Bobby Pierce Wins Second Gopher 50 at Deer Creek

Bobby Pierce competing at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, MN (Photo: Tyler Rinken)

SPRING VALLEY, Minn. — On Saturday night, the World of Outlaws late models remained at Deer Creek Speedway for the 75-lap, $50,000-to-win 45th annual Gopher 50.

Ryan Gustin and Brandon Sheppard, who were the other two Gopher 50 race winners, led the 24-car field to the green flag to kick off the major event. Sheppard shot out to an early lead coming out of Turn 2 with Gustin right behind him. Alongside, Gustin was Bobby Pierce who sought for a win at Deer Creek.

Pierce and Gustin battled it out throughout the corner, but Gustin managed to stay ahead of Pierce and put some space between the two of them. Content to run in third, Pierce dealt with Shannon Babb for the podium finish spot.

That fight did not last too long as Pierce got ahead of Babb to remain in third, advancing far enough ahead to pursue Gustin for second.

And go after him he did, claiming the runner-up position from Gustin coming out of Turn 2 on Lap 3.

On Lap 26, Gustin lost third to Babb and was feeling the pressure from Nick Hoffman in fifth. Hoffman, never one to back down from a challenge, sprung right into action and got on the bottom of Gustin to try and find that perfect slidejob opportunity.

Hoffman found it alright, and took over fourth from the “Reaper” coming out of Turn 2. But Hoffman’s fourth-place was short-lived because Gustin got him back in the next set of turns to keep the coveted position.

Then, on Lap 31, Tyler Stevens had a puff of smoke come from his car on the back stretch.. He ran for a little while longer, but stopped on the front straight. This caused Chad Simpson to go in between Sheppard and Pierce and almost cause an accident. Luckily, no-one was hurt and no accidents happened, but it was a close call.

The World of Outlaws late models coming onto Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, MN (Photo: Emily Schwanke | World Racing Group)

Six laps later, Pierce had caught up to Sheppard after the restart and was gunning hard for the lead. Pierce went down low heading into Turn 3 and slid up in front of Sheppard to claim the top spot, but Sheppard crossed back over in front of him, reclaiming the lead. Right at this time though, Lance Hofer took his car into the pits, drawing a caution.

Lap 58 saw Pierce and Sheppard go at it once again for the lead. Coming into Turn 3, Pierce went low while Sheppard went high.

It appeared that Sheppard went too high and hopped the cushion, which would have handed the lead to Pierce, but he did not go that high afterall and was able to race side-by-side with the “Smooth Operator” down the front stretch. At the line, it was still Sheppard in first.

Nine laps later, Tyler Erb, who had made his way up from tenth, and was now in the fifth position, was going head-to-head with Hoffman for fourth. Just as the battle between the two of them was heating up, Cody Overton flipped over in Turns 3 and 4 due to hopping the cushion, drawing the red light. Overton was okay.

Pierce was able to keep the lead for nine more laps to earn himself the $50,000 payday, and his second Gopher 50 win. Sheppard, Gustin, Erb and Hoffman rounded out the top five.

“It turned out awesome,” said Pierce about the race. “That was a fun racetrack to drive and it got super technical up on the top. It took lap traffic, but we got ‘er done. Car was awesome tonight and what a week we’ve had; this is incredible.”