After the Checkers
Reaction, analysis of Pierce's Cedar Lake win
By Kyle McFadden
DirtonDirt.com staff reporter
Bobby and Bob Pierce in victory lane at Cedar Lake. (Todd Boyd)
NEW RICHMOND, Wis. (Aug. 1) — Instant reaction and analysis from Saturday’s 100-lap USA Nationals finale, a $100,000-to-win World of Outlaws Late Model Series event captured by Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill. (RaceWire):
SWEET VICTORY: Bobby Pierce has a way of making winning look run-of-the-mill, but Saturday's third USA Nationals triumph of his career might've carried more meaning than any of his 24 victories in 2026. It was his first since father Bob Pierce suffered a serious stroke on July 15, ending what, by Bobby's lofty standards, felt like an unusually long drought — five races and 18 days between victories, his longest since going from Jan. 18 to Feb. 20 without a win. Considering how much of the family's attention has understandably shifted toward Bob's recovery, this $100,000 triumph felt like more than another crown jewel in Bobby's ever-growing collection. It was a welcome moment of joy for a family that's spent the last two-and-a-half weeks focused on getting their beloved Bob the care he needs to make the fullest possible recovery. Equally remarkable was Bob's return to the track. At 74, and barely two-and-a-half weeks removed from that frightening medical emergency and a week-long hospital stay, he resumed what the family estimates is "90 percent" of his usual race-day duties. Saturday's victory served up a celebration in its own right, but it also symbolized how Pierces' greatest triumph the past two-and-a-half weeks is Bob's remarkable recovery.
TIME CHECK: I understand Cedar Lake Speedway wanted to make up Friday's program before Saturday's finale. Cutting anything from the schedule — especially a support class that helps the back gate or traditions tied to the USA Nationals — isn't ideal. But at some point, an 8.5-hour program is simply too much. I'm no race promoter, nor do I pretend to know everything it takes to pull off an event of the USA Nationals' magnitude. Still, it's hard to believe there weren't opportunities to trim the night. Midnight driver introductions weren't necessary. Limited Late Model qualifying could've been scrapped in favor of an invert based on Friday's makeup feature that ran earlier in the day. And, in hindsight, some of the lengthy track work before the B-mains and again before the feature probably didn't need to be as extensive. Look, I have total respect for everyone who puts on the USA Nationals. It's one of the best events in Dirt Late Model racing. But when rain isn't a factor, a 1:10 a.m. finish just isn't acceptable. Our crown jewel events must end at a reasonable hour, even if that means sacrificing some of the traditions that have made the USA Nationals the spectacle it's known as today. Saturday’s dragged-out program put a serious damper on my first USA Nationals experience, which is unfortunate — and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way.
WHAT IF?: I can't help but wonder how another handful of laps might've changed the complexion of Saturday's feature. While Bobby Pierce largely controlled the second half of the 100-lapper, Brandon Sheppard finally started making headway through the middle groove in the closing laps and had closed noticeably on Pierce coming to the checkered flag. Pierce admitted afterward that another bout through lapped traffic likely wouldn't have worked in his favor. Sheppard, meanwhile, simply couldn't find enough momentum around the top against perhaps the sport’s best cushion rider. It felt like the racetrack was on the verge of a fascinating transition just as the race ended. Add Hudson O'Neal to the conversation, too, charging from 20th and briefly inserting himself into the battle for the lead before knocking the deck out of his car and fading to fourth.
CLOSE AGAIN: Brandon Sheppard has now put himself in position to win every 100-lap race he's entered this season — six if you count the Herald & Review 100, which he won driving his family-owned No. B5. That's both an encouraging indicator of Rocket1 Racing's trajectory and a frustrating reminder that, despite having crown jewel-winning speed, only one of those races has ended in victory — at last week's Prairie Dirt Classic. Fortunately for them, the North-South 100, Topless 100, World 100, Knoxville Late Model Nationals and Jackson 100 remain. A few triumphs in those events would flip the script from a season of what-ifs to one that fulfilled its potential.
HOME-TRACK HOPE: Dustin Sorensen didn't crack the top five until the final lap, but a fifth-place finish nonetheless made him just the fourth driver to record multiple USA Nationals top-five finishes over the last three years, joining Bobby Pierce, Hudson O'Neal and Ryan Gustin. The result was even more impressive considering Sorensen pitted with 34 laps remaining, restarted 21st and climbed from eighth to fifth over the final eight laps. As mentioned above, it felt like the racetrack was just beginning to transition in the closing stages, a development that played right into Sorensen's hands. At 25, the Rochester, Minn., native has already shown he can contend in this event. If he continues on this trajectory, it’s possible he eventually adds his name to the USA Nationals winners list at one of his home tracks.
STAT OF THE NIGHT: Bobby Pierce is the third driver to win the Show-Me 100, Dirt Late Model Dream and USA Nationals in the same season. The other two? Scott Bloomquist in 2008 and Jonathan Davenport in 2015. In fact, Davenport went on to win the North-South 100, World 100, Jackson 100 and World Finals finale that very same season.
