Bobby Pierce Continues to Roll with LaSalle Win
The series returns to action at Daugherty Speedway on Tuesday
LASALLE, Ill. – July 4, 2016 – Bobby Pierce continued his incredible run through the DIRTcar Summer Nationals at LaSalle Speedway on Monday night as he charged through the field and got past leader Kevin Weaver on the final lap to score seventh win of the season.
“It was awesome,” Pierce said. “I think this was my first last-lap, last-corner pass to win the race. Me and Kevin had an awesome race.”
Frank Heckenast Jr. led early with Bob Gardner battling around him on lap seven for the lead. One lap later though, Weaver took advantage of Gardner jumping the cushion and retained the lead. Pierce, the night’s Hard Charger, was advancing through the field. By the time the final caution of the night flew with four laps to go, Pierce made his move.
“Starting 12th, I didn’t think I’d get through there that early, but the bottom was just so good. I thought about the middle to the top, it tested it on the caution, just warming up the tire. It felt like it was kind of loose up there. About a lap and a half to go, my dad motioned me up finally. I was like, ‘well, I’ll try it out.’ And it worked out.”
Pierce continues to lead the Summer Nationals points standings and kicks off the week three Independence Tour on top of the charts.
Weaver finished second with Heckenast in third, Joey Coulter in fourth and Gardner in fifth.
The DIRTcar Summer Nationals returns to action Tuesday night at Daugherty Speedway in Boswell, Ind.
Follow the Summer Nationals and Summit Modified Nationals on Twitter at Twitter.com/SummerNationals or on Facebook at Facebook.com/SummerNationals. Stay up-to-date with the latest news from the series throughout the lead up and the summer on the series’ websites at TheHellTour.com and ModifiedNationals.com.
DIRTcar Summer Nationals Statistical Report; LaSalle Speedway; LaSalle, Ill.
A-Main: 1. Bobby Pierce (Oakwood, IL), 2. Kevin Weaver (Gibson City, IL), 3. Frank Heckenast Jr (Frankfort, IL), 4. Joey Coulter (Union Grove, NC), 5. Bob Gardner (East Peoria, IL), 6. Rich Bell (Sheffield, IL), 7. Scott Schmitt (Tonica, IL), 8. Taylor Scheffler (Waukesha, WI), 9. Jason Feger (Bloomington, IL), 10. Mike Spatola (Manhattan, IL), 11. Ryan Unzicker (El Paso, IL), 12. Lyle Zanker (Rockford, IL), 13. Rusty Griffaw (Festus, MO), 14. Gordy Gundaker (St Charles, MO), 15. John Gardner Jr (Germantown Hills, IL), 16. Austin Smith (Rome, GA), 17. Tyler Erb (New Waverly, TX), 18. Shane Clanton (Fayetteville, GA), 19. Timothy Culp (Sheridan, AR), 20. Jeremy Conaway (Springield, IL), 21. John Piccatto (Spring Valley, IL), 22. Chris Simpson (Oxford, IA). Hard Charger: Bobby Pierce
2016 DIRTcar Summer Nationals Schedule
| Date | Day | Track | Winners |
| Northern Kickoff | |||
| June 15 | Wednesday | Brownstown Speedway | Rain/Cancelled |
| June 16 | Thursday | Kankakee Co. Speedway | Bobby Pierce |
| June 17 | Friday | Cedar Lake Speedway | Billy Moyer |
| June 18 | Saturday | Cedar Lake Speedway | Billy Moyer (2) |
| June 19 | Sunday | Wilmot Speedway | Bobby Pierce (2) |
| Heartland Tour | |||
| June 20 | Monday | OFF | |
| June 21 | Tuesday | Jacksonville Speedway | Bobby Pierce (3) |
| June 22 | Wednesday | Farley Speedway | Rain/Cancelled |
| June 23 | Thursday | Spoon River Speedway | Dennis Erb Jr. |
| June 24 | Friday | Tri-City Speedway | Bobby Pierce (4) |
| June 25 | Saturday | Fairbury Speedway | Brandon Sheppard |
| June 26 | Sunday | Tri-State Speedway | Bobby Pierce (5) |
| Southern Tour | |||
| June 27 | Monday | OFF | |
| June 28 | Tuesday | Clarksville Speedway | Ryan Unzicker |
| June 29 | Wednesday | Belle-Clair Speedway | Bobby Pierce (6) |
| June 30 | Thursday | Springfield Raceway | Rain/PPD |
| July 1 | Friday | Fayette Co. Speedway | Josh Richards |
| July 2 | Saturday | Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 | Rain/Cancelled |
| July 3 | Sunday | Lincoln Speedway | Rain/PPD |
| Independence Week | |||
| July 4 | Monday | LaSalle Speedway | Bobby Pierce (7) |
| July 5 | Tuesday | Daugherty Speedway | |
| July 6 | Wednesday | Peoria Speedway | |
| July 7 | Thursday | Macon Speedway | |
| July 8 | Friday | Farmer City Speedway | |
| July 9 | Saturday | Highland Speedway | |
| July 10 | Sunday | Quincy Raceways | |
| Champions Week | |||
| July 11 | Monday | OFF | |
| July 12 | Tuesday | Plymouth Speedway | |
| July 13 | Wednesday | Shadyhill Speedway | |
| July 14 | Thursday | Merritt Speedway | |
| July 15 | Friday | Oakshade Raceway | |
| July 16 | Saturday | Oakshade Raceway |
The DIRTcar Summer Nationals “Hell Tour” is brought to fans across the country by many important partners including: Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Racing Electronics (Official Communication), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to these fine Contingency Partners: Beyea Headers, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, Fox Shocks, JE Pistons, MSD, Impact Race Products, Quartermaster, Superflow Dynos, Summit Racing Equipment and Wrisco Aluminum; Promotional Partners include: Chevy Performance Parts, Indiana Decal, Intercomp and Petroff Towing.
