TULSA, Okla. (February 6, 2014) Before the start of the 2013 season, Tony Bruce, Jr. changed everything in his team, except maybe the brand of shoes he wore in the car. Chassis, engine, rear-ends, you name it a different lineup of supplies was bolted to the OneEight Motorsports entry.
"We pretty much redeveloped our race team last year and so, at the beginning of the season we had some flaws, and some of those things we had to work out, but once we got those things worked out, I feel like we were right where we needed to be," said Bruce when asked about how the changes affected his 2013 season.
Enter the 2014 season, and the laundry list of changes is not the case.
"This winter, we really haven't changed anything," said Bruce. "We're using all the same car manufactures, engine builders, rear-end, steering; just all the same stuff so I think by staying the same and not making any changes over the off-season is really going to be our key to being consistent."
Pointing out using the same engine builder, Tony brings reference to Chris Moss, who was the key Sprint Car engine builder at Roush/Yates before the program was scrapped at the latter part of 2013. Because of that, Tony can use the full assortment of engines he began with in 2013; be it Chevrolet or Ford.
"Last year, I felt like Fords ran better on certain race tracks, but at the same time felt like Chevys probably ran better at different styles of tracks, as well. We kept the Chevys from my previous years of racing, so this year I feel like we're going to have a nice assortment of engines because we'll have two Chevys, and two Fords."
Again a Racer/Promoter in 2014, TBJ Promotions will kick off the 2014 ASCS Lineup with the Eagle Motorsports Rock 'N Roll 50 at the Riverside International Speedway on May 3, followed by the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour's return to Lakeside Speedway on May 8.
The Hinchman Race Wear Eagle Nationals is scheduled for action on May 31 at the famed Eagle Raceway. June 28 and 29 will feature the Steve King Memorial, which this year will be an ASCS Sooner Region / NCRA event split between the Dodge City Raceway Park and 81-Speedway.
Adding a new race to the ASCS National lineup, the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real will make a second trip to "The Ditch" for the Mid-South Showdown on August 21.
Asked if the promotional company ever takes away, or hinders, his ability to compete, Bruce gave no indication of it slowing him down, "I've got a great promotional staff. My wife does a real good job; my sister helps at every race, and my dad tries to make as many as possible. This year we, added Chris "Snow" Giddings to help out as well so with such a great support staff, it really makes it a lot easier to be a driver too than some may think."
One difference that Bruce will have for the 2014 season is the chance to race in other equipment. Taking advantage of some the down time at the start of the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour season, it gives the Kansas native a chance to learn from others.
"Sometimes just getting a different perspective, and driving someone else's car, and doing some other things, it really helps you on your own stuff, so you don't get tunnel vision and focus on one thing."
With nearly all of Tony's 2013 sponsors coming back for the coming run, Bruce points out companies like The Oil Medics, which has been with Bruce for the past five years.
"To have a partnership last that long is something that's really important to me and is rare in racing."
Tony Bruce, Jr. ended his 2013 season fifth in National Tour standings. The 2005 Brodix Rookie of the Year added two National Tour wins, at two new tracks, to his credit in 2013, first on July 10 at the Electric City Speedway in Great Falls, Mont. then night one of the Hockett/McMillin Memorial at Lucas Oil Speedway on September 27.
Overall, Tony Bruce, Jr. has 10 Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real wins along with 13 ASCS Regional victories. Tony Bruce, Jr. can be found online at http://www.tonybrucejr.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
Publications on Tony Bruce, Jr. are provided throughout the year by Shawn Miller's Inside Line Promotions. To sign up for direct news concerning Tony Bruce, Jr. email sprintcarreporter@yahoo.com.
The 2014 Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real season begins February 28 and March 1 at the Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. Tickets for the $10,000 to win event are on sale at http://www.cocopahspeedway.com
2013 ASCS (Regional/National) Record: Events: 53: Wins - 4, Top 5 - 23, Top 10 - 38
Overall ASCS National Tour Record: A-Feature Starts: 244: Wins - 10, Top 5 - 63, Top 10 - 136
The 2014 season marks the twenty-third 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. Anchored by the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, ASCS also consists of ten 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, iON Camera, Smokey Mountain Moonshine, C&R Radiator, Hawk Performance Products, Geico, E3 Spark Plugs, and General Tire.
Product and Contingency Sponsorship provided by: K&N Filters, PitstopUSA.com, Engler Machine and Tool, FSR Radiator and Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Fuel Safe, Saldana Racing Products, Maxwell Industries, Print Place, Simpson, The Joie of Seating, Wesmar Racing Engines, Hinchman Indy Racewear, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, DMI Rear Ends, Rod End Supply, Smiley's Racing Products, Speedway Motors, Speedmart, 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 06, 2014
- Article Date: 2/6/2014