ROSSBURG, Ohio — In a season with 28 victories, a solid World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series points lead and an amazing stretch of 12 victories in 15 starts since Aug. 1, 26-year-old Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., realizes he's on the precipice of his best-ever season.

After dominating Thursday's second 25-lap semifeature on the opening weekend of the 53rd annual World 100 at Eldora Speedway, he theorized that "if we can get the World 100 this weekend, I wouldn't need to race the rest of the year. I'd be satisfied with that right there."

Don't bet on it.

While adding another globe trophy to the one he captured in 2016 would put a special stamp on his 2023 season, a driver as hot as Pierce isn't about to let up on the competition that he's been throttling most of the season but particularly the last six weeks.

He showed it again Thursday at Eldora's historic half-mile oval, overtaking friendly home-state rival Brandon Sheppard on the sixth lap and cruising the rest of the way for a $12,000 payday.

"I've got a really good race car," Pierce said in victory lane. "I know (the track surface) gonna slick off a lot on the 100-lapper, so we'll to find the adjustment to get a little better there. But all in all great night."

Pierce blazed under the checkered flag 3.198 seconds ahead of New Berlin, Ill.'s Sheppard, who started outside the front row and led the first five circuits while making a guest appearance in Kevin Rumley's developmental Longhorn Chassis.

Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who swapped the second spot with Pierce early, ended up third while 14th-starting Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., a five-time World 100 winner who grabbed last year's trophy, was fourth ahead of Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C.

Pierce's performance didn't leave much drama as he lapped all but nine competitors and steered his Longhorn Chassis just about wherever he wanted.

"Somehow we just keep knocking them off," Pierce said. "But I think we're just very motivated. We work really hard, a lot of long hours in the shop. I'm glad to see it finally paying off. You know, we've always worked hard and everything, and sometimes when you're doing as good as we are, you want to work even harder."

Sheppard credited Eldora's crew for a "phenomenal" racing surface, but he knew Pierce had a better lock on it than anyone else.

"We were really good right there, we just, you know the 32's on kill right now for sure, his stuff's been really good all year long," said Sheppard, who next season will pilot the Longhorn house car. "I don't think I could steer in quite as good up against that cushion, so (we'll) work on that a little bit and maybe we can get one spot better tomorrow. I don't know, like I said, we've had a lot of speed early in the night, so that's a big positive to get yourself in position to start up front."

The third-finishing McCreadie said his finish was a good way to start the weekend.

"We showed a little speed all night long and that's cool," he said. "We'll go up top (with) PaylorMotorsports and put our heads together try to get better."

The 25-lapper was slowed by a single caution on the second lap when Jordan Koehler spun in turn one and the night's final checkered flag fell at 11:08 p.m.

Semifeature lineup

(25 laps)

Row 1: David McCoy, Brandon Sheppard
Row 2: Tim McCreadie, Michael Brown
Row 3: Chris Madden, Bobby Pierce
Row 4: Brandon Overton, Jason Feger
Row 5: Trent Ivey, Spencer Hughes
Row 6: Shane Clanton, Cody Overton
Row 7: Mason Zeigler, Jonathan Davenport
Row 8: Jordan Koehler, Josh Rice
Row 9: Carson Ferguson, Kenny Collins
Row 10: Tyler Erb, Dennis Erb Jr.
Row 11: Kyle Strickler, Garrett Smith
Row 12: Cory Hedgecock, Joseph Joiner

Consolation race results

(10 laps; top two transfer)

First consolation: Kyle Strickler, Cory Hedgecock, Nick Hoffman, Tristan Chamberlain, Tim Lance, Rod Conley, Kody Evans, Dustin Nobbe, Jeep Van Wormer, Josh Dietz, Chase Osterhoff, Terry Rushloew, David Ellis. Scratched: Terry Wolfenbarger, Dona Marcoullier, Gilbert Hess.

