2023 Castrol FloRacing Night in America at Spoon River Speedway

Castrol FloRacing Night In America Spoon River Win Goes To Dennis Erb Jr.

Castrol FloRacing Night In America Spoon River Win Goes To Dennis Erb Jr.

Dennis Erb Jr. came out on top of a battle with Bobby Pierce to win Wednesday's Castrol FloRacing Night in America feature at Spoon River Speedway.

May 11, 2023 by Brandon Paul
Castrol FloRacing Night In America Spoon River Win Goes To Dennis Erb Jr.

As race-long leader Bobby Pierce searched for the fastest way around Spoon River Speedway in the closing laps of Wednesday’s Illinois Speedweek opener, Dennis Erb Jr. didn’t have to think twice.

The quarter-mile oval that kicked off the four-race miniseries played right into Pierce’s high-flying ways for much of the 50-lap feature, but in the end, it was Erb’s steadiness around the bottom from the seventh-starting spot that led to the big check. Leveraging patience around the very bottom of the Banner, Ill., bullring, Erb upended the pole-starting Pierce in the final stages of the Castrol FloRacing Night in America main event for a thrilling $23,023 victory.

While Pierce led 44 of the first 45 laps, it was Erb Jr. that led the final five laps to reap his first career national touring victory at Spoon River. It’s Erb’s third career Spoon River victory, adding to triumphs with the Northern Allstars Late Model Series on Aug. 12, 2005 and DIRTcar Summer Nationals on June 23, 2016.

Watch Replay

Castrol FloRacing Night In America At Spoon River Speedway Highlights

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VIDEO: Watch highlights from Thursday's 50-lap Castrol FloRacing Night in America feature at Spoon River.

Winning Quote From Dennis Erb Jr. 

“I knew (Pierce) was going to go back up there. I was watching him, and he really couldn’t hook the bottom like I could. That was my shot there. Once I got out in front, I thought I could hold him off, use enough of the racetrack and momentum to keep things going.”

Castrol FloRacing Night In America At Spoon River Speedway Results

Position

No.

Driver

1

28

Dennis Erb Jr. 

2

32

Bobby Pierce

3

49

Jonathan Davenport

4

3S

Brian Shirley

5

96V

Tanner English

6

1

Hudson O’Neal

7

19R

Ryan Gustin

8

B5

Brandon Sheppard

9

11

Gordy Gundaker

10

12

Ashton Winger

11

5

Tim McCreadie

12

157

Mike Marlar

13

18J

Chase Junghans

14

7

Ross Robinson

15

10

Garrett Smith

16

99M

Devin Moran

17

33

Mike Harrison

18

7T

Drake Troutman

19

1T

Tyler Erb

20

15

Kolby Vandenbergh

21

18B

Shannon Babb

22

58

Garrett Alberson

Castrol FloRacing Night In America Standings After Spoon River Speedway

Mike Marlar, who held a 12-point advantage in the standings entering Wednesday night, leaves Spoon River Speedway with the same advantage despite a 12th-place finish. However, the driver who he now leads in the point standings has changed. With his runner-up finish, Bobby Pierce now sits second in the standings. Jonathan Davenport sits 18 points back in third following a third-place finish on Wednesday. Ricky Thornton, Jr., who entered the race second in the standings, drops all the way down to ninth in the standings after failing to qualify for the feature. 

Updated Point Standings

Last Race: April 19  - Castrol FloRacing Night in America at Brownstown Speedway

Up Next: May 11 - Castrol FloRacing Night in America at Lincoln Speedway

Castrol FloRacing Night In America Schedule

Date

Track

Purse

May 11

Lincoln Speedway (IL)

$23,023 to win

May 16

Marshalltown Speedway (IA)

$23,023 to win

May 17

Davenport Speedway (IA)

$23,023 to win

May 31

Florence Speedway (KY)

$23,023 to win

September 12

Fairbury Speedway (IL)

$23,023 to win

September 27

Tyler County Speedway (WV)

$23,023 to win

October 10

411 Motor Speedway (TN)

$23,023 to win

October 12

Tri-County Racetrack (NC)

$23,023 to win

November 10

Senoia Raceway (GA)

$20,000 to win

November 11

Senoia Raceway (GA)

$54,054 to win