Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 11, 2013) – While the results weren’t what Tony Bruce Jr. had envisioned, he had a blast piloting the Ochs Racing car during the 53rd annual FVP Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Raceway last weekend.
“We weren’t going to be able to run our car and thankfully the Ochs brothers were willing to put me in their car for the Nationals,” Bruce Jr. said. “I really want to thank them for the opportunity to race and have fun at the Nationals.”
Bruce Jr. got off to a rough start during his preliminary night on Thursday at the famed half-mile track.
“We didn’t draw very good and then went out there and had a bleeder come apart,” he said. “Unfortunately we got a flat tire in qualifying. That put us 50th quick and we pretty much had to start dead last in everything we were in. It was one of those things where you start last and it’s tough to do anything from last at Knoxville because everybody is on their ‘A’ game.”
Bruce Jr. finished ninth in his heat race, missing a spot in the B Main by one position. He started the C Main in 10th and charged to a runner-up finish, which transferred him to the back of the B Main. Bruce Jr. then rallied from 22nd to 12th in the consolation race.
He returned to Knoxville Raceway on Friday, but was hampered by a slow qualifying lap.
“We went out for qualifying and I didn’t really cut a very good lap,” he said. “We were in a transition period where the top was the place to be. A couple of cars before us the bottom came in and I actually still went to the top. It was a bad lap and set the tone for the rest of the night.”
Bruce Jr. drove from seventh to fifth in his heat race, which relegated him to the B Main. After starting 12th, a rock knocked an injector line off during the opening lap. He brought out a caution and the team fixed the problem, but Bruce Jr. had to restart last.
“We passed a few cars and finished 14th, but that put us in the D Main for Saturday,” he said.
With five cars transferring out of the D Main during the final night of the 53rd annual FVP Knoxville Nationals, Bruce Jr. put himself in position to advance before veteran Sammy Swindell made a late-race pass.
“The first start we went from eighth to fourth and unfortunately it got called back,” Bruce Jr. said. “On the second start we went from eighth to sixth. I got up to a transfer spot and unfortunately Sammy Swindell came from the back and got us in the last couple of laps. We ended up a little bit short. I think if our weekend wasn’t plagued with minor setbacks we probably would have been ok.”
Bruce Jr. ended the event sixth in the D Main, which was one position out of transferring.
He will return to his car on Saturday at Salina Highbanks Speedway in Salina, Okla., with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour.
QUICK RESULTS –
Aug. 8 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 50; Heat race: 9 (10); C Main: 2 (10); B Main: 12 (22).
Aug. 9 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 42; Heat race: 5 (7); B Main: 14 (12).
Aug. 10 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – D Main: 6 (8).
SEASON STATS –
44 races, 3 wins, 15 top fives, 25 top 10s, 35 top 15s, 39 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Saturday at Salina Highbanks Speedway in Salina, Okla., with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.tonybrucejr.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonybrucejr
VIDEO –
Here is a link for RacinBoys’ footage of Bruce Jr.’s victory at Boyd Raceway on April 26: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Wx3nrOFTDyg
APPAREL –
Bruce Jr. has black and white t-shirts in adult sizes for sale at his race trailer at each of his races. For his schedule, visit http://www.TonyBruceJr.com/schedule.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – The Oil Medics
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, The Oil Medics services diesel trucks and distributes racing oil for sprint car engines and rear ends. For more information, visit http://www.theoilmedics.com.
“Bill and the entire Jewell family has been more than just a great sponsor, but also great friends,” Bruce Jr. said. “They specialize in truck maintenance and fuel economy, which has saved us hundreds of dollars the past couple of years in diesel fuel.”
Bruce Jr. would also like to thank Lubbock Wrecker Service, Wheeler Metals, Briley Trucking, Hinchman Racewear, Eagle Motorsports, Smiley’s Racing Products, SWE, Maxwell Industries, FK Rod Ends, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Factory Kahne Shocks, DriverWebsites.com, RacinBoys.com, Wilwood, Schoenfield Headers, Hoosier 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, media management and merchandising services for sprint car teams. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and your sponsors’ return on investment.
To meet the media relations needs of your team, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or sprintcarreporter@yahoo.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.insidelinepromotions.com.
- Tony Bruce on Aug 11, 2013
- Article Date: 8/11/2013 by Inside Line Promotions