“We are really excited with some of the additions we made to the team with sponsors and team members, as well as welcoming back a ton of our previous supporter,” said the driver known simply as TBJ.

For starters, Bruce is very excited to welcome back crew-chief, Wayne Priddy. The duo previously worked together as recently as 2010, and towards the end of the 2011 season Bruce teamed up with Priddy in preparation for the 2012 season.

“I am very excited to have Wayne back with me again in 2012,” said Bruce. “We’ve had some success in the past, and I’m confident we can pick that back up in 2012. After we brought Wayne back last year we saw instant results, so I’m excited for opening night.”

Priddy is equally as excited to be back with Bruce Racing.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” said Priddy. We have been together before and have a great understanding of each other and our individual expectations for the team. I think that if we treat every night as a one race season, then the end of the season will be very rewarding for all involved.”

Bruce is also excited to welcome aboard two very prominent marketing partners in Hinchman Racewear, Pro Auto and Steve Watt Enterprises (SWE).

Specializing in driver safety, Hinchman Racewear has been around since 1925 and still lead the industry in style, but more importantly lead the industry in safety. Hinchman changed the game in 1965 as they were the first suit to use Nomax exclusively. In 1999 the company led the push to used Carbon-X in their suits, and then in 2004 Hinch introduced “Comfort Tech”. This lining creates a 3-layer suit that is lighter, thinner, comfortable and more protective than most 2-layer suits.

“After meeting Nancy this winter I knew that Hinchman Racewear would be the perfect company to put my trust in to keep me safe,” explained Bruce. “Every time that I strap into my car this year I know that I’m going to be protected and that alone is worth .2 on the stopwatch!”

Bruce is also very excited about Pro Auto. In the past Bruce has driven for company owner, Clifford Young, at times, but in 2012 Bruce’s schedule won’t allow it, but Young has decided to contribute to Bruce Racing.

Located in Memphis, TN, Pro Auto Sales is a friendly family ran, state-of-the-art full service auto repair shop. Owned by Clifford Young, Pro Auto has been a supporter of sprint car racing for several years, and is a quality business in the Memphis Area.

“Clifford Young let me drive his race car last year when I didn’t have National Events to race with my car, but with the increased schedule this year it really left me no time to drive the #7,” said Bruce. “Thankfully Clifford believes in me enough to come on board to our team for the 2012 campaign. I feel lucky to have met and got the opportunity to call him and his family part of mine.”

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.”

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, Weld Wheels, and ISC Racer’s Tape for their support through the 2012 season.

ON TAP: TBJ and his Bruce Racing team are set for the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour opener that is scheduled to fire off of March 2nd at the Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Arizona for the Copper on Dirt.

STAY CONNECTED: Stay updated with TBJ by visiting his website at www.tonybrucejr.com, or by following him on twitter @tonybrucejr

PETERSEN MEDIA: Petersen Media specializes in motorsports media constructing news releases, both pre and post race, as well as constructing email lists to keep sponsors, and fans up to date. Petersen Media also utilizes today’s Social Media networks to provide trackside updates to fans and sponsors, and can customize packages to fit your teams needs.

For more information contact sales@petersenmediainc.com, by phone at 916-342-3424, visit www.petersenmediainc.com, www.facebook.com/PetersenMedia, or follow www.twitter.com/petersen_Media.

Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Arizona will host the first two nights of racing for the 2012 season with the Copper Classic on Friday March 2nd and Saturday March 3rd. As soon as the first rounds of points are tallied the tour will head further into the “Grand Canyon State” for a double header at Cocopah Speedway just outside Yuma on Friday March 9th and Saturday March 10th.

New Tracks – To date the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters has visited the state of Arizona 11 times with events at the former USA Raceway in Tucson, Arizona. The Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters has logged 640 feature events at 117 tracks in 27 states since 1993. Canyon Speedway Park will be 118 with Cocopah Speedway 119 on the list of tracks who have hosted the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by K&N Filters.

Opening Night Winners – Gary Wright leads the field of drivers who has claimed first night victories doing so in 2000, 2004, and 2007. Garry Lee Maier has a pair of opening night wins in 1995 and 1998 while Zach Chappell holds the distinction as being the only driver to have claimed back to back season openers in 2002 and 2003.

