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

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

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