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World of Outlaws Hawkeye 50
Boone Speedway | Boone, Iowa
Tuesday, August 01, 2023
Race Recap  

HAWKEYE HUSTLE: Bobby Pierce Navigates Perfect Line to Hold Off Ricky Thornton Jr. For Hawkeye 50 win at Boone

Displayed behind Bobby Pierce, watching him talk and smile to the cameras, was his newest trophy. The Hawkeye 50 trophy – second of his career.

While the event title represents Iowan’s nickname and the number of laps around Boone Speedway, it’s also a perfect summarization of Pierce’s performance Tuesday night; 50 laps of hawk-eyed vision for grip around the 1/4-mile track.

The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series returned to Boone Speedway for the third straight year to kick off racing in August during the Summer of Money, boasting a $15,000 payday.

Taking place two days after the Prairie Dirt Classic, where Pierce was passed late in the race by Ricky Thornton Jr. for the win and had to settle for another runner-up finish, the Hawkeye 50 was a chance for many to make up for their PDC loss. Or, for Thornton Jr., grab a second straight win with the Series – a feat he’d yet to do.

The start of the night saw Dennis Erb Jr. scoring the Simpson Quick Time Award, but then finishing second to Bobby Pierce in CASE No.1 Engine Oil Heat #1. Then, redraw found them 1-2, again.

Erb, the reigning Series champion, drew the pole. Pierce, the current Series points leader, drew the outside pole.

However, when the Feature commenced, Pierce picked up where he left off in the Heat race, darting around the outside of Erb and powered ahead to the lead. Once in clean air, Pierce pulled ahead by more than a second in the first few laps.

Behind him, Thornton was showing signs of putting on another memorable march from the sixth position. He snuck to fourth on the first lap and passed English for third by Lap 12. Two laps later, he took second from Erb. But that only lasted another three laps before Erb slid back by.

Four laps later, on Lap 22, Thornton threw his #20RT into Turn 3 and slid from the bottom to the top, clearing Erb for second. From there, full force ahead to try and catch Pierce.

Dennis Erb Jr. races Ricky Thornton Jr.
Dennis Erb Jr. (top) races Ricky Thornton Jr. (bottom) / Jacy Norgaard photo

The seeing-red charge Thornton put in place to run down and pass Pierce for the PDC win wasn’t fully manifesting this time around. He’d close a little, then lose a little. Close a little, lose a little.

Then, Pierce about slid people off their seats as he almost slid off the track. Entering Turn 1, his car washed high, a little too high, and his right rear tire went over the berm. Dancing with the throttle and wheel, he managed to keep his car going straight and on track, but before he could regain his composure, Thornton was looking underneath him.

“I think I went in there a little too easy and I didn’t get it whipped out enough. The right rear hit that cushion and kind of set the front end over and I was going a little too fast at the time too,” Pierce said. “When it happened, I saw Ricky right here (pointing to the left side of his car) and I was like, shoot, man, he all most got into me because he had nowhere to go. From then on, I knew I had to go something different. It wasn’t going to work doing that.”

At that point, Pierce started trying every line he could think of and make up. While he was top dominate most of the race, Pierce ran the low line for a few laps. But when he did that, Thornton moved to the top and closed on Pierce each time they hit a straightaway.

That wasn’t going to work either. New idea.

Pierce began running an awkward slider line, coming into turn like he was going to run the bottom, but then let his car slide to the middle of the track. That tactic helped him find the grip Thornton didn’t have and pull away again.

“Once that lip of cushion went off the racetrack, you couldn’t get that boost anymore, so you wasted time going out there,” Pierce said. “So, I knew it was either bottom or middle. Neither of them felt good, so I was like f*** it, I’m just going to go in there. I’ve seen some guys do that in Qualifying and it works out alright. I figured it was dirty enough I could do all that again. I just cut that corner time off and just matted down the straightaways.”

His hawk-eyed observation of the surface paid off, leading Pierce to a 1.2 second victory of Thornton. It was Pierce’s second Hawkeye 50 triumph, and sixth Series win of the year. He’s also on a streak of four top-two finishes in a row with the World of Outlaws.

With roles reversed, Thornton found himself in second behind Pierce this time. He knew once Pierce found his line his car had nothing more to give.