Other drivers who have claimed opening night wins include Mike Ward (1993), Tim Crawly (1994), Jason Sides (1996), Lee Scrape (1997), Terry Gray (1999), Larry Neighbors (2001), Danny Jennings (2005), Travis Rilat (2006), Kenny Adams (2008), Shane Stewart (2009), Sammy Swindell (2010), and Tim Kaeding (2011).

Of the divers who have claimed the opening night victories since 1993, Tim Crawley (1994), Gary Wright (2004 and 2007), and Shane Stewart (2009) are the only drivers to have ended the season atop the leaderboard.

Past Champions – Four past Lucas Oil ASCS champions are expected for the opening tour in Arizona. Expected champions include four-time series champion Gary Wright (2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007) who will be running as a driver/car owner for the 2012 season. Three-time champion Tim Crawley (2002, 1999 and 1994) will also be on hand in the Mike Ward Motorsports 88.

Jason Johnson will also be on hand for the season opener. The start of the 2011 season saw Johnson absent from the first four races in 2011 while finishing up competition in Australia. Johnson is a two time driver champion (2008 and 2010) as well as being three time owner champion (2008, 2010, and 2011). Johnson will be piloting the Stenhouse Jr./JJR 41 in 2012.

Also joining the line-up of champions will be 2001 series champion Zach Chappell who will back in the family owned 50z. Chappell is the youngest driver to ever win the Lucas Oil ASCS National Championship.

Rookies – The 2012 season will a pair of drivers vying for the Brodix Rookie of the Year honors. Three time Poweri Midget Series and 2011 Speedway Motors ASCS Warrior Region Champion Brad Loyet will be behind the wheel in the Vacuworx International 05. Loyet will have plenty of competition as Logan Forler will also be on the road in the well-known Harley Van Dyke Motorsports/Lucas Oil 5h.

The Series:

Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters

When:

March 2-3, 2012 – Canyon Speedway Park – Peoria, Arizona

March 9-10, 2012 – Cocopah Speedway – Yuma, Arizona

Directions:

From Canyonspeedwaypark.com – Canyon Speedway Park is located in North Peoria off Lake Pleasant Parkway, then 1.3 miles West on Carefree Highway. For more information please, contact the track at 602-258-RACE(7223) or additional information regarding Canyon Speedway Park can be found at www.canyonspeedwaypark.com

From Cocopahspeedway.com – The Cocopah Speedway is located at the intersection of Highway 95 and County 15th Street in Somerton, Ariz. Directly across from the Cocopah Resort and Conference Center, Cocopah Wild River Family Entertainment Center. Additional information can be found by calling 928-344-1563 or by logging onto www.cocopahspeedway.com.

Final 2011 Points:

Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series: 1. Shane Stewart (Bixby OK) 3,219, 2. Johnny Herrera (Albuquerque, NM) 3,218, 3. Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK) 3,055, 4. Jeff Swindell (Bartlett TN) 3,026, 5. Gary Wright (Hooks, TX) 2,929, 6. Tim Crawley (Benton, AR) 2,909, 7. Jason Johnson (Eunice, LA) 2,879, 8. Tony Bruce Jr. (Owasso, OK) 2,683, 9. Seth Bergman (Snohomish, WA) 2,624, 10. Aaron Reutzel (Clute, TX) 2,600, 11. Zach Chappell (Talala, OK ) 2,435, 12. Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK) 2,108, 13. Jack Dover (Springfield, NE) 1,866, 14. Dustin Morgan (Tulsa, OK) 1,639, 15. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (Sunnyvale, TX) 1,558, 16. Matt Covington (Glenpool, OK) 1,475, 17. Danny Wood (Norman, OK) 1,456, 18. Logan Forler (Lake Havasu City, Az) 1,423, 19. Brian Brown (Grain Valley, MO) 1,418, 20. Mason Moore (Princeton, CA) 1,410.

