Bryan Hulbert - TULSA, Okla. (February 20, 2013) Few racers have lived on both sides of the fence in regards to racing, and promoting. For the ones who have, there is a great respect for everything that goes into putting an event together.
Offering up shows again for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real in the 2013 season, Tony Bruce, Jr. will once again don the hat of driver and promoter through his company TBJ Promotions.
Starting with the Rock ‘N Roll 50 on April 27, TBJ Promotions will also offer the U.S. 36 Nationals on May 17 at Missouri’s U.S. 36 Raceway as well as the Steve King Memorial on May 25 at the Great American Dirt Track in Jetmore, Kan. TBJ Promotions is also the force behind the Eagle Nationals at Eagle Raceway on June 1 in Eagle, Nebraska.
Asked what people can expect from Tony Bruce, Jr. and his promotion company in 2013, Bruce replied, “Still pretty much, you know, the norm but at the same time trying to do everything bigger than last year and of course the Rock ‘N Roll 50 will still have the guitar for the trophy.”
“We’re always looking to expand some things. We’ve got some stuff we’re looking to roll out pretty quick for fans, and the people who continually go to all of our events so there are special incentives that may offer free races.”
Bringing up the subject of TBJ Promotions expanding in the future, Tony is definitely mindful of the possibilities but with staff being limited, it will be harder for Bruce to branch out and bring on more races.
Switching over to the racing side of Tony Bruce, Jr. the fact that Tony made the switch to Eagle Motorsports midway through the 2012 season was brought up.
Asked why the sudden change, Tony replied, “It made sense for us. I’ve had a good working relationship with Mike Long who is now in charge of Eagle Motorsports and, like I say, it just made sense for us.”
Expanding on other changes made, Tony pointed out that other than the driver, ButlerBuilt Seat, and style of tail tank, almost every other aspect of the car had been changed during the off season. More notably, the change from Chevrolet to Ford power.
“It was just that time” said the Kansas racer. “You know, we were definitely looking at doing something different and, you know, going with a company like Roush/Yates intrigued us. They do a lot of engines and they do a lot of high profile stuff so that’s why we looked at them.”
Essentially recreating his team, Tony noted one aspect that has not changed in the least is the person providing the set ups. A longtime member of the Oil Medics No. 18 team, Wayne Priddy will again be responsible for tuning the Factory Kahne inspired setups on the TBJ Promotions entry.
Asked what it means to have Wayne Priddy be a part of the team, Tony was direct in his response, “Wayne isn’t really an employee; he’s like a brother and best friend. We’ll fight and argue like brothers and have those moments, but at the same time he’s there to do his job 100 percent, and he expects that out of me the same way I expect that out of him and you know there are times we’re going to get at each other but, you know, one reason is he lives with me. I have a wife, and I have Wayne.”
Focusing on making improvements in the 2013 season in regards to success at the larger tracks, Tony in confident that the switch to the RoushYates engines will be the key. Reiterating comments made by Jason Johnson in regards to the Ford power, the key is not so much the power but where that power is available; especially at the top end.
Looking forward to getting the season going, Tony will see competition beginning at the Tucson International Raceway on Friday, Feb. 22 and Saturday, Feb. 23. The two day event will be preceded by a practice night on Thursday, Feb. 21 starting at 7pm. For more information, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.
The 2013 season marks the twenty-second year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, which brings the best of Sprint Car racing to dozens of different tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, ASCS also consists of nine different Regions throughout the nation.
Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. More information can be found on Lucas Oil Products at www.lucasoil.com. MAVTV is the presenting sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. Log onto www.mavtv.com for information regarding availability and listings in your area.
Associate sponsors for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV include: Hoosier Racing Tire and Brodix
Team Lucas Sponsors for the American Sprint Car Series consist of Protect the Harvest, Geico, E3 Spark Plugs, and General Tire.
Product and Contingency Sponsorship provided by: K&N Filters, PitstopUSA.com, Engler Machine and Tool, Roush Yates Racing Engines, FSR Radiator and Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Fuel Safe, Saldana Racing Products, SBI Fuel Bladders, Maxwell Industries, Print Place, Xtreme Accu-Tach, Simpson, LeJoie Seating, Ti 22 Performance, Wesmar Racing Engines, Hinchman Indy Racewear, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, DMI Rear Ends, Rod End Supply, Smiley’s Racing Products, Speedway Motors, and Hilborn Injection Systems.
Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com as well as Twitter (@LucasOilASCS) and Facebook. News and information can also be sent to you with the ASCS E-News by texting ASCS to 22828 with any mobile device.
- Bryan Hulbert on Feb 20, 2013
- Article Date: 2/20/2013