PETERSEN MEDIA
Returning to action with the Lucas Oil ASCS National series over the weekend, Tony Bruce, Jr felt the wrath of the Friday the 13th weekend, as he lost a rear-end while leading Friday night, and cut a tire running third on Saturday.
“I’m not one to believe in stuff like that, but Friday the 13th was a wild night for us, and led to a weekend that really disappoints you.
Bruce had reason to feel disappointed as the Liberal, KS turned Owasso, OK resident spent the early portion on Friday night’s feature battling with local product, Travis Elliot.
On the opening stages, Bruce worked up to battle with Elliot, but cautions fell in Elliot’s favor just as the reached traffic.
Finally on the eighth circuit, the lead duo got into traffic, and TBJ was able to power his Pro Auto/Oil Medics/Maxwell Industries machine around Elliot and into the lead.
Once in front, Bruce was simply on rails as he distanced himself to nearly a straight way advantage over the second running Elliot.
“Wayne (Priddy) really has the car working well, I definitely feel like it was the class of the field,” said TBJ.
The party came to an abrupt halt for Bruce and his one8 motorsports team as he came up lame in the fourth corner of the 21st lap.
A rear-end failure was the prognosis and Bruce’s night would end and he would be scored in the 18th position.
“It is a terrible feeling,” said Bruce. “You don’t get opportunities to win many of these races, and when something breaks it just makes it worse.”
The wild weekend was only just getting started as the series shifted to the Battlegrounds Speedway in Highlands, TX on Saturday night.
Lining up third in his heat race, Bruce, would score a third place finish, and be good enough to transfer into the feature where he was gridded the field in the 13th spot.
Bruce and his one8 motorsports team again put a stout car on the track, as Bruce was a man on a mission from the rear of the field.
With his right rear stuck to the cushion, Bruce worked through traffic beautifully as he worked his way up to the third spot.
As fate would have it, Bruce’s right rear went flat on the 20th lap, and he was forced pit side for a new tire, and was again marred in the back of the field.
Staying true to form of the first half of the race, Bruce, Jr was still a rocket ship through the field, but wasn’t able to get back up to third, as he salvaged the night with a ninth place finish.
“Our car has been awesome as of late, and I can’t thank Wayne, and my great sponsors enough,” Bruce explained. “It was a rough weekend but everyone knows were here, and I like that.”
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 is now set to do battle with the World of Outlaws as the series is set for State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, MO. Saturday night they will head to the Knoxville Raceway for the tracks season opener!
STAY CONNECTED: Stay updated with TBJ by visiting his website at
www.tonybrucejr.com, or by following him on twitter @tonybrucejr
SPONSOR SHOUT OUT: Maxwell Industries
Returning to the one8 motorsports team is Maxwell Industries. Combining over 55 years of suspension, data acquisition and control experience, Maxwell Industries products bring suspension testing to a new level. Users are becoming more aware of the performance and durability of the products they rely on each and everyday. From the train station to the race track Maxwell Industries can provide quality equipment to keep you moving.
Our shock program greatly improve in the 2008 season when we purchased a shock dyno from Maxwell Industries. It has kept us up to date ever since. Having a shock dyno will help keep any team ahead of the curve.