CONCORD, N.C. — After a 14-win season, culminating to his first World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series championship, Bobby Pierce will defend that title in 2024.
The Oakwood, Ill., driver returns to the Series hoping to become the fourth driver to win consecutive championships, joining Billy Moyer (1988-89), Josh Richards (2009-10) and Brandon Sheppard (2019-21).
It’s another chance at history Pierce said he embraces.
“Whenever you do something, you want to do it again,” Pierce said. “I don’t think anyone is doubting the season we had. I just think it’d be cool to do it again and be like there; we did it two times in a row. We know every season is a new season, and this one might not be as good as the last one. We just have to go into it knowing that and take things race by race and see what happens.
“Last year, I would’ve been happy to be in the top five in points. So, we’ll start off with goals like that. And toward the end, everything starts to get more intense.”
Pierce’s run toward a 2024 championship will have a different path than in 2023, with 16 new venues on the schedule.
It’s a challenge Pierce said he’s ready for, hoping he can hit the ground running.
“I know there’s a lot of new race tracks on the schedule this year,” Pierce said. “A lot that I’m looking forward to. And a lot that comes with a challenge. We’re looking forward to the challenge. It’s going to be a great year. Hopefully, we can get off to a better start this year at Volusia.”
Pierce’s two worst finishes (25th and 17th) of the season came at Volusia Speedway Park during Sunshine Nationals – where the Series will again kick off the new season, Jan. 17-20.
Despite knowing he can reel off double-digit victories, Pierce said he knows the balance he needs to win another title.
“It’s all about getting finishes and being consistent at the same time,” Pierce said. “But when you have that chance to win, you want to win because who doesn’t want to win? You have to find that good balance.
“It always depends on the moment. If you have to push the limits too hard, like the Prairie Dirt Classic, for example. A lot of people don’t know I had a broken shock, and it was hanging. I know it happened before I got passed. But that’s the example. I know if I kept pushing it hard, something else might’ve broken.”