“I felt pretty good, I knew it was going to be tough to beat Bobby off the front row,” Thornton said. “He’s really good wherever it’s dirty like this. He’s a little bit better in that condition than we are… Overall, a really good night for us. I went with a little bit of a different tire-wise than they did. Really, I didn’t want the yellow (on Lap 39). I felt like I was maintaining or maybe a tick better than he was before the yellow and then after that he was way better than I was. I think I just burned my stuff up trying to get up to him.”

After the caution on Lap 39, English took advantage of the tightened field to challenge and pass Erb for the final spot on the podium.

“We’ve been struggling a little bit since we left Kansas,” English said. “Back on the same tires and back on kind of some of the same tracks. Maybe there is something to that. Maybe that is why we run good… I wasn’t as good as I thought I needed to be tonight. I felt not very good and I was really surprised I was able to hang with them there at the end. I’m just happy to have a good finish.”

Chris Madden finished fourth and Ryan Gustin 11th, swapping them in points with Madden back up to second. However, with Pierce winning, Madden is back by 84 points. Gustin, in third is now 90 points back.

After the cameras had their time with Pierce in Victory Lane, he didn’t need be hawk-eyed or eagle-eyed to spot the two-foot-tall trophy staring at him. It said everything it needed to about his night.

Bobby Pierce wins at Boone
Bobby Pierce celebrates World of Outlaws win at Boone / Jacy Norgaard photo

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series returns to Cedar Lake Speedway for the prestigious $50,000-to-win USA Nationals, Aug. 3-5. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision.

RESULTS:
CASE Construction Equipment Late Mode Feature (50 Laps): 1. 32-Bobby Pierce[2]; 2. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[6]; 3. 96V-Tanner English[3]; 4. 44-Chris Madden[7]; 5. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[1]; 6. 3S-Brian Shirley[11]; 7. 97-Cade Dillard[5]; 8. 25-Shane Clanton[9]; 9. 18D-Daulton Wilson[10]; 10. 30-Todd Cooney[13]; 11. 19R-Ryan Gustin[4]; 12. 11-Gordy Gundaker[12]; 13. 9-Nick Hoffman[15]; 14. B1-Brent Larson[19]; 15. B5-Brandon Sheppard[14]; 16. 1ST-Johnny Scott[8]; 17. 40B-Kyle Bronson[21]; 18. 32B-Cody Laney[22]; 19. 14G-Trevor Gundaker[16]; 20. 8-Kyle Strickler[18]; 21. 25S-Chad Simpson[17]; 22. 14W-Dustin Walker[23]; 23. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[24]; 24. 32S-Chris Simpson[20]

