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(Photo by Casey Jones)

Inside Line Promotions – TULSA, Okla. (Jan. 16, 2017) – Tony Bruce Jr. was on pace for a career-best performance last week during the 31st annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Presented by General Tire.

The Team Eights competitor maneuvered from third place to win a heat race before advancing from fifth to third place during a qualifier to open Tuesday’s preliminary night. That ranked him eighth in overall points out of approximately 90 racers, which was good enough to lock directly into the A Main.

“We had a little luck in the heat and was able to win and then I was able to move forward in the qualifier to get us more points,” he said. “I had a good car in the A Main and was battling with some guys who are consistently in the A Main on Saturday each year.”

Bruce Jr. maintained a top 10 throughout the first half of the race until a parts failure relegated him to the pits early.

“We were running 10th right around midway when the timing belt broke,” he said. “If it wasn’t for a little bad luck having a belt break we had a good opportunity to make the A Main on Saturday night. If you have one DNF at the Chili Bowl it almost ruins your entire week in terms of making the Saturday A Main.”

Bruce Jr., who was credited with a 23rd-place finish, would have likely locked into a Saturday B Main if he had finished in the position he was running. Instead he was relegated toward the back of a D Main on Saturday.

“We had a really good car there in the D Main,” he said. “I got a good jump on the first start, but someone spun out and the start got called back. On the second start I didn’t get as good of a jump and lost a few spots. I had to fight my way back up. We got to eighth and caught some really good cars. Whenever you get in the C Mains and D Mains on Saturday there’s nothing but good race cars. You have to have everything go your way and we didn’t on the start.”

Bruce Jr. rallied into eighth place, but the drivers racing for the final transfer position were side by side on the final lap and Bruce Jr. was unable to advance any further.

QUICK RESULTS –

Jan. 10 – Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. – Heat race: 1 (3); Qualifier: 3 (5); Feature: 23 (8).

Jan. 14 – Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. – D Main: 8 (12).

UP NEXT –

TBD

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.TonyBruceJr.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TonyBruceJr

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Wheeler Metals

Established in 1968, Wheeler Metals is a sheet metal business that offers a variety of products for professional and amateur builders. Wheeler Metals has three locations in Muskogee, Okla., Rogers, Ark., and Springfield, Mo. For more information, visit http://www.WheelerMetals.com.

“When I moved to the Tulsa area a few years back we built a brand new shop,” Bruce Jr. said. “We always strive as a race team to find the best products for the situation and that was no different selecting the company to build our building. Wheeler Metals was the perfect fit for our needs. From 10x10 pole barns to 100x100 full metal buildings, they have it all. I challenge anyone to find a building company that will work the customers’ needs like they do.”

Bruce Jr. would also like to thank Briley Trucking, Lubbock Wrecker Service, The Oil Medics, Hinchman Racewear, 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, Pressure Tek, Tiger Towing (Dave and Paula Debates), Sorrels Auto and Truck Parts (Mitchell Sorrels), Melvin Plumbing (Billy Melvin), Engler Machine & Tool, Inc., Maxim Chassis, Wulff Pumps, Miller Auto Supply and Jeff Smith Racing Engines 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 by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.