Second consolation: Garrett Smith, Joseph Joiner, Donald McIntosh, Tanner English, Kye Blight, Matt Cosner, Austin Neely, Kent Robinson, Kirk Phillips, Curtis Roberts, Brenden Smith, Travis Stemler, Mike Bargo, Rob Anderzack, Luke Anstett.

Consolation race lineups

(10 laps; top two transfer)

First consolation
Row 1: Tristan Chamberlain, Kyle Strickler
Row 2: Cory Hedgecock, Tim Lance
Row 3: Nick Hoffman, Kody Evans
Row 4: Rod Conley, Dustin Nobbe
Row 5: Josh Dietz, Chase Osterhoff
Row 6: Jeep Van Wormer, Terry Rushlow
Row 7: David Ellis, Terry Wolfenbarger
Row 8: Dona Marcoullier, Gilbert Hess
Second consolation
Row 1: Kye Blight, Tanner English
Row 2: Matt Cosner, Garrett Smith
Row 3: Austin Neely, Joseph Joiner
Row 4: Rob Anderzack, Travis Stemler
Row 5: Kirk Phillips, Kent Robinson
Row 6: Mike Bargo, Brenden Smith
Row 7: Luke Anstett, Curtis Roberts
Row 8: Donald McIntosh

Heat race notes

The first heat saw the five transfer spots swept by Southeasterners: Trent Ivey held off a late challenge from Chris Madden for the win with Brandon Overton, Jonathan Davenport and Carson Ferguson following. … Bobby Pierce became the first driver win a heat from the fourth starting spot, capturing the second prelim after sliding past David McCoy for the lead on lap six. … Second-running Dustin Nobbe spun in turn four to bring out the caution flag on lap four; several onrushing cars barely avoided hitting the Indiana driver’s machine. … Shane Clanton said he “has to get rid of a little push out of turn four,” but he was otherwise pleased with his car’s performance in his flag-to-flag Heat 3 triumph. … MARS Championship Series points leader Jason Feger led flag-to-flag to top the fourth heat by 1.665 seconds over Tim McCreadie.

Heat race results

(Eight laps; top five transfer)

First heat: Trent Ivey, Chris Madden, Brandon Overton, Jonathan Davenport, Carson Ferguson, Tristan Chamberlain, Cory Hedgecock, Nick Hoffman, Rod Conley, Josh Dietz, Jeep Van Wormer, David Ellis.

Second heat: Bobby Pierce, David McCoy, Mason Zeigler, Brandon Sheppard, Kenny Collins, Kyle Strickler, Tim Lance, Kody Evans, Dustin Nobbe, Chase Osterhoff, Terry Rushlow, Terry Wolfenbarger, Gilbert Hess.

Third heat: Shane Clanton, Michael Brown, Spencer Hughes, Jordan Koehler, Tyler Erb, Kye Blight, Matt Cosner, Austin Neely, Rob Anderzack, Kirk Phillips, Mike Bargo, Luke Anstett, Donald McIntosh.

Fourth heat: Jason Feger, Tim McCreadie, Cody Overton, Josh Rice, Dennis Erb Jr., Tanner English, Garrett Smith, Joseph Joiner, Travis Stemler, Kent Robinson, Brenden Smith, Curtis Roberts.

Heat race lineups

(Eight laps top five transfer)

First heat
Row 1: Trent Ivey, Brandon Overton
Row 2: Tristan Chamberlain, Chris Madden
Row 3: Jonathan Davenport, Chris Ferguson
Row 4: Josh Dietz, Nick Hoffman
Row 5: Cory Hedgecock, Jeep Van Wormer
Row 6: Dona Marcoullier, Rod Conley
Row 7: David Ellis
Second heat
Row 1: Dustin Nobbe, David McCoy
Row 2: Brandon Sheppard, Bobby Pierce
Row 3: Mason Zeigler, Kenny Collins
Row 4: Tim Lance, Kyle Strickler
Row 5: Chase Osterhoff, Kody Evans
Row 6: Terry Rushlow, Terry Wolfenbarger
Row 7: Gilbert Hess
Third heat
Row 1: Shane Clanton, Spencer Hughes
Row 2: Michael Brown, Donald McIntosh
Row 3: Jordan Koehler, Tyler Erb
Row 4: Austin Neely, Matt Cosner
Row 5: Rob Anderzack, Kye Blight
Row 6: Mike Bargo, Kirk Phillips
Row 7: Luke Anstett
Fourth heat
Row 1: Cody Overton, Jason Feger
Row 2: Tim McCreadie, Joseph Joiner
Row 3: Josh Rice, Dennis Erb Jr.
Row 4: Travis Stemler, Tanner English
Row 5: Garrett Smith, Curtis Roberts
Row 6: Brenden Smith, Kent Robinson