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Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+132Bobby Pierce 500.00050Running150$15,000
26+420RTRicky Thornton Jr.50-1.277Running146$7,000
33096VTanner English 50-1.997Running144$4,000
47+344Chris Madden 50-3.179Running142$3,500
51-428Dennis Erb Jr50-4.023Running140$3,200
611+53SBrian Shirley 50-4.689Running138$3,000
75-297Cade Dillard 50-6.662Running136$2,700
89+125Shane Clanton 50-7.513Running134$2,500
910+118DDaulton Wilson 50-8.590Running132$2,300
1013+330Todd Cooney 50-8.737Running130$2,200
114-719RRyan Gustin 50-9.060Running128$2,100
1212011Gordy Gundaker 50-9.652Running126$2,000
1315+29Nick Hoffman 50-10.112Running124$1,700
1419+5B1Brent Larson 50-10.118Running122$1,600
1514-1B5Brandon Sheppard 50-11.494Running120$1,400
168-81STJohnny Scott 50-11.721Running118$1,300
1721+440BKyle Bronson 49-1 LapsRunning116$1,200
1822+432BCody Laney 49-1 LapsRunning114$1,200
1916-314GTrevor Gundaker 49-1 LapsRunning112$1,200
2018-28Kyle Strickler 32-18 LapsDNF110$1,200
2117-425SChad Simpson 31-19 LapsDNF108$1,200
2223+114WDustin Walker 30-20 LapsDNF106$1,200
2324+122Daniel Hilsabeck 21-29 LapsDNF104$1,200
2420-432SChris Simpson 6-44 LapsDNF104$1,200
FOX Factory Hard Charger: Brian Shirley
Last Chance Showdown Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+1B1Brent Larson 100.0005Running0$0
21-132SChris Simpson 10-1.1095Running0$0
34+140BKyle Bronson 10-2.273Running0$0
43-132BCody Laney 10-4.140Running0$0
56+122Daniel Hilsabeck 10-5.021Running0$0
65-122MCharlie McKenna 10-5.694Running100$110
770174Ethan Dotson 10-6.070Running100$110
810+238Thomas Hunziker 10-7.614Running100$110
98-17Drake Troutman 0-10 LapsDNS100$0
109-114WDustin Walker 0-10 LapsDNS0$0
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+132Bobby Pierce 80.0008Running
21-128Dennis Erb Jr8-0.290Running
33044Chris Madden 8-1.312Running
44018DDaulton Wilson 8-1.724Running
55030Todd Cooney 8-2.584Running
66014GTrevor Gundaker 8-4.218Running
78+132SChris Simpson 8-5.121Running
810+240BKyle Bronson 8-5.754Running
97-2174Ethan Dotson 8-6.501Running
109-138Thomas Hunziker 8-9.302Running
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11019RRyan Gustin 80.0008Running
24+296VTanner English 8-0.494Running
3301STJohnny Scott 8-2.164Running
46+23SBrian Shirley 8-2.519Running
550B5Brandon Sheppard 8-3.035Running
67+125SChad Simpson 8-4.304Running
78+1B1Brent Larson 8-5.311Running
89+122MCharlie McKenna 8-8.143Running
92-77Drake Troutman 4-4 LapsDNF
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+197Cade Dillard 80.0008Running
21-120RTRicky Thornton Jr.8-0.706Running
34+125Shane Clanton 8-2.403Running
43-111Gordy Gundaker 8-3.329Running
5509Nick Hoffman 8-4.523Running
6608Kyle Strickler 8-6.327Running
77032BCody Laney 8-6.999Running
88022Daniel Hilsabeck 8-7.586Running
99014WDustin Walker 8-11.591Running
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
11828Dennis Erb JrCarpentersville, IL14.8450.000
2319RRyan Gustin Marshalltown, IA14.847-0.002
3620RTRicky Thornton Jr.Adel, IA14.888-0.043
41932Bobby Pierce Oakwood, IL14.895-0.050
5157Drake Troutman Hyndman, PA15.036-0.191
61797Cade Dillard Robeline, LA15.046-0.201
7544Chris Madden Gray Court, SC15.056-0.211
821STJohnny Scott Las Cruces, NM15.079-0.234
91611Gordy Gundaker St. Charles, MO15.122-0.277
102618DDaulton Wilson Fayetteville, NC15.141-0.296
111096VTanner English Benton, KY15.147-0.302
12425Shane Clanton Zebulon, GA15.155-0.310
132730Todd Cooney Des Moines, IA15.160-0.315
1420B5Brandon Sheppard New Berlin, IL15.179-0.334
15289Nick Hoffman Mooresville, NC15.193-0.348
16114GTrevor Gundaker St. Charles, MO15.233-0.388
17113SBrian Shirley Chatham, IL15.267-0.422
18128Kyle Strickler Mooresville, NC15.277-0.432
1925174Ethan Dotson Bakersfield, CA15.305-0.460
20825SChad Simpson Mt. Vernon, IA15.401-0.556
211332BCody Laney Torrance, CA15.426-0.581
222332SChris Simpson Oxford, IA15.461-0.616
2322B1Brent Larson Lake Elmo, MN15.512-0.667
242122Daniel Hilsabeck Earlham, IA15.694-0.849
251438Thomas Hunziker Bend, OR15.742-0.897
26922MCharlie McKenna Ames, IA16.059-1.214
27714WDustin Walker Polk, MO16.412-1.567
282440BKyle Bronson Brandon, FL16.412-1.567
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
12440BKyle Bronson Brandon, FL15.2850.000
21932Bobby Pierce Oakwood, IL15.327-0.042
3157Drake Troutman Hyndman, PA15.453-0.168
42730Todd Cooney Des Moines, IA15.454-0.169
52618DDaulton Wilson Fayetteville, NC15.469-0.184
61797Cade Dillard Robeline, LA15.568-0.283
7289Nick Hoffman Mooresville, NC15.578-0.293
820B5Brandon Sheppard New Berlin, IL15.632-0.347
91096VTanner English Benton, KY15.684-0.399
101611Gordy Gundaker St. Charles, MO15.710-0.425
112332SChris Simpson Oxford, IA15.719-0.434
1225174Ethan Dotson Bakersfield, CA15.797-0.512
131828Dennis Erb JrCarpentersville, IL15.926-0.641
14113SBrian Shirley Chatham, IL15.974-0.689
15825SChad Simpson Mt. Vernon, IA16.047-0.762
16319RRyan Gustin Marshalltown, IA16.061-0.776
17128Kyle Strickler Mooresville, NC16.094-0.809
1822B1Brent Larson Lake Elmo, MN16.101-0.816
1921STJohnny Scott Las Cruces, NM16.274-0.989
201332BCody Laney Torrance, CA16.305-1.020
21114GTrevor Gundaker St. Charles, MO16.406-1.121
22544Chris Madden Gray Court, SC16.444-1.159
23620RTRicky Thornton Jr.Adel, IA16.483-1.198
24922MCharlie McKenna Ames, IA16.499-1.214
25714WDustin Walker Polk, MO16.577-1.292
26425Shane Clanton Zebulon, GA16.584-1.299
272122Daniel Hilsabeck Earlham, IA16.887-1.602
281438Thomas Hunziker Bend, OR17.657-2.372
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

