The pace slows on U.S. 24 as you ease into town, eyes surveying the landscape. Fairbury is just one of many pretty towns along this highway that lies razor-straight across the Illinois prairie. Another speed zone, another blinking traffic signal, another set of churches and schools and municipal buildings and a Casey’s General Store.

But Fairbury is different. Special. Somewhere, off to the south, just the other side of an idyllic grid of neat lawns and well-kept homes, is an old fairgrounds. MORE

It is a busy afternoon in Oakwood, Ill., and Bobby Pierce is looking at a looming deadline. It’s the kind of deadline a lot of 17-year-olds fret over, involving an intensely challenging subject.

Algebra.

Pierce is one of the country’s hottest Dirt Late Model racers, a growing force that shows no sign of abating. He’s already won 10 races and is on track for a phenomenal season, perhaps the greatest season in history for someone not yet 18 years old.

Pierce has little time to bask in his MORE

The neck collar chafes a bit at Josh McGuire, and he sinks back into his chair and tries to relax. He’s a tired puppy this afternoon, as earlier today he made his first venture back to his doctor’s office for a followup visit.

It’s been nearly a month since McGuire suffered a fractured C-1 vertebra in a devastating rollover crash at Kentucky’s 201 Speedway on Oct. 26. He and his wife Tracy — along with their extended family — have fought through some tough days and nights as they took MORE