Incredible Photo Finish | 2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Gopher 50 at Deer Creek Speedway

Highlights from a spectacular $50,000-to-win 'Gopher 50' for the Lucas Oil Late Models at Deer Creek Speedway on July 8, 2023.
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[@StickA-yd4fp]

Love him or hate him Pierce puts on a hell of a show.

[@Troy4622]

I swear the 32 could start dead last and somehow he's battling for the win.

[@netflixnchil421]

Thats how ya bring fans to a race track! Great race. Just depends the location of the transponder line. My local track is roughly 20 feet before the flag stand. So its probably the right call! Good racing fellas

[@user-vp8pn6zm5r]

NASCAR is only praying they could have races like this !

[@stuartwall8212]

I would pay to see a 50 lap dirt race way before I would sit through any Nascar event. Them flashy red lights on the backs of cars make it look like a carnival ride.

[@BradenLewis-bm2ur]

Dirt is way better agree

[@Tipzyyy]

nascar has become a complete shell of itself. however, dirt track using is growing immensely

[@jomnres2]

I don’t care what anyone says, last night at Atlanta was awesome to watch. So was this. Two different things and they can both be awesome.

[@steveashworth6707]

It sure looked like O'Neal was a head by a couple of inches!, plain as day!.

[@netflixnchil421]

Most transponder lines are not directly below the flagger. They usually sit them back a hand full of feet. Least how my local track is. There should be a clear marking where the finish line is tho!!

[@jamieday6602]

The camera wasn't in the direct line to the flagman! Great race

[@CM-ve1bz]

I watched it on Flo and it took almost 15 minutes for them to decide who won. Whatever the instrument is that reads the transponders is seldom under the flag stand, it’s before or after. Apparently theirs was before.

[@cameronbarrett6942]

They tell you to put it on the right rear axle tube. A lot of times they put them on the right front framehorn. I'd say that's what happened

[@shawnmoore7841]

Depends where his transponder is located, and that screwed him IMO

[@mikesenkewicz1324]

What a Awesome Finish !!! Wow !!!

[@caseyhepler2806]

Whoever wrenches on those two cars is top notch

[@brianlehr78]

If you haven’t seen these guys live I highly recommend you do!! This is great coverage but still doesn’t do them justice!!

[@cumminsrealpower680]

What a great race to the transponder. Crazy its not racing to the finish line. I know its the series' silly rule but that rule has costed several teams the winner's part. All tracks should have a flagstand camera. IMO

[@thomasvaught262]

Are you new to dirt racing or just a casual? It's not a series rule... almost every dirt track for the past 25+ years has had an electronic scoring system solely for this reason. If it came down to an individual's judgment call, people would be going apeshit over this finish worse than they are right now. Transponders are the most accurate thing that has been implemented since the beginning of dirt racing. As for why they aren't placed on the nose of the car? I'm guessing that most people complaining haven't gone to a local track and seen a car finish a race without the nose and front bumper. Being on the right rear axle tube ensures everyone is fairly scored and the transponder doesn't get smashed or broken. So what if the start/finish line isn't where some people thought it was? They aren't gonna go around to every dirt track to dig up their scoring loop to place it exactly where a casual spectator thinks it should be. Late models aren't the only classes that race at these tracks, and some cars are a different length.

[@cumminsrealpower680]

@thomasvaught262 Uhh, no. I've been involved with dirt racing for 45 yrs. And I can assure you that back in older days, drivers raced to the "finish line." That's where the checkered flag flew. Thanks for your insight.

[@michaelarrington988]

​@cumminsrealpower680 technology has advanced a long way since the older days . I've ran the scoring system at many tracks I've seen the loop a few inches from the start finish line to 10 feet or more. They been running them for over 20 years

[@jeremybonesholder]

Congrats smooth operator. Sure looked like Hudson crossed the line inches ahead though.

