PETERSEN MEDIA
– Going to work at the famed Knoxville Raceway in the 410 division on Saturday night, Tony Bruce, Jr can only shake his head in frustration, and turn the page as the Owasso, OK driver salvaged a 13th place finish after what he calls a terrible start to the night.
“I just didn’t start the night off on the wheel,” Bruce, Jr admitted. “Wayne worked his tail off on the car all night, and I didn’t do my part.”
With 30 cars in the pits at the historic ½ mile, Bruce’s qualifying efforts put him 21st on the speed chart, and buried him in his heat race.
Lining up seventh in his heat, Bruce wasn’t able to go anywhere in his heat as he fell back to the eighth spot in his heat, and found himself in the night’s ‘B’.
“After the heat, Wayne continued to work on the thing, I had look inside myself about my driving,” said Bruce, Jr.
After giving himself a “wake-up call”, TBJ started fifth in the B, and put his Hinchman/Oil Medics/Factory Kahne machine in the show, by way of a fourth place finish, and ultimately lined up in the 22nd position.
In the feature Bruce was able to work his Wayne Priddy tuned machine forward, but still was marred in traffic and in the middle of the pack.
“We got going okay in the feature, and it was a breath of fresh air after the way our night started,” Bruce continued.
TBJ was able to work his way up to the 13th spot, still not the finish he was looking for.
“We got going a lot better in the feature, but a 13th is not what anyone is ever looking for,” Bruce explained. “We rebounded from a tough start, but it’s still not a good night. Now we will head to Little Rock, AR for some more ASCS action.”
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 head to I 30 Speedway for a pair of Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour events this weekend, May 11-12.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay updated with TBJ by visiting his website at
www.tonybrucejr.com, or by following him on twitter @tonybrucejr
SPONSOR SHOUT OUT: Factory Kahne Shocks
Specializing in Sprint Car shocks, Factory Kahne continues to lead the way in short track racing. Located in North Carolina, Factory Kahne dealers can be found in several different regions of the country, supplying product, and support to several of the countries top teams.
“We are pleased to have Factory Kahne shocks on our car this year,” said TBJ. “After seeing how far their company has come in a few short years I trust Willie (Kahne) and the guys to make sure we have what it takes to win. “