Pierce holds on to win 'One for the road'
FAIRBURY — The Castrol FloRacing Night in America series made an appearance to the Fairbury Speedway on Tuesday's " One for the road" event, presented by I Beam Sliding Doors. Current DIRTcar national point leaders in their respective divisions, Bobby Pierce and Mike Harrison earned feature race wins.
In the 50-lap late model feature race, front row starters Dennis Erb Jr., the current World of Outlaw point leader, and Pierce exchanged the lead twice in the first 12 laps before Pierce took control. Pierce was able to maintain a 10-car length over the field, as he ran the top and bottom of the track.
Shannon Babb, Frank Heckenast Jr., and Ricky Thornton Jr. were able to cut into Pierce's lead in the closing laps. Heckenast took over second on the 47th lap and quickly caught Pierce. Heckenast, running the top, was on Pierce's bumper as the laps ticked down.
A signal from the race leader's father, telling him to move to the top of the track, slowed Heckenast's momentum and Pierce was able to take the win. It was the 15th win of the season and third at Fairbury for the speedster from Oakwood.
"It was really a fun race out there," said Pierce, who has more than $69,000 in winnings alone at Fairbury. "Really, the whole race was fun. It wasn't typical Fairbury with me banging the boards the whole time, so it was a more relaxing race."
Heckenast finished 0.427 seconds behind Pierce in second. Babb, in a new Longhorn Chassis, came in third. Thornton, who started 20th in the 22-car field, brought his car home in fourth. El Paso's Ryan Unzicker had a good run and took fifth. The rest of the top 10 included Gordy Gundaker, Erb, Tanner English, Brandon Sheppard and Chris Madden.
Erb paced Group One qualifier's with a time of 12.621 seconds and Group Two was led by Pierce with a time of 12.723. Heat races were won by Erb, Heckenast, Pierce and Myles Moos. Billy Moyer and Trevor Gundaker were the winners of the two B-mains.
The modified event drew 29 entries for a 25 lap, $1,500-to-win race. Highland's Mike Harrison, the current DIRTcar national point leader, timed at 14.146 seconds to take the fast time in the prelims. Harrison, Mike McKinney and Kenny Wallace won their respective heat races. Tom Pasek was the winner of the B-main.
As flagman Jim Whittington waved the green flag, Harrison quickly took the lead and never looked back. The win wasn't easy for Harrison as he had to contend with Michael Ledford and McKinney, but their respective nights ended with mechanical issues, forcing them to the pits.
It was Harrison's second win of the season at Fairbury and 20th overall. Jared Thomas made a late charge to finish second. Danny Schwartz was third and Wallace took fourth. Todd Sherman was fifth and 20th starter Lyndon Whitfill was sixth. Randy Shuman was seventh and was followed by Pasek, Caden McWhorter and TJ Larson.
Friday Racing
Kankakee County Speedway
Drivers competing in the pro late model, modified, stock car and pro mods will remove the roofs off their cars on “Topless Night.” Factory stock, sport compacts and stock 4-cylinders will also be racing on the quarter-mile dirt oval. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and racing is at 7:30.
Saturday Racing
Fairbury Speedway
The POWRi National Midget League will headline the card, featuring many of the top stars in open-wheel competition. The winner will receive a check for $4,000 in the 30-lap race.
The 12th annual Earl J. Hubert Memorial race for the DIRTcar Stock Car division will attract many of the top drivers as they will be competing for a $4,300 payday. The 43-lap race will see former winners Jeremy Nichols, AJ Meiferdt, Jerrad Krick and Don Hilleary matching their skill against Fairbury track champion Ian Keller, Farmer City track champ Megan Erwin, Cody Clubb, Tanner Sullivan, Jordan Smith and many more.
The program, presented by Livingston Stone Company, will have the modified division in a 20-lap, $1,500-to-win race. Gates will open at 2 p.m. Hot laps/qualifying start at 5:15 and racing is at 7.
Grundy County Speedway
The 61st annual Bettenhausen Memorial 100 lap race for late models will attract many top name pavement drivers from Illinois and the surrounding states. Midwest MASS Sportsman Challenge, street stock and pure stock will also be in action on the ⅓-mile track. Stands will open at 3 p.m. and racing is at 7.
There will be a Friday night open practice starting at 5 p.m. At party will be held in the pits from race teams and fans beginning at 9.
Macon Speedway
The 8th annual Kirby Strong will see the winner of the pro late model feature taking a $1,010 check to the bank. The Big Ten Modified series will have a $700-to-win payday. Sportsman, street stock, hornets and micros will also take to the ⅕-mile, high-banked dirt track. Stands open at 5 p.m., practice is at 6 and racing starts at 7.
Sycamore Speedway
There will twin 25-lap features for the street stock class. Others classes racing include the limited late model and pure stocks. Gates open at 6 p.m., followed by time trials and racing.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Fairbury Speedway Bobby Pierce DIRTcar racing Mike Harrison
