(Photo by Joe Orth Photos)
Inside Line Promotions – MESQUITE, Texas (June 15, 2014) – Tony Bruce Jr. was only a handful of laps away from earning a pair of runner-up results on Saturday at Devil’s Bowl Speedway.
After piloting Kurt Summer’s sprint car from seventh to second place in the RaceSaver 305 main event, Bruce Jr. spent the first 20 laps in the runner-up position during the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour feature at the half-mile oval.
Unfortunately, a mechanical issue forced the One 8 Motorsports entry to the pits early and Bruce Jr. was credited with a 17th-place finish on the opening night of the Bob Westphal Memorial Cup Speedweek.
“It’s a shame that happened while we had a second-place run going,” Bruce Jr. said.
Prior to that point the night had been phenomenal.
Bruce Jr. finished second in his RaceSaver 305 heat race before rallying to the podium finish in the main event.
“Kurt built the engine inside of his garage so it was fun to put a smile on his face taking the least funded car to a second-place finish,” he said.
Bruce Jr. was just as effective during his ASCS National Tour heat race, which he won after starting on the outside of the second row.
That earned him a trip to the feature redraw, where he drew the No. 2 to start the 30-lap feature on the outside of the front row.
“We were running pretty good,” he said. “We were a solid second. I’m not sure if we had anything for (Seth) Bergman or not.”
Bruce Jr. maintained the runner-up position throughout the first two thirds of the race before he suddenly exited the track with approximately 10 laps remaining.
“We put together a brand new car and I’m not sure exactly what happened,” he said. “It plugged up all the nozzles so the motor quit running because it couldn’t get any fuel. It was down on power and was quitting.”
Bruce Jr. will return to action with the ASCS National Tour and the Bob Westphal Memorial Cup Speedweek this Wednesday at Lawton Speedway in Lawton, Okla. The remainder of the Speedweek includes: Thursday at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Okla.; Friday at Outlaw Motorsports Park in Wainwright, Okla.; and Saturday at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo.
QUICK RESULTS –
June 14 – Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas (360 class) – Heat race: 1 (4); Feature: 17 (2).
June 14 – Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas (305 class) – Heat race: 2 (1); Feature: 2 (7).
SEASON STATS –
24 races, 2 wins, 6 top fives, 14 top 10s, 16 top 15s, 22 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Wednesday at Lawton Speedway in Lawton, Okla.; Thursday at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Okla.; Friday at Outlaw Motorsports Park in Wainwright, Okla.; and Saturday at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., for the Bob Westphal Memorial Cup Speedweek with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour
LIVE COVERAGE –
To keep up to speed with Bruce Jr. at every Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour event, visit http://www.RacinBoys.com for free, live audio. Additionally, RacinBoys will provide live Pay-Per-View video at select races.
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.TonyBruceJr.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TonyBruceJr
VIDEO –
Click on the link for a video by Thriller Productions that highlights Bruce Jr.’s Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour triumph at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on March 21: http://vimeo.com/89899519
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Wheeler Metals
Established in 1968, Wheeler Metals is a sheet metal business that offers a variety of products for professional and amateur builders. Wheeler Metals has three locations in Muskogee, Okla., Rogers, Ark., and Springfield, Mo. For more information, visit http://www.WheelerMetals.com.
“When I moved to the Tulsa area a few years back we built a brand new shop,” Bruce Jr. said. “We always strive as a race team to find the best products for the situation and that was no different selecting the company to build our building. Wheeler Metals was the perfect fit for our needs. From 10x10 pole barns to 100x100 full metal buildings, they have it all. I challenge anyone to find a building company that will work the customers’ needs like they do.”
Bruce Jr. would also like to thank Lubbock Wrecker Service, Briley Trucking, The Oil Medics, Hinchman Racewear, Eagle Motorsports, Smiley’s Racing Products, SWE, Maxwell Industries, Moss Racing Engines, FK Rod Ends, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Factory Kahne Shocks, DriverWebsites.com, RacinBoys.com, Wilwood, Schoenfeld Headers, Hoosier Racing Tires, HRP, Kaeding Performance, Schaeffer Oil, Fuel Safe, Bell Helmets, Four Seasons Radiator, Southern Trailer Works, KSE, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Weld Wheels, ISC Racers Tape and Pressure Tek for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program and to join Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or InsideLinePromotions@gmail.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
Article Credit: Inside Line Promotions