By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWhile Bobby Pierce’s NASCAR career might have been launched, it was a career night for the person sitting atop the pit box.A second-place finish never felt so good for team owner and crew chief Mike Mittler.In his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut, Pierce gave Mittler his first pole and followed that up with a stellar performance at Eldora Speedway last Wednesday.It was the best run for Foristell-based MB Motorsports, which has been a regular in the Truck Series since its inception in 1995. Mittler is the only team owner to have fielded an entry in every year.“That’s why you’re in this sport, to be in contention to win,” Mittler told NASCAR.com. “It wasn’t a fluke. We were there all day. It was no fluke at all. The kid’s the real deal. He said this is a dream come true for him, and it is for me, too.”Over the years, Mittler has been responsible for helping jumpstart the NASCAR careers for several well-known drivers, including Sprint Cup regulars Carl Edwards, Jamie McMurray, Regan Smith, Justin Allgaier and Brad Keselowski.Last Wednesday, it was Pierce’s turn to display his talent.“It was a lot of fun,” said the 18-year-old dirt track standout at the post-race press conference. “Couldn’t have asked for a better finish and a better day.”Pierce knew he had a truck that was capable of racing upfront. He was one of the fastest trucks during the two practice sessions and kept the momentum going by capturing the pole.Pierce stayed in the top five throughout the race and led four times for 39 laps in the 154-lap event.Pierce nearly chased down eventual winner Christopher Bell in the race’s closing laps. Bell, who led the final 49 laps and 106 overall in the No. 54 truck owned by Kyle Busch, fended off Pierce in a series of late restarts on the half-mile clay oval. Bell beat Pierce to the finish line by 0.761 seconds. It was his first victory in three career starts.Rounding out the top five were Tyler Reddick, Erik Jones and Daniel Hemric.“I think a lot of guys where nervous about the 63 truck, so that made me feel good,” Pierce said.The only other time MB Motorsports has finished in the top 10 was when Edwards, unknown at the time, wheeled the No. 63 truck to an eighth-place showing at Kansas Speedway in 2002.“I thought if it stayed green, we’d have every opportunity to work (Bell) and get by him, but it just didn’t go that way,” Mittler said. “I just thought, ‘Wow, what a phenomenal opportunity after 20 years, to be in position to finally have an opportunity to win a race.’ ”MB Motorsports will return to action Aug. 1.

Bobby Pierce gave the Foristell-based racing company its best finish ever since they joined the NASCAR truck series in 1995.

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