Pre-race notes

The 53rd World 100 weekend opens Thursday under mostly cloudy skies with comfortable temperatures that topped out in the low 70s during the afternoon. Some drizzle did fall a few times during the day but never hard enough to threaten the 6:30 p.m. start time for heats — though the track surface does have plenty of moisture in it. … The car count of 102 cars is down a minimal five entries from 2022. … Numerous teams were told to snip some sheetmetal after going through tech inspection for the first time on Wednesday and early Thursday, but DIRTcar officials reported no major issues. … Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., will bid for his record-tying sixth World 100 with his Double L Motorsports No. 49 sporting a new green-dominated look. While many superstitious racers avoid the color green, Davenport said he doesn’t adhere to that mindset. … Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., is driving the Kevin Rumley-owned Longhorn Chassis development car with a his familiar No. B5 on the doors and an bright orange color scheme. … Other Group B drivers boasting special wraps: Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C. (running a white No. 87 machine in honor of his late grandfather); Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga. (changed his Wells Motorsports No. 76 to a white-and-blue No. 4 in honor of Southeast racer Ed Basey); and Carson Ferguson of Lincolnton, N.C., whose brand-new Longhorn by Wesley Page mount is a throwback to 1994 Dream winner Freddy Smith’s Bazooka No. 00 (Ferguson races out of Smith’s son Jeff’s shop). … Another tribute car is being fielded by Gilbert Hess, a 53-year-old from Inwood, W.Va., who has his 1-race-old Rocket Chassis outfitted to mirror the famed Speedy Hays No. 44 that was piloted in the ‘80s and ‘90s by, among others, Hall of Famer Gary Stuhler. Hess is making his first competitive start in 20 years to raise awareness for childhood cancer — the disease that took his daughter’s life two decades ago at the age of 8 — and his honor his wife, who died from complications of Covid-19 two years ago. … With his three-month suspension for World of Outlaws- and DIRTcar-sanctioned events for his father’s actions at a Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series event now expired, 19-year-old Garrett Smith of Eatonton, Ga., is in the field for the DIRTcar-sanctioned World 100. … After making his Eldora debut on Sunday, 16-year-old Tristan Chamberlain of Richmond, Ind., is set to attempt his first World 100. The teenager has plenty of experience on his side with his father, veteran racer Duane Chamberlain, and longtime mechanic Mark Saul. … Duane Chamberlain is in the pit area wearing a patch over his right eye after he had to visit a doctor because an apparent fiberglass shaving scratched his cornea. … Dustin Nobbe of Batesville, Ind., is ready for action after his trailer was hit by a drunk driver just south of Eldora Speedway following Sunday’s Baltes Classic. The impact flipped over Nobbe’s trailer and threw around his race car; fellow racer Josh Rice of Verona, Ky., and his team stopped at the scene of the accident and took Nobbe’s car away in their trailer. After securing a borrowed trailer from Indiana Crate driver Steve Peeden, Nobbe picked up his car at Rice’s shop and prepped it for this weekend’s action.

