Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Illinois, became the youngest driver to ever win the World 100 on Sept. 10 at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway located in Rossburg, Ohio.
The 19-year-old Pierce, who started 22nd, earned $49,000 for his second Late Model crown jewel victory of the season.
Dennis Erb Jr., who won the $100,000 Dirt Late Model Dream in June at Eldora, finished second, followed by Dale McDowell, Billy Moyer Jr. and Earl Pearson, Jr.
Completing the top 10 were Chris Simpson, Shane Clanton, Michael Page, Don O’Neal of Martinsville and Kent Robinson of Bloomington.
Jackson 100
The biggest dirt Late Model race in the state of Indiana will take place next weekend at Brownstown Speedway. There will be two days of racing at the Jackson County Fairgrounds’ quarter-mile facility.The Bowman 50 for the Indiana Pro Late Model Series will take place Friday. Also racing Friday night will be Pure Stocks, Hornets and Mini-Sprints. Also on Friday night will be qualifying for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series to determine the heat race lineups for Saturday.
On Sept. 24, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series takes center stage with heat races, B-mains and the 100-lap feature race paying $20,000 to win. Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Georgia, is the defending race winner. Also racing at Brownstown on Sept. 24 will be Modifieds and Super Stocks.
Among those expected to compete in next weekend’s Jackson 100 are Lucas Oil regulars Scott Bloomquist, Jonathan Davenport, Brandon Sheppard, Tim McCreadie, Don O’Neal, Dennis Erb Jr., Darrell Lanigan, Earl Pearson Jr., Steve Francis, Jimmy Owens and rookie Colton Flinner.
Tonight Brownstown will host the “Jackson 100 Tuneup” for Super Late Models, Indiana Pro Late Models, Modifieds, Super Stocks and Pure Stocks. For more information, visit brownstownspeedway.com.
Twin Cities racing tonight
After being rained out last week, Twin Cities Raceway Park in Vernon will be back in action tonight with the Bill McRoberts Memorial Race. On the race card will be Crate Late Models, Mini-Sprints, Pure Stocks and Hornets. For more information, visit twincitiesracewwaypark.net.On Sept. 4, Twin Cities named its newest class of Hall of Fame inductees. The class of 2016 includes Mark Bruce, Tim Clark, Phil Fultz, Russ Petro, Don Walp and George Webster.
Lawrenceburg racing tonight
The Lawrenceburg Speedway will hold its “Night of Champions” as the track hosts it regular division program with Sprint Cars, Modifieds, Pure Stocks and Hornets. For more info, visit lawrenceburgspeedway.com.
Bell wins ARCA race at Salem
Christopher Bell of Norman, Oklahoma, won the ARCA 200 on Sept. 17 at Salem Speedway in Salem. Tom Hessert finished in second, followed by Bret Holmes, Josh Williams and John Wes Townley.Chase Briscoe of Mitchell, the current points leader, finished in sixth. Matt Kurzejewksi, Mason Mingus, Zane Smith and A.J. Fike completed the top 10.
The event marked the 100th appearance by the ARCA Series at Salem Speedway.
This week in racing history
From 1968 the season finale at 25th Street Speedway in Columbus, the Late Model feature winner was Jack Owens. Gene Petro of Columbus finished second, followed by Gene Dalton and Pete Willoughby Sr.This weekend in 1971 at Brownstown, Kenny Simpson won the Late Model feature over Ira Bastin, Luther Burton of Taylorsville, Chris Bradley and Russ Petro of Columbus.
From 1976, Butch Wilkerson of Columbus won the Sprint Car feature at Lawrenceburg Speedway. Dick Gaines finished second, followed by Bob Kinser.
The season finale at Brownstown Speedway 40 years ago saw Roger Absher win the Late Model feature over Jim Curry and Russ Petro of Columbus.
Phil Fultz of Clifford won the Hobby Stock main event at Brownstown. Chuck Gilpin of Columbus was second, followed by Ed Covey.
In 1986 at Twin Cities, Gary Cooksey won the Late Model feature over Dick Phillips of Columbus, Robert Brison of North Vernon, Scott McKeand of North Vernon and Jim Beeman of North Vernon.
Phil Fultz of Clifford won the Street Stock main event. Mark Bruce was second, with Rolla MIllspaugh finishing third. Larry Gingery and Tommy Sallee, both of Columbus, rounded out the top five.
At Brownstown 30 years ago, there were twin Late Model features held. Roger Long won the first feature over Ernie Barrow, Scott Graham, John Gill and Barry Magers. In second feature, it was Jim Curry taking the win over Roger Long, Ernie Barrow, John Gill and Ray Godsey.
Mike Jewell won the Modified Street Stock feature over Steve Trabue, Mark Barber of North Vernon, Jack Taylor and Bobby Johnson of Columbus.
Ray Humphrey won the Street Stock main over Denny Campbell, Larry Harris, Randy Petro of Columbus and Terry Arthur.
James Essex writes a motorsports notebook for The Republic, a sister paper of The Tribune. Send comments to [email protected].