What won the race: Taming another unfamiliar southern oval, Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., wrestled the lead from Drake Troutman on lap 24 and dominated the remainder of the distance to capture Friday night’s 40-lap Duel at the Mag opener at Magnolia Motor Speedway. The two-time and defending World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion beat Nick Hoffman by 2.660 seconds to earn $12,000 for his second straight and third overall victory of 2026 on the national tour.

Quotable: “Man, I’m wore out from that race,” Pierce said. “The track formed those, like, dirt bike ruts, and the tires would set in it, and you never knew if it was gonna take you or not. So you got to be up on the wheel constantly.”

Key notes: The fifth-starting Pierce grabbed second on lap 11 from Hoffman, who led laps 1-5, and ultimately used the outside lane to gain control of the top spot from Troutman on the 24th circuit. … Pierce’s 45th career WoO triumph pushed his streak of consecutive podium finishes on the series to eight. ... Hoffman regained second from Troutman on a lap-30 restart but never challenged Pierce. … Jonathan Davenport came from 10th to finish third; he reached the spot on lap 33 and threatened Hoffman but couldn’t complete a pass. … Troutman faded to a sixth-place finish after leading laps 6-23. … Four caution flags slowed the feature beginning at the initial start when a tangle back in the pack left Tim McCreadie and Brent Larson spun in turn two and sent them to the pits. … Tristan Chamberlain started from the outside pole after earning his second career WoO heat win but slowed with nose damage to bring out a caution on lap. … Brian Rickman slowed on lap 12 and WoO rookie Trey Mills pulled up lame with a right-rear flat tire on lap 30. … Dustin Sorensen used a provisional after after breaking a driveshaft in the second B-main. .. Hudson O’Neal scratched the Kevin Rumley No. 6 after time trials due to terminal engine trouble. The team plans to change powerplants for Saturday’s finale. … Dale McDowell returned to compete in his heat race after missing time trials with transmission issues but didn’t qualify. … The event was the first-ever at Magnolia for the WoO tour, which closes its weekend with Saturday's $20,000-to-win finale.

On the move: Ethan Dotson of Bakersfield, Calif., started 21st and finished eighth.

Winner's sponsors: Pierce’s Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Low Voltage Solutions, Rio Grande Waste Services, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Oakwood Tire Center, Churchill Transport, Collins Brothers Towing, K1, Carnaghi Towing & Repair, Toyota of Danville, Floyd’s Waste Systems, PureMax Racing Oil, A Plus Vacuum, Leka Tree Service, Bert Transmissions by Budda, Ted Brown’s Quality Paint & Body Shop, VP Race Fuels, Swift Springs, Bilstein Shocks, Dirt Car Lift and Performance Bodies.

Points chase: After Magnolia Friday: 1. Bobby Pierce (1,478); 2. Nick Hoffman (1,468); 3. Ryan Gustin (1,379); 4. Tim McCreadie (1,378); 5. Tyler Erb (1,369); 6. Drake Troutman (1,367); 7. Daulton Wilson (1,361); 8. Ethan Dotson (1,354); 9. Dustin Sorensen (1,329); 10. Dennis Erb Jr. (1,294).

Current weather: Clear, 70°F

Car count: 41

Fast qualifier: Michael Leach

Time: 13.910 seconds

Polesitter: Nick Hoffman

Heat race winners: Tyler Erb, Tristan Chamberlain, Nick Hoffman, Drake Troutman

Consolation race winners: Daulton Wilson, Dennis Erb Jr.

Provisional starters: Tim McCreadie, Dustin Sorensen, Brent Larson, Todd Morrow

Next series race: March 21, Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, MS) $20,000