Pierce Collects a Pair of Third Place Finishes!
GRAND FORKS, ND (August 3) – Austin Pierce and the Lithia Ford/Opp Construction team had two races on the schedule last weekend, beginning Friday night at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks.
After picking up his seventh heat race win of the season, Austin started the 25-lap main event in the eight starting spot. Things weren’t looking good for the two-time and defending River Cities Speedway track champion, as he rode in the 11th position at the halfway point.
A late race rally by Pierce was an exciting one. After a restart on lap 19, Pierce went from eighth to fourth in one lap. In the final five circuits Austin battled with Nick Omdahl and Wade Nygaard before getting by Omdahl and holding off the #9Nof Nygaard to finish in third.
“It was a good race overall,” said Austin. “We fell back at the beginning, but made our way forward at the end. We have to get better in the first eight laps and if we can do that I think we’ll be up there competing for wins.”
Saturday night the APR crew followed the NOSA series to Greenbush Race Park in Greenbush, MN. A second place finish in the heat put the #2Amachine seventh in the lineup for the feature.
Once again Pierce dropped back a couple positions early, but was able to find a fast groove and move to the front of the field in the closing laps. While Casey Mack held a comfortable lead, Pierce battled with Bobby Martin and Shane Roemeling for positions two, three, and four. When the checkers flew, Austin crossed the line in third, capping off the weekend with another strong finish.
“I think we had a first or second place car,” continued Austin. “But I kind of struggled in the beginning and had to fight my way back up there. At the end of the race it took rubber which made it’s too hard to pass with the last few to go.”
Austin currently sits third in the River Cities Speedway point standings, 38 points behind Mark Dobmeier.
Season Stats:
Races: 21
Wins: 1
Top 5’s: 13
Top 10’s: 15
Heat Wins: 7
Upcoming Events:
August 5th: River Cities Speedway