Time trials

Driver (car no.), hometown, time (unofficial)

1. Chris Madden (87), Gray Court, S.C., 15.081
2. Bobby Pierce (32), Oakwood, Ill., 15.209
3. Donald McIntosh (79), Dawsonville, Ga., 15.353
4. Joseph Joiner (10), Milton, Fla., 15.444
5. Tristin Chamberlain (20tc), Richmond, Ind., 15.453
6. Brandon Sheppard (B5), New Berlin, Ill., 15.459
7. Michael Brown (24-D), Pageland, S.C., 15.505
8. Tim McCreadie (39), Watertown, N.Y., 15.513
9. Brandon Overton (4), Evans, Ga., 15.530
10. David McCoy (187), Franklin, N.C., 15.542
11. Spencer Hughes (11), Meridian, Miss., 15.548
12. Jason Feger (25), Bloomington, Ill., 15.553
13. Trent Ivey (88), Union, S.C., 15.559
14. Dustin Nobbe (5N), Batesville, Ind., 15.560
15. Shane Clanton (25), Zebulon, Ga., 15.563
16. Cody Overton (15k), Evans, Ga., 15.568
17. Jonathan Davenport (49), Blairsville, Ga., 15.575
18. Mason Zeigler (25z), Chalk Hill, Pa., 15.575
19. Jordan Koehler (114), Mount Airy, N.C., 15.650
20. Josh Rice (11), Verona, Ky., 15.659
21. Carson Ferguson (00), Lincolnton, N.C., 15.667
22. Kenny Collins (1c), Colbert, Ga., 15.685
23. Tyler Erb (1), New Waverly, Texas, 15.698
24. Dennis Erb Jr. (28), Carpentersville, Ill., 15.710
25. Josh Dietz (9D), Hebron, Ky., 15.802
26. Tim Lance (48), Brimfield, Ill., 15.834
27. Austin Neely (3), New Tazewell, Tenn., 15.841
28. Travis Stemler (4s), Ionia, Mich., 15.846
29. Nick Hoffman (9), Mooresville, N.C., 15.864
30. Kyle Strickler (8), Mooresville, N.C., 15.889
31. Matt Cosner (66), Ridgeley, W.Va., 15.900
32. Tanner English (96v), Benton, Ky., 15.929
33. Cory Hedgecock (23), Loudon, Tenn., 15.943
34. Chase Osterhoff (130), Kankakee, Ill., 15.972
35. Rob Anderzack (8), Swanton, Ohio, 15.975
36. Garrett Smith (10), Eatonton, Ga., 15.985
37. Jeep Van Wormer (55), Pinconning, Mich., 15.986
38. Kody Evans (4G), Camden, Ohio, 15.993
39. Kye Blight (31aus), Bunbury, W. Australia, 16.022
40. Curtis Roberts (9r), Coleman, Mich., 16.044
41. Dona Marcoullier (6m), Houghton Lake, Mich., 16.057
42. Terry Rushlow (63), Holland, Ohio, 16.080
43. Mike Bargo (316), Corbin, Ky., 16.095
44. Brenden Smith (17ss), Dade City, Fla., 16.109
45. Rod Conley (71R), Wheelersburg, Ohio, 16.160
46. Terry Wolfenbarger (14), Powell, Tenn., 16.183
47. Kirk Phillips (21k), Ashland, Ky., 16.302
48. Kent Robinson (7R), Bloomington, Ind., 16.765
49. David Ellis (17), Defiance, Ohio, 17.826
50. Gilbert Hess (44), Inwood, W.Va., 17.891
51. Luke Anstett (64), Greenville, Mich., no time

Thursday's schedule

7 a.m.-11 a.m. - Breakfast served (turn four concession building)
9 a.m. - Gates open
10 a.m. - Ticket office opens (ticket and pit pass sales)
11 a.m. - Grounds cleared and secured
Noon - All gates, suites and concessions open
Noon-4:30 p.m. - Technical inspection
3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. - Billy Chez Cheese concert (fan zone)
5 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting
6:30 p.m. - Hot laps
8 p.m. - Opening ceremonies
Competition
- Late Model time trials
- Late Model heats (8 laps)
- Late Model consolations (10 laps)
- Late Model first feature (25 laps)
- Late Model second feature (25 laps)