After the Checkers
Instant reaction, analysis of Pierce's Sharon win
By Kyle McFadden
DirtonDirt staff reporter
Bobby Pierce celebrates at Sharon Speedway. (Emily Schwanke)
HARTFORD, Ohio (July 11) — Instant reaction and analysis from Saturday's Battle at the Border finale at Sharon Speedway, a $20,000-to-win World of Outlaws Late Model Series event captured by Bobby Pierce (RaceWire):
UNMATCHED: Just when it seems Bobby Pierce might finally start to cool off, he gets right back to business. After Wednesday's fifth-place finish at Stateline — which felt more like a 15th-place result by Pierce's lofty standards and ended his six-race WoO win streak that dated back to June 13 at West Virginia Motor Speedway — Pierce was back in complete command Saturday at Sharon. The rain from the night before played into his hands. The extra moisture left Sharon's typically glassy-slick surface rougher and choppier than usual, creating conditions Pierce embraced. While everyone else cautiously worked their way around the 3/8-mile oval — careful not to drive too deep into the corners or get too aggressive along the cushion — Pierce attacked every lap vigorously. His entries into the corners were noticeably deeper than anyone else's, allowing him to carry tremendous momentum onto the straightaways while the rest of the field looked comparatively flat. If anything, Pierce pushed the pace even more as the race progressed, seemingly realizing just how hard he could continue driving into the corners. That confidence paid off in traffic. When Hoffman got hung up against the turns one and two cushion on lap 17, Pierce pounced and never looked back — another familiar script in a season that has increasingly belonged to him. Now sitting at 22 victories with at least 46 races still remaining on his schedule, the 40-win mark is within reason. It’s a legitimate possibility, something we'll examine further in the Stat of the Night below.
BRIDESMAID: Nick Hoffman has to be tired of seeing Bobby Pierce cross the finish line first. Since his FloRacing Night in America victory at Eldora on June 3, Hoffman has finished on the podium nine times in 13 races, including five runner-up finishes to Pierce. Two of his other podiums also came in races Pierce won. On the season, Hoffman has finished second to Pierce eight times. Remove Pierce from the equation, and Hoffman would be sitting on 14 series victories — a total that would put him in striking distance of the single-season series wins record. (See Stat of the Night below.) The silver lining? Pierce winning 11 of his last 14 races doesn't feel sustainable forever. Eventually, the trend has to cool ... right?
MITCHELL'S PROMISE: Zack Mitchell has looked right at home with Team 22 Inc., almost picking up where Drake Troutman left off despite stepping into an entirely new situation. While Saturday's 10th-place finish wasn't satisfying after running as high as fourth, the bigger takeaway is that Mitchell has been in the mix immediately. He finished second in his debut Wednesday at Stateline, then raced with the leaders again Saturday. A few adjustments and it wouldn't be surprising to see him in victory lane — or at least chasing down Bobby Pierce. Beyond the speed, Mitchell drives with poise and professionalism, making him a great hire for G.R. Smith's team. If this early chemistry continues, don't be surprised if Team 22 scores a WoO victory before the season is over.
TOUGH BREAK: It was hard not to feel for Boom Briggs, whose promising night unraveled when he clipped an infield tractor tire while trying to protect the lead in his heat race. The 55-year-old surprised just about everyone — including himself — by laying down the fastest lap late in Group B qualifying. Briggs believed he had the car to run comfortably in the top five all night, but the spin in his heat forced him to rally from the back. With Max Blair, Daulton Wilson and Dillon McCowan all earning their first national touring victories recently, it would've been a wild storyline if Briggs had joined the list. Even if he'd won his heat, drawn the pole and led the early laps, though, it's hard to imagine anyone denying Bobby Pierce on Saturday. Still, it's fun to wonder what might have been.
STAT OF THE NIGHT: Pierce's 17th World of Outlaws victory this season leaves him just one shy of the single-season series record of 18, shared by Rocket1 Racing's Brandon Sheppard (2017, 2019) and Josh Richards (2016). What's remarkable is how much racing Pierce still has left. Richards didn't collect his 17th series victory until Aug. 28, while Sheppard reached No. 17 on Aug. 29 in 2019 and Sept. 24 in 2017. Pierce is there on July 11, putting him on a pace that could shatter the record. The bigger number to watch, though, is 40. Pierce owns 22 overall victories this season and still has at least 46 races remaining on his current schedule. At his current 38.6 percent win rate, he'd be projected to win roughly 18 more races (17.8, to be exact), putting him right at the 40-win mark. Of course, that's assuming the remaining schedule is completed — a tall task with a few inevitable rainouts in between — but the math alone shows just how special Pierce's season has become.
