Another Banner Season – Austin Pierce Claims NOSA & River Cities Speedway Titles!

September 21, 2017March 10, 2018 Mike Spieker

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (September 21, 2017) – Austin Pierce’s 2017 season came to a close last weekend. By weekend’s end the driver of the Opp Construction / Lithia Ford No. 2A would secure two championships; a feat he hadn’t accomplished since the 2014 season.

Unfortunately, Friday night’s season finale at River Cities Speedway was washed out due to rain. Coming into the night, all Austin would have had to do was unload his machine out of the trailer to get the 10 show points, which would have secured the championship. Still, the rainout automatically gave Austin his third River Cities Speedway track championship.

“Pretty much all of our sponsors are based locally in Grand Forks. I think every one gets out to the races at River Cities Speedway too,” said Austin. “So to win the track championship and represent all of them at our home track is something we are exceptionally proud of.”

Austin’s three wins, division-leading 14 top fives and 14 top tens in 17 races are what propelled him to the top of the standings early in the season and kept him up there for the duration of the year.

On Sunday evening, the Buffalo Wild Wings Northern Outlaw Sprint Association (NOSA) season came to an end at Devils Lake Speedway. The consistency of the Austin Pierce Racing team put them in a solid position again atop the point standings. As was the case at River Cities, all Austin had to do was unload the car to gain the 10 show points, which secured the series championship for him.

“We were really excited to get the NOSA championship as well,” said Austin. “It had been three years since we won it so it feels pretty good for the crew and I.”

Austin started the year in early April with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in Arizona, which he feels got the team off to a good start.

“Running with the Outlaws right away got us our confidence and set the bar with how competitive we needed to be throughout the year,” he said.

Aside from the two championships, Austin says his memorable run at the Silver Shootout at Badlands Motor Speedway was one of the top highlights of the year.

“We started 15th and were running in the top five with two laps to go when the yellow came out. We fell back to sixth after the restart, but to get the hard charger against that kind of competition was great for our team.”

Throughout the year, Austin was almost a shoo-in for a top five in NOSA competition at River Cities. The Grand Forks driver rattled off 19 consecutive top five finishes in a streak that started on May 26th and lasted until a drive shaft broke while running second on August 25th.

“I’ve got to give all the credit to the crew,” Austin said. “From giving me nights in the shop, to not missing any races. Having everybody there and communicating made the driving part pretty easy with a good car, good setup, and good crew.”

The entire APR crew 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
Invision Ag
Auggie’s Flying Service
AJ’s Sandblasting & Painting
Solem Farms
Vollrath Farms
Hillesland Farms
Grand Forks Abstract & Title (GFabstract.com)
Adams Marketing Promotions
1st Realty
Ostrich Racing Engines
EMi – Eagle Motorsports, Schnee, Henchcraft, Stallard