[@CM-ve1bz]

O’Neal nosed him out at the flag stand but the transponder reader was placed before the stand

[@wrongwayfeldman3247]

The finish line is not always right at the flag stand. It depends on where they bury the loop for the transponders. For various reasons it often does not line up with the flag stand at dirt tracks. At Deer Creek, the name is painted along the front stretch and the transponder is between the two E's in Speedway. Which puts it about where the fence post just before the flag stand. Freeze the video at 5:51 and that's about where they finished.

[@zterminatorxx6525]

He did clear as day

[@alanm2842]

why not put the finish line over the loop. maybe a couple gallons of paint?

[@jeremybonesholder]

I agree the loop and finish line should b n the same spot

[@Zay16020]

What a finish

[@kylepeckham4133]

Damn thats a helluva finish!

[@shawnsd69]

O'Neal had that race 100% that came down to transponder location.

[@thomasvaught262]

O'Neal 100% had 2nd place. He crossed the finish line .002 of a second after Pierce. Electronic scoring isn't biased and doesn't show favoritism. Sorry about your feelings.

[@michaelarrington988]

​@@thomasvaught262you are correct that's why all tracks run transponders now to take out the human error

[@jeradlene1732]

Wow that was close good racing

[@halperkins1791]

Wow what a race

[@missourimike7260]

Already been said, I was gonna state the obvious that Hudson won but they must have went with the transponders. These guys are amazing

[@markbutler6539]

What a race 🏁

[@mattfetter4123]

Tried keeping my eyes open for this one. Damn ! Good finish. The drivers know where the transponder is located.

[@ralphwatten2426]

I think we could tie this one up in court for a few years. Whew what a finish. Hooda thunk a Rocket chassis would be this good at this point in the year? Bobby Pierce YEAH!

[@StickA-yd4fp]

Pretty sure Bobby is in a Longhorn. Or you talking about Hudson?

[@ralphwatten2426]

@@StickA-yd4fp Hud got the Rocket ride and everybody thought that Longhorn was going to run away with it. That's what I'm saying. Pierce ran a great race.

[@thomasvaught262]

😂😂 Rocket set the bar long before Longhorn was any anything but a steakhouse.

[@SatansExecutioner]

That 32 is the man let’s go!!!! There ain’t no noise in Illinois

[@larryknight8637]

Hell yeahhhh bobby way to go what a great race

[@jonzjamz2000]

this is probably the best race I've seen in sometime folks. for a payday it was clean. so many highlights I've seen lately have just been shit drivers running over people in the top 5 last 15 laps. man i wish i was there.

[@scottkernan9007]

I love close finish like that

[@Tipzyyy]

and when they actually race to the line instead of nascar where they put someone in the wall

[@johnhale9892]

That was close, Hudsons white bumper seemed to be a couple inches ahead of Bobby, but the scoring from the transponders dictates the winner. Congratulations, Bobby, on that .002 finish.

[@rickjones6798]

Congratulations Bobby that was one hell of a move on the last lap congratulations buddy that was awesome

[@itsskaii7315]

That 32 is on a MF Roll

[@StickA-yd4fp]

56 starts, 14 wins, 37 top 5"s, 45 top 10's. not a bad season at all.

[@overtimeracing4461]

Way to go pierce! From 10th

[@ds6329]

If you pause it at 5:51 both drivers are side by side. Look at the distance to the flag stand. We know there is a little bit of an angle from this camera to the flag stand. But is the camera's position where the transponder line is at? I wish we know where the transponder line starts on our side and ends on the infield. From this point on Hudson has it. I hate the term "photo finish" when they don't actually decide at the finish line. Crazy race and happy for Bobby!

[@tykit9230]

Way to go Smooth

[@drshoe8744]

Wow what a race! That really takes me back to the days of "Guardrail Grinding" at Susky (now Baps), but sadly they narrowed the straights and ruined the track.

[@butchcassidy3373]

When I raced we placed the transponders on the rear axle. Either move the finish line or move the transponders. Hard to know what to do as a driver when the finish line is so flexible.

[@thomasvaught262]

The finish line isn't flexible. It's buried under the track surface when the track installs it. The only thing that is flexible is where the transponder is located depending on the rules, but they are always checked by the tech officials before and after races.

