer at 34 Raceway.
Pierce, of Oakwood, Ill., would have to pass fewer cars to capture this victory compared to the victory Friday night. Pierce started on the outside of row two, just behind the front row of points-leader Brandon Sheppard and Birkhofer, who grabbed the lead from Sheppard as the two drivers battled side-by-side for much of the early going. With Birkhofer and Sheppard putting on a show for the fans, the youngster Pierce was marching his way to the front.
Pierce, in the same fashion as his three previous wins, stayed glued to the bottom for the duration of the event as he picked up ground on the leaders. Pierce first caught and passed second place Sheppard on lap 25 and then leader Birkhofer one lap later. The 16-year-old easily maneuvered through lapped traffic and extended his lead over the final 15 laps, claiming another $10,000 checkered flag.
"I think once you get rolling along, you get too hard to beat," said Pierce, who is now second in the point standings. "My dad chose the right tires. We were kinda debating on that the whole night, but we picked the right ones."
Brandon Sheppard, Chris Simpson and Tanner English rounded out the top five.
A-Main
1 4 32P Bobby Pierce
2 2 15B Brian Birkhofer
3 1 B5 Brandon Sheppard
4 3 32S Chris Simpson
5 8 96X Tanner English
6 7 7B Mark Burgtorf
7 9 25S Chad Simpson
8 5 3S Brian Shirley
9 6 18 Shannon Babb
10 14 50 Denny Eckrich
11 18 15R Brian Harris
12 17 77M Jason McBride
13 15 20 Dustin Griffin
14 19 24 Ryan Unzicker
15 10 93 Jay Johnson
16 21 3 Ron Elbe
17 22 48 Tim Lance
18 12 81K Randy Korte
19 16 33F Richey Frankel
20 11 21 Todd Frank
21 13 45 Denny Woodworth
22 20 99JR Frank Heckenast Jr
B-Main
1 33F Richey Frankel
2 77M Jason McBride
3 15R Brian Harris
4 31 Jason Utter
5 3 Ron Elbe
6 72 Billy Genebacher
7 2 Allen Murray
8 99JR Frank Heckenast Jr
9 24 Ryan Unzicker
10 48 Tim Lance
11 51 Matt Furman
Heat #1
1 B5 Brandon Sheppard
2 32P Bobby Pierce
3 7B Mark Burgtorf
4 93 Jay Johnson
5 45 Denny Woodworth
6 33F Richey Frankel
7 51 Matt Furman
8 2 Allen Murray
9 99JR Frank Heckenast Jr
Heat #2
1 32S Chris Simpson
2 3S Brian Shirley
3 96X Tanner English
4 21 Todd Frank
5 50 Denny Eckrich
6 77M Jason McBride
7 31 Jason Utter
8 3 Ron Elbe
9 48 Tim Lance
Heat #3
1 15B Brian Birkhofer
2 18 Shannon Babb
3 25S Chad Simpson
4 81K Randy Korte
5 20 Dustin Griffin
6 15R Brian Harris
7 72 Billy Genebacher
8 24 Ryan Unzicker
Event Photos courtesy of John Vass
