National notebook
Notes: For Pierce, new tracks aren't always new
Bobby Pierce (joshjamesartwork.com)
Like most of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series competitors, Bobby Pierce rolled into Hendry County Motorsports Park for the Swamp Cabbage 100 with no idea of what to expect.
He knew the sandy third-mile oval in Clewiston, Fla., would present a radically different challenge than the lightning-fast half-mile at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., where the season began. But as Pierce has proven time and time again over the years, he views a blank notebook as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.
“I think I kind of have a little upper hand, because I like it when we go to new places that nobody really knows,” said Pierce, a three-time winner at indoor’s Kubota Gateway Dirt Nationals. “Because this, for example, kind of reminded me of a couple Summer Nationals tracks and different things. Kind of reminded me of a New Zealand track, too. Had that shape and flatness to it; you kind of just go in there, lay over on the right-rear. So, I feel like I had a little upper hand. In a way, it felt like Gateway, as surprising as that sounds.”
Regardless of the hand Pierce was dealt by the track, he came into the weekend at Hendry County in need of a pair of strong showings. Three podium finishes in the three World of Outlaws nights at Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals was something to hang his hat on, but it still wasn’t enough to match the outright domination Nick Hoffman laid down at Volusia on his path to the Big Gator.
“Going into the last three nights of Volusia, we weren’t that great,” Pierce said. “And then we didn’t qualify good, but we made up for it every night in the feature. So, it was like, ‘OK, we got third, third, second, that’s exactly what I needed to get back in the mix of the lead of the points, to have those good nights, because Nick was having those good nights, too. You know, he’s winning every night, so we needed that. That gave us a lot of confidence heading into here.”
So when Pierce parked won Friday’s opener at Hendry County, there was no lack of reasons for the team to celebrate. It was Pierce’s first WoO victory since August 2025 at Arrowhead Speedway in Colcord, Okla., which meant he finally surpassed Billy Moyer for fifth on the all-time wins list after spending six months tied with him. It was also Pierce’s first win anywhere since topping the final night of the Wild West Shootout over a month prior.
But most importantly, the win swung the momentum back in Pierce’s favor in what could shape up to be one of the most entertaining championship battles the World of Outlaws has seen in years.
“Practicing, we were pretty good,” Pierce said. “And then (Friday), I drew a late pill, and I was like, ‘Oh man, that might hurt us.’ I had to really get up on the wheel to qualify. We got fifth, so I was like, ‘If we’re going out that late, we weren’t bad.’ And then once we made that bottom groove work in the heat race and made the last-lap pass on (Tim McCreadie), it gave me a pretty good amount of confidence for the feature. I don’t think anyone else was really able to stick down there good.
“Then in the feature, it was a tire gamble, what are we going to go with? But I think everyone had the same thing out there. Fell back to fourth, I was a little worried, but the second I got to the top, I got rolling and was like, ‘OK, here we go, we can win this thing as long as the seas stay parted for us.’ ”
There have also been some behind-the-scenes changes at Bobby Pierce Racing since their previous victory at Central Arizona Raceway in January. Shortly after that event, tire specialist Austin Hemmen informed Pierce of his decision to leave the team after five years to relocate to Scottsdale, Ariz., with his girlfriend, Christine Mahnke. That opened the door for someone new to join one of the sport’s most successful teams.
The role was filled by Florence, Ala., native Brilee Putnam, the son of regional Late Model racer Josh Putnam. One of the main job requirements at BPR is a willingness to have your picture taken in victory lane dozens of times per year, and Hendry County marked the first one with the new lineup.
“It’s great. We’ve got Darian (Delattre) doing tires now, Brilee, this is his first win with the team,” Pierce said. “Everyone’s working hard, jiving together well. It’s always tough when you get thrown those challenges of having to find more help, having to train. Austin did my tires, so to have to throw someone else on that job and then also have to find someone else on top of that, it was a bit of a challenge, but it worked out well.”
Pierce had the car on Saturday night to complete the weekend sweep, but he admittedly wasn’t aggressive enough at the right moments in the race to keep Hoffman behind him and ultimately finished second. Nevertheless, morale is high in the No. 32 camp going into the springtime schedule, which begins with a March 13-14 Tennessee doubleheader that is significant for Pierce at both ends.
His engines are built 3 miles from Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn., at Vic Hill Race Engines and Hill has been instrumental in adding several major events to the track’s schedule in recent years, including a visit by the World of Outlaws for the first time in five years. Pierce’s on-track performances at Volunteer haven’t been anything to write home about though, with a best finish of 11th in four starts. It’s a different story 90 minutes down the road at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tenn., where Pierce won in his first start at the track last March in World of Outlaws action and is looking to go back-to-back next month. — Spence Smithback
SHELBY COUNTY IMPROVEMENTS: Shelby County Speedway in Harlan, Iowa, which hosts its richest event this season with the $52,000-to-win Silver Dollar Nationals on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, is undergoing upgrades, promoters Doug Batz and Gary Hopp announced. The third-mile oval has added bleacher seating to the pits, installed a catwalk and built a new pit concession stand. Another concession area was added for the grandstands and the adult beverage area has been updated. Additional, the track is adding a merchandise section. The track hosts a $15,000-to-win Lucas Oil event on July 16 and the Silver Dollar Nationals on July 17-18.