[@stuartbuckley6113]

I seen it differently but I am not an official. Congratulations on the win. I like both drivers and teams so win, win for me either way.

[@thomasvaught262]

If you were an official, you'd understand why it doesn't matter what you think you saw. The race is scored electronically by a transponder on the right rear axle tube that sends a signal to the receiver that records the lap times for everyone. A driver can finish the race missing the entire front clip if it gets torn off during the race, but if it's missing any part of the rear end they're most likely getting a tow back to their hauler and the transponder location is the least of their worries.

[@khenry89]

Not hating at all u love both these guys and their wheeling abilities! Buuuuuut I'm pretty sure that was Hudsons win from what it looked like on the video but hey either way congrats to Bobby!

[@tripleeathletics]

What a race… From where the camera was set up, it almost appears Hud got it. They need to have a high speed camera mounted ON the flag stand. JMO

[@6ixdrippy641]

Huddy had him at the flag stand, but their scoring loop for the transponder may be set before or after the flag stand depending on what track you're at. Hell of a race regardless.

[@jamesriley9800]

The transponder line is 20 feet before the stand is what I heard

[@tripleeathletics]

@@6ixdrippy641 pretty sure it’s before the flag stand, otherwise Hud would’ve gotten that one. I think it should be determined by a high speed camera ON the stand, NOT by transponder! We’ve all seen how they can be mounted differently, some cars have longer bumpers Etc. But, If it were done by camera AT The Flag Stand, then there’s no questions, no doubts, it’s THE WINNER… Agreed, Great Race regardless!

[@drewski31683]

So basically there is no start/finish line…got it. Seems logical, you know, for racing. 😂

[@davids5006]

@@drewski31683exactly what I was thinking 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@robertraber4770]

The best race I’ve seen all year was s at Indiana , tri city, Indiana this Sunday. And you can see. All of the race every lap not the first one put all of them and if you didn’t like that race you must be dead.

[@aaronhendrickson450]

Camera angle wasnt the best since it wasnt directly in line with the flag stand but i believe bobby got it where the transponder line is. Another foot sooner and hudson wouldve had it

[@bluefj-wc3vz]

Wow

[@MrChristopherHaas]

Just noticed first auomobile company sponsor on a car. And its Toyota? On the winning car? My heart is broken, i had no idea

[@happywrenching960]

Where's the line at? If it's straight across from the flagman, O'Neal had it.

[@jettafixer7]

There is no "finish" line painted on the track. If you use the flag stand, how wide is the flagstand?Transponder line is the scoring line.

[@redbrrdz7423]

Bobby Pierce. Husdon. Best Short Track Racers! Inspirational

[@goldhunter9641]

Transponder Finish LOL I bet if Hudson's car would have had the number 20RT on the side of it, they would be here till this time next week trying to decide, who should we give this win to LMAO.. gotta love the politics involved

[@tristanmix9932]

Definitely looked like O'Neil got that shit

[@kenngrim6984]

Apparently Hudson was ok with the finish results ?

[@Tipzyyy]

he's the points leader now i think and he still walked away with 20k finishing 2nd. not bad at all

[@johnp.1971]

Looks like O’Neal at the line

[@MrChristopherHaas]

This is what happens when the #49 doesnt get carried away lol

[@thomaspritchard6571]

I don't know what the Officials was looking at but it looked like O'Neal won that race. Looks like the #1 got Robbed!

[@davids5006]

Yup

[@jjs9913]

The only thing that matters what they are looking at is the transponder timer...you assume the flagstand is the finish line but it's not...the finish line is around 20 ft before the flag stand...for 20+ years this is how dirt racing has been ruled

[@davids5006]

@@jjs9913 would make to much sense to have it at the flag stand I guess

[@jettafixer7]

There is no "finish" line painted on the track. If you use the flag stand, how wide is the flagstand?Transponder line is the scoring line.

[@jacasoasheland6815]

WOW! Looks like the Blue car won though

[@anggr4549]

If o'neal would not have made a mistake he would have won! Nice job bobby!

