(Photo by Mike Howard Photos)
Inside Line Promotions – LEXINGTON, Tenn. (Aug. 24, 2014) – Tony Bruce Jr. will ride the momentum gained from his runner-up result last Friday into the 36th annual Jackson Nationals this weekend.
“Last year we were really good there and it’s always fun to go back to a place you are good at,” he said.
Bruce Jr. earned a pair of top fives last year during the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour doubleheader at Jackson Speedway in Jackson, Minn. He will return to the fast track this Friday and Saturday for the marquee event following a second-place finish at Lexington 104 Speedway last Friday.
Bruce Jr. earned a spot in the feature redraw after placing second in his heat race. He then pulled the No. 1 in the random draw to start on the pole of the main event.
“We had a good car and were able to drive away from everybody at the beginning,” he said. “It was one of those cases where the track changed halfway through. As the leader you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t. The middle of the race track finally came in and I was still running the top. Unfortunately, the top slowed down enough where Jeff (Swindell) was able to drive through the middle and get by us.”
Bruce Jr. led the first 15 laps before being passed exiting turn two at the midpoint of the race. He maintained second place for the remainder of the feature. It marked his 11th top five of the season.
“It sucks because I felt like we had the car to win the race, but at least we ended on a positive note compared to how the weekend started,” he said.
Bruce Jr. and the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour opened last weekend on Thursday at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Ark., for the Midsouth Showdown.
“You didn’t want to be on the inside of the start of the heat races,” he said. “The track wasn’t in very good condition. It was still greasy on the bottom. Unfortunately we started on the inside.”
Bruce Jr. dropped from third to fifth place in his heat race, which relegated him to the B Main. While he raced in a transfer position throughout the first part of the consolation race, a car in front of him failed to take off on a restart and Bruce Jr. broke his front end after a collision when the green flag was waved. He was unable to resume the race.
“We were behind someone and their night went bad and then our night went bad,” he said. “It was one of those deals that was all bad luck. It didn’t have anything to do with us on the race track as far as our skillset or effort.”
QUICK RESULTS –
Aug. 21 – Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Ark. – Heat race: 5 (3); B Main: DNF (3).
Aug. 22 – Lexington 104 Speedway in Lexington, Tenn. – Heat race: 2 (1); Feature: 2 (1).
SEASON STATS –
47 races, 3 wins, 11 top fives, 25 top 10s, 31 top 15s, 43 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Friday and Saturday at Jackson Speedway in Jackson, Minn., for the 36th annual Jackson Nationals 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 – Hinchman Racewear
With more than 80 years in the industry, Hinchman Racewear prides itself on safety, experience, innovation, quality and customer service. For more information on how Hinchman Racewear can protect you, visit http://www.HinchmanRacewear.com.
“When looking for safety and innovation, look no further than Hinchman Racewear,” Bruce Jr. said. “With great customer service and a passion for keeping drivers protected, it’s no wonder why they are the leaders in the custom suit industry. I choose Hinchman to keep me safe and I encourage all drivers to do the same.”
Bruce Jr. would also like to thank Lubbock Wrecker Service, Wheeler Metals, Briley Trucking, The Oil Medics, 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.
- Shawn Miller on Aug 24, 2014
- Article Date: 8/24/2014 by Inside Line Promotions