(Photo by Casey Jones)
Inside Line Promotions – SOMERTON, Ariz. (Nov. 16, 2014) – Track position was key last weekend during the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour’s season finale at Cocopah Speedway.
Tony Bruce Jr. and his One 8 Motorsports team took advantage of a good pill draw on Friday, when Bruce Jr. won his heat race after starting on the outside of the front row at the Cocopah Cup Challenge.
“We had a good draw Friday night and that set us up,” he said. “We took advantage of our heat race and put ourselves in the redraw.”
Unfortunately, he pulled the highest number – eight – during the random redraw, which lined Bruce Jr. up on the outside of the fourth row for the main event.
“The track was nice and slick,” he said. “There was no preferred line. We just missed it on the setup. Toward the end of the race I started to fade. I couldn’t get back to the gas soon enough on the exit of the corner.”
Bruce Jr. maneuvered into third place during the first half of the main event and he maintained a podium position for most of the race. However, two drivers were able to pass Bruce Jr. exiting turn four as they headed to the white flag.
Bruce Jr. finished fifth, which was one position out of locking into the $10,000-to-win feature on Saturday.
“It was such a horrible feeling falling to fifth in the last couple of laps,” he said. “We literally went from guaranteeing ourselves in the redraw on Saturday on the big night to drawing 70 and starting last and having to take a provisional to get in the show.”
The One 8 Motorsports team was forced to start last in a heat race on Saturday after drawing the No. 70 during the pill draw.
“I had a good start and unfortunately somebody washed up in front of me on the top entering turn one,” he said. “I had to get off the gas and I fell in line. Track position was so key because it was tough to pass.”
Bruce Jr. finished seventh in his heat race and he ended eighth in a B Main. He then used a series provisional to start 24th in the main event.
“I tried the top the first few laps and it really didn’t get us anywhere,” he said. “You had to be on the bottom all the way around the race track. Once we tucked in line we were just as fast as everybody else. The problem was we were all in the same lane.”
He ended with a 22nd-place result.
“It’s not the way we wanted to finish,” he said. “You just have to take it, roll with it and focus on the positives from the year. We’re excited to get back in the shop and make some adjustments to our program.”
Bruce Jr. finished the season seventh in the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour championship standings. It marked the sixth straight season he has placed in the top 10 in the standings.
QUICK RESULTS –
Nov. 14 – Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. – Heat race: 1 (2); Feature: 5 (8).
Nov. 15 – Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. – Heat race: 7 (8); B Main: 8 (10); Feature: 22 (24).
SEASON STATS –
65 races, 4 wins, 17 top fives, 37 top 10s, 46 top 15s, 59 top 20s
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.
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.TonyBruceJr.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TonyBruceJr
VIDEO –
Here is a link of Bruce Jr. at the Front Row Challenge and 360 Knoxville Nationals in August thanks to FinishLine Studios: http://youtu.be/380-i0vVgG8
Click on the link for a video by Thriller Productions that highlights Bruce Jr.’s Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour triumph at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on March 21: http://vimeo.com/89899519
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 and to join Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or InsideLinePromotions@gmail.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.