Larson recovers for Truck Series victory at Eldora

Kyle Larson won Wednesday night's Aspen Dental Dirt Derby at Eldora Speedway. Brian Lawdermilk

ROSSBURG, OH – Kyle Larson earned his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win since 2013 during Eldora Speedway's fourth annual Aspen Dental Eldora Dirty Derby on Wednesday night. Larson led for 48 of the 150 laps run.

Larson rebounded after trouble hit on Lap 52 when his No. 24 suffered a blown tire after a brush with the wall. NASCAR then held the No. 24 GMS Racing Chevrolet for a lap for intentionally causing a caution. Thanks to a string of strong restarts, the wheelman was able to quickly get inside the top five to contend for the win. 

“Love to be out here on dirt," Larson said. "It was fun, the track was in great shape and I’m so happy to finally be able to get this win here in this race. It’s such a blast.”

Defending race winner Christopher Bell finished the night in the runner-up spot in his No. 4  Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota, unable to catch Larson in the final laps.

The No. 98 ThorSport Racing Toyota of Rico Abreu rounded out the top three with the No. 11 Red Horse Racing Toyota of Jake Griffin and the No. 29 Brad Keselowski Racing Ford of Tyler Reddick right behind him in fourth and fifth, respectively. 

“We had a good truck, just tight,” Abreu said. “I had a lot of fun.”

Bobby Pierce had a rough night at Eldora Speedway
on Wednesday night. Brian Lawdermilk

Bobby Pierce was one of the night's favorites after starting the event from the pole position and leading for nine laps. Misfortune hit the 19-year-old driver on Lap 126 when his No. 63 MB Motorsports Chevrolet went down a right rear tire to bring out the 10th and final caution. Pierce finished 25th and 24 laps down.

“Hate that we got knocked out of this race,” said Pierce, who led 102 laps. “We had a good truck but once I lost fourth gear it was just a handful and finally we lost a tire and out night was over. But still had such a great time and thankful to have a chance to be here.”

Cole Custer, Cameron Hayley, Daniel Hemric, Austin Wayne Self and Matt Crafton rounded out the Top-10.

Pierce, Reddick, Ken Schrader, JR Heffner and Ben Rhodes won preliminary qualifying races while Cody Coughlin and Abreu made their way into the feature by finishing first and second in the last chance race.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points leader William Byron finished the event 14th.

The field heads to Pocono Raceway next week for the Pocono Mountains 150 (July 30, 1 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).