2/6/2023
Earl Pearson Jr. competes in Winternationals at East Bay
Earl Pearson Jr. and the Papich Racing traveled to East Bay Raceway Park (Gibsonton, Fla) for the final stretch of 2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Speedweeks.
For the opening night of the Wieland Winternationals, Pearson timed in sixth-quickest in his qualifying group before grabbing the final transfer spot in his heat race. Rolling off from the 18th-position in the $5,000-to-win feature, Earl completed all 30 laps and finished 20th.
For the second $5,000-to-win event of the week, EPJ recorded the ninth-fastest qualifying lap in his group before once again making the main event with the final transfer spot in his heat race. With another 18th-place starting position, Pearson was an early retiree on lap 13 in the 30-lap feature.
On Wednesday, EPJ grabbed the final transfer spot in his heat race which positioned him to start the 40-lap feature from the seventh-row. With $7,000 on the line, Earl ran as high as eighth before settling for a 10th-place finish.
With the field cresting over 60 Late Models on Thursday, an 11th-place qualifying effort landed EPJ a fourth-place starting position in his heat where he would gain two spots to finish runner-up. With another $7,000 check up for grabs, Earl ran inside the Top-10 before fading late in the race to wind up 17th.
For Friday's $12,000-to-win program, EPJ qualified inside the Top-10 in seventh and picked up the final A-Main transfer spot in his heat. Starting the 50-lap feature from the 13th position, Pearson Jr. picked off one competitor and finished 12th.
An unfavorable forecast for Saturday’s Wieland Winternationals event washed out the LOLMDS speedweek finale.
Full results from the weekend are available at www.LucasDirt.com
Article Credit: Heath Lawson Photo
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