Christopher Bell wins Mud Summer Classic at Eldora

The Mud Summer Classic, NASCAR’s only national series dirt track race, produced another memorable event with Christopher Bell emerging victorious after a hard-fought battle with Bobby Pierce on Wednesday night at Eldora Speedway. Bell picked up his first series win, and he did at a track that carries plenty of weight for him as someone who has spent his career on dirt.

“If you had told me my first win at Eldora was going to come in a NASCAR truck, I would have told you you’re insane”, Bell said.

Qualifying races begin at 6 p.m. are are televised live on Fox Sports 2, with the actual race switching to Fox Sports 1.

MB Motorsports’ Bobby Pierce, a dirt veteran like Bell, scored the Pole earlier in the day and led much of the race until a Lap 42 restart when Bell jumped ahead. Bell led 18 laps in the opening segment. “It’s awesome what NASCAR has done, getting to be able to come here to Eldora”. Bell slid in front of Pierce two laps after the restart and held the point until the end of segment two for the second competition caution of the night. Pierce escaped them and set his sights on Bell.

According to the latest oddsmakers, Austin Dillon and Brad Keselowski are co-favorites to win today, as each has 15/4 odds while Ty Dillon and Tyler Reddick both have 13/2 odds.

Usually behind the wheel of a sprint auto, Bell held off Pierce – a late model champion – in a classic duel that rivals that of Richard Petty versus David Pearson and Dale Earnhardt versus Darrell Waltrip in it’s epic manner.

Pierce finished second and Tyler Reddick third. Inaugural Eldora victor Austin Dillon was sixth followed by Nemechek, Cameron Hayley, Matt Crafton and Ty Dillon. Pierce 4 times for 39 laps; A. Dillon(i) 2 times for 8 laps; J.

Reddick is second in the point standings and he has two wins on the year. Hemric # – 347; T. Peters – 343; S. Gallagher # – 335; B.