World of Outlaws Hawkeye 50
Tuesday, August 01, 2023
Boone Speedway
1481 223rd Pl
Boone, Iowa 50036 

Event Description
For the 3rd straight season, Boone Speedway returns to the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models schedule. A single thrilling night on tap for the Boone, IA facility, with $15,000 up for grabs in the Hawkeye 50.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Late Model Series

Support Divisions
DIRTcar Late Models

To Win Amount
$15,000.00

Event Schedule
4PM Pit Gates Open
5PM Grandstand Gates Open
7PM Hot Laps/Qualifying and racing to follow
*All times Central

Event Hashtag
#Hawkeye50

Ticket Options  
Options And Prices
VIP Ticket: $45 (General Admission within the VIP seating area)
Reserved: $35 Advanced / $40 Day of
GA: $30 Advanced / $35 Day of
Child GA: $10


Discounts
None

Grandstand Type
Bleachers - No Back on the seats

Handicapped Seating Location
Front row of the GA section

Pit Age Requirement
None

Pit Gate Location
Located on the East end of the track

Parking Cost
Free

Handicapped Parking Location
Adjacent to the main entrance

Camping Availability
onsite

Camping Cost
VIP $150/ Self-Contained $50

Frequently Asked Questions  
Support Divisions
DIRTcar Late Models

To Win Amount
$15,000.00

Type of Grandstand
Bleachers - No Back on the seats

Stadium Seating
NO stadium seats, only seat cushions allowed

Handicapped Seating
Front row of the GA section

Handicapped Parking
Adjacent to the main entrance

Pit Age Limit
None

Pit Gate Location
Located on the East end of the track

Personal Coolers
Coolers are NOT permitted

ATMs
1

Alcohol Sales
No outside food or drink including alcohol can be brought in.
Alcohol is available for sale on site

Smoking Policy
No smoking in the facility

Parking Cost
Free

Camping Availability
onsite

Camping Cost
VIP $150/ Self-Contained $50

Track Info  

Boone Speedway
1481 223rd Pl
Boone, Iowa 50036 

Track Phone
(515) 432-1795

Track Type
0.250; high-banked dirt oval

Late Model Track Record
14.577 by Billy Moyer on 4/30/21

Pit Gate Location
Located on the East end of the track

Track Map
Competitor Info  
Competitor Downloads
 https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php

Tire Rules
Left Front & Left Rear & Right Front Tire: Hoosier (90) NLMT3, (90) W30 Right Rear Tire: Hoosier (92) NLMT3, (92) W30, (92) NLMT4 **Grooving & Siping will be allowed**

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