[@jimmymeeks6908]

Awesome race the two best out there today in my opinion congrats Bobby 👍

[@ericallen7589]

😮

[@dougnichols2347]

the announcers called it a "photo" finish. i'd like to see the photo of Bobby ahead of Hudson, just so the fans can learn where the finish line, oops i mean scoring loop, is located. why cant all tracks just make the Scoring loop and the finish line at the same place? Hopefully going forward James and the broadcast crew can let us know before the race starts weather it will end at the finish line, or before the finish line x amount of feet where the unseen scoring loop is. ya, know so we don't get all excited when the one that crosses the line first is not declared the winner. regardless of the outcome. it was a great race. but lucas oil got it wrong. Bobby may have been ahead at that scoring loop. It sure would have been nice to know that that final scoring loop is now where the race ends. maybe they can paint the wall facing the crowd and cameras with something like a line or something. maybe even a checkered line so we know where it ends. then they could add cameras at that spot too. ya know, for the close finishes heck hire i guy to wave colored flags from that spot. maybe lucas oil is on to something. id apply for that job. the scoring loop reading / flag waver guy.

[@thomasvaught262]

You sound like an uneducated casual spectator. For the past 25 years dirt tracks have been scored and judged this way. The scoring loop IS the start/finish line. Transponders are mounted in the same location on all cars, but yeah let's start a petition to get every dirt track in the country to dig up their scoring loop and bury them exactly in line with the flagstand because your feelings got hurt when they announced the ACTUAL winner.

[@harveytoomey3580]

The understanding I get the transponder line isn’t 100% straight either

[@andrewdials958]

Lucas oil is looking at this finish transponder is good thru the race except the last lap then they go by flag stand photo which clearly shows O'Neil winning. Just like earlier this year a race between B shep and Bruening shep beat him to the transponder but Bruening beat shep to flag stand they gave the win to b shep but after looking at photo they reversed the call because Bruening got to the flag stand first. Same situation here . Lucas oil will make the right call on this one to.

[@jjs9913]

It's already been made official...the start/finish line is not the flag stand at that track its around 20 feet before it. There's nothing for them to review and the transponder timer has Pierce ahead also.

[@kyledagit]

They need to relook at that bc Hudson O'Neal was feather ahead of Bobby Pierce.

[@michaelolenick4078]

I agree, they need to look again.

[@tripleeathletics]

The transponder bulbs are about 25ft before the flag stand. It’s not exactly decided at the flag stand like it should be. I say they need a high speed camera located ON the flag stand, and the winner is determined by the car that crosses first…

[@charlesd.3749]

Even with the bad camera angle you could tell he was ahead of him at the line. That’s crazy.

[@fewworddotrick]

​@@tripleeathleticsthat doesn't make any sense...the transponder beacon should line up basically exactly with finish line

[@Jakeking-hx7jp]

49

[@robertwestover2125]

Hud was robbed; check the transponder box location on the 32 race car.

[@netflixnchil421]

Or transponder line compared to location of flag stand. I know hilltop has there's 22 feet before the flagger. Alot of tracks are like that. Im sure hud knew where it was. Is what it is. Great race tho.

[@davids5006]

Obviously they aren't using a visual line

[@jeffomspaugh6691]

I guess the photo decision depends on the driver affected

[@fewworddotrick]

Bobby did a hell of a job but hudson got that one. If the transponder isnt lined up correctly with the finish line (someone said 25ft away) sounds like grounds for a lawsuit

[@clifforddriskel9138]

It's quite normal actually, they're almost never below the flagger....and the drivers usually know where it is so it doesn't matter. I've seen them as far as 25-30 before the stand.

[@fewworddotrick]

@@clifforddriskel9138 what's the point? I come from kart racing not really familiar with the setup for dirt late models but I know with karts that is definitely not normal. Transponder is lined up at the finish line and that's the final word.

[@ChrisMcIntosh-lj7rf]

Oh yes O'Neal won look at the photos at the finish line

[@robbiebrown3840]

Transponders in different places

[@danno_1520]

Hudson won the damn race

[@jamesriley9800]

I wish he did but I don't think the transponder line is at the flag stand I thinks it's like 15 foot before it

[@danielboynton3324]

Where the finish line!

