(Photo by Dusty Wiegert/Dirt Racing USA)
Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 2, 2015) – Tony Bruce Jr. is rejuvenated following a five-week break from sprint car racing.
Bruce Jr. took the momentum of a three-race winning streak in June into his return to the One 8 Motorsports cockpit on Saturday at Knoxville Raceway, where he registered his second podium finish in two races this season.
“The nice thing is having a fast car at Knoxville from the start,” he said. “We’ve been fast there the last couple of years. I’m looking forward to getting this next week going.”
Bruce Jr. opened the event by qualifying seventh quickest out of the 39 competitors.
“We were good in qualifying even though I felt like I didn’t cut a clean lap,” he said. “We probably had a chance to get quick time. The key is to qualify in the top eight, get through the heat and get into the redraw.”
Bruce Jr. advanced from fifth to fourth place during a heat race to lock himself into the feature redraw, which resulted in him pulling the No. 1 during the random draw to garner the pole position for the main event.
“I really didn’t get a good start,” he said. “It was one of those races where there was so much going on. Lapped traffic was so tough. At one point I was leading it and at one point I was running fifth. From a fan standpoint it had to be amazing.”
Bruce Jr. battled back from his rough start to take the lead on Lap 14. Unfortunately, he was slowed in traffic on the ensuing lap, which allowed a couple of competitors to return the pass.
“I just got caught in dirty air when I finally took the lead,” he said. “I wasn’t able to clear lapped traffic like I needed to. I really wish we could have got the win.”
Bruce Jr. finished with a third-place result, which provides a boost entering the 25th annual Arnold Motor Supply 360 Knoxville Nationals this Thursday and Saturday at Knoxville Raceway.
“I feel like we can go out there and compete for a win,” he said. “Hopefully things go our way in qualifying and that sets us up for the weekend.”
QUICK RESULTS –
Aug. 1 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 7; Heat race: 4 (5); Feature: 3 (1).
SEASON STATS –
26 races, 3 wins, 8 top fives, 15 top 10s, 19 top 15s, 23 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Thursday and Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, for the 25th annual Arnold Motor Supply 360 Knoxville Nationals
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.TonyBruceJr.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TonyBruceJr
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.
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, Briley Trucking, Wheeler Metals, 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 by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
- Shawn Miller on Aug 02, 2015
- Article Date: 8/2/2015 by Inside Line Promotions