RECAP: Pierce Scores Second Win of 2017!
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (June 27, 2017) – Austin Pierce recorded his second win of the 2017 season on Friday night at River Cities Speedway. Pierce put on a dominating performance as he led all 25 laps en route to the win.
“The key was to protect the high side and be as smooth as I could through the ruts on the cushion,” said Pierce, who extended his NOSA Sprints lead over the weekend. “I knew I would be ok if I could hit my marks.”
Pierce was challenged by nine-time and defending NOSA champion, Wade Nygaard on lap seven, but the driver of the Opp Construction / Lithia Ford No. 2A fended off Nygaard.
At the halfway point, a red flag prompted a restart with Nygaard and Chris Ranten in tow.
“The restarts were really important. Wade and Chris tried to push me up to the top, but I knew there wasn’t much to get a hold of in turns three and four until coming out four. So I just tried to wait to take off until then,” said Pierce. “Once we got going, lapped traffic forced me down low a few times, which helped me find the rubber at the end.”
The win marked Austin’s 17th of his career.
The win had extra meaning as it was his son, Grayson’s, first time at the races and first time in victory lane.
On Thursday night, Pierce and the crew were checked in at Norman County Raceway for NOSA’s annual visit to Ada, Minnesota. Coming in as the defending race winner, the team had high hopes.
After finishing third in a stacked heat race, Austin lined up seventh on the 24-car grid.
Pierce cracked the top five on lap seven, but deteriorating track conditions made passing a premium.
Pierce was able to move by Shane Roemeling for fourth with nine laps to go before taking the checkers.
Saturday’s scheduled event at River Cities Speedway was cancelled due to rain.
Austin and the entire team would like to thank their sponsors for their continued support!
Opp Construction
Lithia Ford Lincoln of Grand Forks
Highland Excavating
Dahlstrom Motors Inc.
Bun Lounge
AJ’s Sandblasting & Painting
Solem Farms
Vollrath Farms
Hillesland Farms
Grand Forks Abstract & Title (GFabstract.com)
Adams Marketing Promotions
Auggie’s Flying Service
Ostrich Racing Engines
EMi – Eagle Motorsports, Schnee, Henchcraft, Stallard
Up Next:
June 30th: River Cities Speedway – NOSA Sprints
July 1st: Official Greenbush Race Park – NOSA Sprints
2017 Stats:
Races – 12
Wins – 2
Top 5’s – 9
Top 10’s – 9
Heat Wins – 5