MISSOURI-BASED LIMITED TOUR: The Bodie Gamble-operated Ozark Limited Late Model Series launches its first season on April 4 at Nevada (Mo.) Speedway. The tour’s events pay $500-to-win and $100-to-start with two or three events per month at tracks in Missouri and Oklahoma. Along with Nevada, tracks hosting multiple events include Arrowhead Speedway in Colcord, Okla., Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Mo., Electric City Speedway in Butler, Mo., and Legit Speedway Park in West Plains, Mo. The series is also scheduled to visit Monett (Mo.) Motor Speedway, under new management in 2026.
VETERAN CREW MEMBER DIES: Donnie Carroll, a longtime Southeastern Dirt Late Model crew member, died Jan. 18. The Kingsport, Tenn., resident was 66. Carroll crewed for drivers including Hall of Famers Skip Arp and Freddy Smith, as well as former Southern All Star champion Roger Best. He most recently crewed for Kentucky driver Brandon Kinzer. In announcing his passing, the Kinzer team called Carroll "a well-respected crew member for some of the best racers in the Southeast.” No services were held; his wife Wanda died in 2023.
TRACK PUTS ITSELF ON THE CLOCK: BAPS Motor Speedway in York Haven, Pa., hopes to draw more fans by proving it can run an efficient race program. If July 25’s race program, which includes Limited Late Models, isn’t complete by 9 p.m., the Kolten Gouse-managed track will give fans vouchers for free admission to the next event. “We are always looking for ways to streamline our events and make them fan-friendly,” Gouse said. “This isn’t something we can do all the time, but we thought it would be a fun promotion and something that would add a little intrigue and interaction to one of our summer programs.” Heat races are scheduled for 7 p.m. meaning the track is aiming for a two-hour program. “If we are done in two hours, it’s good for fans,” Gouse said. “If we aren’t, it’s still good for them, as well. Call it a win-win for everybody involved.”
DUCK RIVER SPECIALS: Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, Tenn., has announced three unsanctioned Super Late Model specials in 2026, including the $7,500-to-win Gobbler on Nov. 14. The track is also hosting a $5,000-to-win Fourth of July special and Sept. 6’s Sam Pugh Memorial paying $5,026-to-win. Series events are set for March 14 (Ultimate Southeast and Heart of America), May 16 (Southern All Stars) and May 24 (Schaeffer's Spring Nationals). Duck River's Big Deal for 602 Crate Late Models pays $6,000-to-win on Sept. 25-26.
RUSH SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED: The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Crate Late Model Series announced a 2026 schedule with 20 events among 12 tracks and a $76,200 points fund. Minimum paydays are $4,000-to-win with six events paying more, including the $20,000-to-win Bill Emig Memorial at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. Jeremy Wonderling of Wellsville, N.Y., is the five-time and reigning champion and will chase the $20,000 champion’s prize. The April 18 opener at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway in Imperial, Pa., will mark the earliest season start in tour history. Mansfield (Ohio) Speedway is the lone first-time series track, hosting an Aug. 11 race.
VIRGINIA PROMOTER STEPS AWAY: Virginia promoter Langley Austin, who last season promoted the Ararat (Va.) Bullring and was set to assist the track in 2026 with new owner Bo Miller, has stepped away from his role at Ararat and Miller’s other track, Oak Level Raceway in Bassett, Valley. “I’m disappointed but it just didn’t work out,” Austin wrote on his Facebook page. “Sometimes people’s goals, vision and priorities stop aligning and it’s best for them to part ways. I wish Bo the best and am confident that both tracks will have successful seasons. I look forward to attending often as a fan.” Austin will continuing his promotions at the paved Franklin County Speedway in Callaway, Va.
RUSH TEAM OWNER DIES: Tim Cole of Conneaut, Ohio, a former racer and team owner for RUSH Crate Late Model competitor William Pinckney, died Feb. 13 of an apparent heart attack. He was 63. Cole, who stepped away from racing because of medical conditions, fielded Pinckney’s car for events at tracks including Stateline Speedway in Busti, N.Y., Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., and Conneaut’s Raceway 7.
ODDS AND ENDS: RaceOn will be the live streaming partner for the Midwest LateModel Racing Association, the Missouri-based tour announced. … Oklahoma Sports Park in Ada, Okla., who has hosted 17 Ross Foundation Sooner Late Model Series events, is reopening in 2026 under new owners Heath and Brittany Briggs, who bought the 4/10-mile oval from founder and owner George Welch. … Joyce Melvin of Silvis, Ill., who for 25 years promoted East Moline (Ill.) Speedway among other tracks, died Jan. 17 at the age of 87. She promoted the track with her partner, Bobby Toland. … I-55 Federated Raceway Park in Pevely, Mo., announced its DIRTcar-sanctioned Super Late Model division will chase $2,000-to-win purses every other Saturday. … The American Crate Late Model Series named Chase Lollar as the tour announcer. … Golden Mountain Speedway in Sparta, Tenn., which reopened last season with a full schedule, has scaled back to four events for 2026 because of business and family commitments. May 15 (Southern All Stars), May 30 (American All-Star Series) and June 13 (Topless Outlaws) are among events. … Longtime Minnesota dirt racing photographer Collin Nelson of Alexandria died on Feb. 1 at age 46. … Former Talladega Short Track racer Wren Turner of Munford, Ala., died Jan. 14 at the age of 69. … Friendship Motor Speedway in Elkin, N.C., postponed its North Carolina Speedway from late February to March 10-14 with a mix of Limited and Crate Late Model events. … East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City won’t run a regular Super Late Model division like last season, but it has added Crate Racin’ USA sanctioning for 604 and 602 Crate Late Model divisions.
Editor's note: Updates with more details about Donnie Carroll's passing.