[@itzmikeomg2755]

If O'Neal hadn't messed up in turn 2 he`d of won.

[@adamh2362]

He had to know pierce was gonna throw that massive slide at him in 3 and 4 Hudson shoulda undercut him he woulda won easily the way pierce hit the wall.

[@sirhcllewen5685]

The line is the same for all. Wtg BP32

[@brandonherrell5349]

Yeah O'Neil won that

[@happywrenching960]

Yeah it was a great race, but it's a shame that Lucas got the winner wrong. They need to change it. O'Neal won that hands down.

[@zterminatorxx6525]

Hudson won that race that was a bad call

[@benniebridenthal950]

Hudson got robbed on that one

[@worldofoutlaw1353]

O’Neal got robbed. He won that

[@areaone3813]

That’s some bullshit! The visual is O’Neal

[@ericanderson4441]

Don't call it a photo finish, if you're going to ignore the photos... I understand that the scoring loop may not be exactly at the flagstand, but it should be marked in some way. Whether you're a fan, or racer, to be told to ignore what we can still see with our eyes, is wrong.

[@davids5006]

Very wrong

[@rapingoldladies]

Hud got robbed

[@Chitowndipper]

Hudson won

[@thedude4457]

Wow what a terrible call for the win!!!!!

[@thesnows4329]

Something about this photo finish looks a little off. Guess seeing it with your own eyes doesn’t matter.

[@roydcox1282]

Oneal won by a nose what is up with that

[@jerryfasnacht]

I think they need to get rid of scoring loops and electionic scoring and go old school and race to the checkered flag and cut out all the extra bullshit and making things more complicated than it needs to be, i think the biggest problem with dirt track racing today is we're getting too far from the roots of racing and getting to the point

[@joshpitts7256]

🤦🏻‍♂️

[@jasonbullard2159]

Stop using the term photo finish when every photo shows the Rocket1 winning!!! Heck just do away with the flag stand and just use lights since you aren’t going to use the checkered flag as the finish 🤡🤡

[@dylanneitzel1592]

clearly hudson is ahead..not by much but still ahead. should of stuck his tongue out i guess lol.

[@netflixnchil421]

Hard to tell where transponder line is. And the transponder is mounted under the driver. It's not where the nose goes over the line it's when the driver crosses the line. And let's keep in mind them rocket cars are notoriously longer then longhorns specially the nose piece.

[@michaelarrington988]

Transponders mount on the right rear axle tube

[@Etan1122]

Hudson was robbed.

[@BradenLewis-bm2ur]

Incorrect

[@shrpshootr]

Timing line is just behind the flag stand, this is local track for me. Gotta remember where timing lines are my friend

[@jjs9913]

@@shrpshootr For so many peop,people, to be dirt fans its amazing how many have no clue how these races are determined or that tye transponder loop is not directly under the flag stand smh

[@happywrenching960]

Guys, it doesn't matter where the transponder beacon is set. It's called a start/finish line for a reason. If that's how the race was decided it's pathetic.

[@shroomzftw]

O'Neill won that by the nose of his car man that's b*******

[@clifforddriskel9138]

The flag stand doesn't determine the winner, the timing line does. A lot of tracks have it several (25' or so) before the stand itself.

[@davids5006]

@@clifforddriskel9138so there isn't an official start finish line... Seems stupid to me

[@jerryfasnacht]

​@@davids5006oh i know, before it used to be race to the checkered flag which is the way it should be, i say we should cut out technology from dirt track racing and go back to the roots of it and get straight to the point and less bullshit and headaches, photo finishes should be determined by photo and video and not by transponders that plain and simple

[@user-hz2qd1er8r]

Are they blind

[@wilddeuce9461]

O’Neal won that race. Even Ray Charles can see O’Neal won that race.

[@marshalllaw2865]

Exactly,I think Lucas had a blunder on this one

[@joshpitts7256]

Facts...