For MB Motorsports and driver Bobby Pierce, they hope third times a charm at Eldora Speedway.
On Thursday, team owner Mike Mittler confirmed that dirt standout Pierce will drive the team’s No. 63 Chevrolet Silverado in next month’s Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Debry giving the Oakwood, Ill. native an opportunity to shine in one of the most anticipated races of the year.
Two years ago, Pierce burst onto the tour, earning his pole and literally destroyed his Chevrolet en route to a runner-up finish behind Christopher Bell.
Last year, he won the pole again and seemed poised to win the race, but after spinning late in the race and making contact with the inside wall, a transmission failure doomed his night resulting in a 25th place finish after leading 102 laps.
With sponsorship in place, Mittler and Pierce are ready to give Eldora another shot.
“Eldora is the premier race of the year for our team,” said Mittler. “Twice now Bobby has almost won it all. Last year we sat on the pole, led the most laps and if not for a transmission issue, were in position to bring home the checkers- and Bobby was sick as a dog when he did it.
“That was an unbelievable performance on Bobby’s part. Unbelievable. The year before, Bobby sat on the pole and came home second. Here’s hoping the third time’s the proverbial charm.”
A modest Pierce humbled his success at Eldora.
“Well, we’ve done okay the last two years at Eldora,” he said. “If we can keep the truck together and out of trouble on the track, I think we’ve got as good a shot as anyone. I love racing at Eldora. The facility is fantastic and the history there is amazing.”
Pierce has longtime been hailed as a ‘dirt ringer’ being a regular competitor on the UMP DIRTcar Late Model circuit. Noting to fame for finishing second in the 2013 UMP Summer Nationals “Hell Tour”, he would later go on to win the UMP championship in 2014 and 2015.
The Aspen Dental Eldora Dirty Derby is housed at Eldora Speedway in New Weston, Ohio and owned by former Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Tony Stewart.
Knowing Eldora is one of the most prestigious events of the season, Mittler praised Stewart for his devotion to the event – which he compared to the DAYTONA 500.
“Where the Daytona 500 is the crown jewel for the Cup guys, for our team, it’s Eldora,” Mittler added. “Tony Stewart and his crew put on a fantastic program. Eldora Speedway is second to none. I can’t wait to get to the track with the crew and Bobby.”
Unlike the last two seasons, Pierce will be joined by a teammate at MB Motorsports. 2016 USAC Silver Crown champion Chris Windom will attempt his Truck Series debut for the July 19 race aboard the team’s No. 36 Chevrolet.
Pierce has seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts to his credit, five of them on pavement. His best finish on a non-dirt track came at the 1.0-mile oval at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway, where the 20-year-old finished 16th.
Premier Waste Services, Allgayer and Oakwood Tire have pledged their support to Pierce who will make his first NCWTS start since last year’s run at 0.5-mile clay oval.
Mittler told CATCHFENCE.com, Eldora is the only scheduled race for Pierce, but additional races could be added if sponsorship came to fruition.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
