Bruce Grabs Third Win of 2012 at Valley

Tony Bruce, Jr. - Image courtesy of Peterson Media

PETERSEN MEDIA

– With a grueling schedule testing the strength of his team this past weekend, Tony Bruce, Jr rose to the challenge as he ran four races in five nights scoring a three top-10’s including an exciting win at the Valley Speedway on Wednesday night.

Scoring a heat race win from the pole position, TBJ and his one8 Motorsports/Pro Auto/The Oil Medics team pulled a six in the redraw, and started the 30-lap feature in the third row.

Bruce wasted no time working his way to the front as he quickly made quick work of Wayne Johnson and Kyle Bellm to race his way into the second put on the fifth circuit.

TBJ then stocked race leader, Brian Brown, for five laps, before sliding in front of the leader on the tenth circuit to over take the lead.

Once in front, Bruce was a rocket ship as he bobbed, and weaved through tight traffic on the rubber down track, to cruise on to this third win of the season and second with the Lucas Oil ASCS National tour.

“I can’t say enough about all of my sponsors and my team,” said Bruce in victory lane. “Wayne Priddy gives me a great car every night, and I just have to drive my ass off, and tonight we finally got back here with the national series.”

Thursday the scene shifted to the I80 Speedway in Greenwood, NE and Bruce found himself starting the feature deep in the field.

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it’s tough to pass cars and especially these national guys, so grabbing a good finish from the back it’s something to be proud of,” Bruce continued.

Starting in the 17th spot after winning the B, TBJ put his FK Rod Ends/Smiley/Factory Kahne Shocks backed entry on the tip top of the speedway and muscled his way inside the top ten.

Bruce continued to use the cushion, and raced his way to solid sixth place finish.

“Coming from the B and running sixth is pretty good, we just need to work on not having to go through the B,” TBJ said.

Saturday and Sunday brought on an eventful weekend for the series and TBJ as they invaded Jetmore, KS for the Steve King Memorial, an event promoted by TBJ Promotions.

“It’s both fun and hectic promoting, and racing, but the events are so gratifying to see come together, I’m just hopeful we can perform a little better at them,” Bruce said with a smile.

Saturday night again saw Bruce deep in the field as he lined up in the 15th spot, but he made moves quick and he made them early as he worked his way up to the seventh spot on the fourth lap, but on the fifth lap, Bruce clipped an infield tire and was forced to the work area.

Repairing as much as the crew could, Bruce returned to field and limped his way to a 15th place finish.

“I simply got to low, and made a huge mistake,” said Bruce. “Wayne had the car good, the driver just got in the way,”.

Sunday night saw the hectic week come to a close with the finale of the Steve King Memorial, and Bruce closed the week with a seventh place finish.

“Sunday I was just too tight,” he said. “I thought it would slick off a little bit more than it did, but we guessed wrong. I want to congratulate Brady on winning the race, he was pretty good all night.”

Bruce would like to thank all of his sponsors, Hinchman Racewear, Pro Auto, The Oil Medics, Smileys, SWE, Maxwell Industries, FK Rod Ends, Butlerbuilt, Factory Kahne Shocks, Randy’s Racing Filters, DriversWebsites.com, Racinboys.com, Wilwood, Zemco Headers, Hoosier Tires, Gaerte Engines, Pro Powder Coating, Fuel Safe, Bell, Weld Wheels, and ISC Racer’s Tape for their support through the 2012 season.

ON TAP: The one8 Motorsports team will now take a look at some upcoming races in preparation for the Eagle National’s coming up on June 8-9th in Eagle, NE.

STAY CONNECTED: Stay updated with TBJ by visiting his website at

www.tonybrucejr.com, or by following him on twitter @tonybrucejr