SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Bobby Pierce, a 16-year-old high school student who also is one of the nation’s top Dirt Late Model drivers, is the $50,000 grand prize winner in the “Search for a Champion” racing sponsorship contest from Federal-Mogul’s Champion Spark Plug brand. A sophomore at Oakwood (Ill.) High School, Pierce was one of 15 finalists selected from hundreds of entries in the popular contest, which requires participants to submit a two-minute video describing how a Champion sponsorship will help them dominate the competition. 
Finalists and the grand prize winner were selected on the basis of votes received at the www.AlwaysaChampion.com website as well as through input from NASCAR Sprint Cup driver and Champion spokesperson Kevin Harvick. Pierce, currently ranked fourth in points in the Lucas Oil Dirt Series, garnered more than 13,000 of the total 114,000 votes cast in the contest. Finalists represented virtually every form of engine-driven racing, including circle track, drag, motocross, boat and snocross competition.
“Bobby looks, acts and drives like a champion, and his video projected the passion that’s required to build and maintain a successful racing career,” Harvick said.
Pierce’s passion for racing comes naturally: His father is National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame driver and professional car builder Bob Pierce, who was among the most successful Super Dirt drivers of the 1980s and ’90s. His mother, Angie, and sister, Ciara, are members of his crew.
“When I entered this contest, I knew it was going to be tough, but I was amazed at how many people at all of the tracks were following the voting,” Bobby said. “It’s fantastic to be singled out by one of the biggest and most successful brands in racing and to be part of a contest that attracts so much attention across North America.”
In addition to the $50,000 grand prize sponsorship, Bobby also receives $5,000 for being one of the 15 finalists in the Champion contest. In total, Federal-Mogul awarded $125,000 to grassroots drivers who entered the 2013 “Search.”
“Search for a Champion has become the top sponsorship program of its kind for the grassroots racing community,” said Michael Proud, director of marketing, North America, Federal-Mogul. “Champion Spark Plugs are part of the fabric of amateur and professional racing in North America, from kart racing and local dirt tracks to the leading Sprint Cup programs. This contest is an example of the many ways Federal-Mogul and the Champion brand continue to invest in this important legacy.”
To learn more about Bobby and to follow the success of his Champion-powered No. 32 Dirt Late Model car, visit www.bobbypierceracing.com, connect with him on Facebook and Twitter (@BobbyPierce32), and follow his racing blog, www.smoothoperator32.blogspot.com.
For more information regarding “Performance Driven” Champion spark plugs, wipers and chemical additives, as well as the Search for a Champion contest, please visit www.AlwaysaChampion.com.
