PETERSEN MEDIA
Making his way out to the West Coast for a two week stop, Tony Bruce, Jr, and his Bruce Racing team made their first stop at the Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, OR, and the results weren’t exactly what the team was looking for.
“We kind of had a roller coaster type weekend, in Lebanon, OR,” said Bruce. “I got in the way of a good car one night, and the other night, it was a freight train around the top.”
Action kicked off on Friday night and TBJ was able to work to the third spot from his fourth starting spot in his heat to transfer his Hinchman Indy/Pro Auto/Oil Medics machine directly into the feature event.
Starting in the 13th spot, Bruce’s job seemed to be rather tough as the track conditions forced everyone to run the high side of the speedway, ultimately in single file formation.
Bruce was able to work up to the tenth spot, but during the race, he cut a right-rear tire and fought his car as he slowly faded back.
At the stripe it was TBJ bring his SWE/Maxwell Industries/Smiley’s machine home in the 12th position.
“We had maybe a 10th place car on that track, but we faded at the end,” said Bruce. “I think we are all getting a little frustrated with the surfaces we’ve gotten the last few nights, so hopefully we can get something to entertain these fans soon.”
Saturday night closed out the series’ inaugural stop at the state-of-the-art facility.
Winning his heat race from the pole, TBJ would line his one8 Motorsports entry up in the ninth spot on what was shaping up to be a very racy track.
As the race got underway, TBJ didn’t seem to have it, as he couldn’t get going forward as he hung right inside the top-ten all night long.
With the race winding down, Bruce, Jr stayed in the ninth spot, and ended up finishing there as the checkered flag finally flew.
“I just got in the way of a pretty good car tonight,” said Bruce. “Wayne and the guys put a pretty good piece under me, and basically I drove like an idiot, and cost us a good finish.”
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: TBJ and the one8 motorsports team will now head north and make a stop at Sunset Speedway on Thursday night in Banks, OR, before heading to the Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, WA on Friday and Saturday night.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay updated with TBJ by visiting his website at
www.tonybrucejr.com, or by following him on twitter @tonybrucejr
SPONSOR SHOUT OUT: SWE
With nearly 30 years in the racing industry, Steve Watt of SWE is a dealer of various parts and components for both sprint cars and midgets to end up parked in victory lane on a nightly basis.
“When myself or Wayne (Priddy) feel like we don’t have the answer, we call Steve Watt.,” said TBJ. “His knowledge is so vast and valuable to our team. SWE has also launched a new line of aluminum race products for winged and non-winged sprint cars for 2012. Give Steve a call when you feel the need learn from one of the best in the business. “