2011 Event Winners:

Wayne Johnson (5), Jason Johnson (5), Johnny Herrera (4), Shane Stewart (3), Sammy Swindell (3), Jeff Swindell (2), Tim Crawley (2), Danny Lasoski (2), Brady Bacon (1), Gary Wright (1), Jack Dover (1), Matt Covington (1), Tim Kaeding (1), Brad Sweet (1), Donny Schatz (1)

Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters – A Look Ahead:

March 23-24 Devil’s Bowl Speedway (Mesquite, TX) – 39th Annual Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals

April 13 Golden Triangle Raceway Park (Beaumont, TX)

April 14 Battleground Speedway (Highlands, TX)

April 27 Salina Highbanks (Salina, OK)

April 28 Riverside International Speedway (West Memphis, AR) – Rock ‘N Roll 50

Lucas Oil ASCS on the Web:

All Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series national events are broadcast live on www.racinboys.com for anyone who is unable to attend the races live.

Official results, points, and race notes are posted at www.ascsracing.com.

Lucas Oil ASCS on TV:

A full schedule of tape-delayed races for the 2012 season is pending.

The Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters is scheduled to compete 64 times in 16 states throughout the United States with divers competing for their share of a $250,000 points fund.

The 2012 season marks the 21st year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, which brings the best of Sprint Car racing to dozens of different tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

Four-time AMSOIL USAC/CRA Champion Mike Spencer of Temecula, Calif. opens his attempt at a fifth consecutive series championship this Saturday night when Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway presents the Annual “Sokola Shootout.”

The race honors California’s Sokola family and their contributions to the sport of Sprint racing. Gary Sokola, who passed away in 2001, is among 2012 inductees into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa. As USAC’s National Sprint Car Series Supervisor and Assistant Competition Director during a span of 10 years, Gary exhibited leadership and dedication in maintaining one of the planet’s most spectacular forms of motorsports.

Spencer is the defending race champion and won four of the first five Perris races contested last year. He has 24 career USAC/CRA wins at the Perris oval.

Spencer has an opportunity to make USAC history this year. NO driver has ever strung together five consecutive championships in a single racing series.

The first six “Sokola Shootouts” occurred at the now defunct Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz., won by Tony Jones (2001), Jeremy Sherman (2002-2003), Cory Kruseman (2004) and Mike Kirby (2005-2006). The race moved to Perris in 2009 and Rickie Gaunt was the winner. Damion Gardner won the 2010 running and Spencer was the winner last year.

Five of the “top-10’ in last year’s USAC/CRA Sprint standings were unable to find victory lane in 2011. Hoping to end that streak Saturday will be Cody and Rip Williams, Danny Sheridan and Rickie Gaunt, while Casey Shuman replaces Greg Bragg for Saturday’s opener.

The PAS Senior Sprints and California Lightning Sprints share the card Saturday night.

“We are very optimistic that 2012 is going to be a very good year,” promoter Don Kazarian says. “Several young drivers are jumping into the series and USAC made sure there are no conflicts between the CRA and West Coast 360 Series as there have been in the past. The amount of teams we have seen on the track at practice has been a very pleasant surprise.”

Good news for the teams competing at The PAS is the increase in the purse for 2012. The purse will return to what it was a few years ago and the winner will again get $2,500.00 (as opposed to $2,000.00 the past few seasons) and it will pay a minimum of $300.00 to start the main (as opposed to $150.00).

2011 AMSOIL USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR POINT STANDINGS

1-Mike Spencer-1,253; 2-Nic Faas-1,178; 3-Matt Mitchell-1,073; 4-Austin Williams-741; 5-Greg Bragg-651; 6-Cody Williams-646; 7-Danny Sheridan-614; 8-Rip Williams-588; 9-Rickie Gaunt-520; 10-Damion Gardner-507.

Troy DeCaire Wins at New Smyrna Monday Night - TWC Photos

Heat 1
1. Jason Cox, 2. Collin Cabre, 3. Larry Brazil, 4. Mickey Kempgens, 5. Wendy Mathis, 6. Rex Hollinger, 7. Morgan Turpen, 8. John Gilbert, 9. Dean Bartholomew, 10. Matt Hall.

Heat 2
1. Shane Butler, 2. Troy DeCaire, 3. Brian Gingras, 4. Mike Miller, 5. Jimmy Alvis, 6. John Gilbertson, 7. Terry Gray, 8. Skip Bradford, 9. Bobby Gordon.

A Main
1. Troy DeCaire, 2. Mickey Kempgens, 3. Jason Cox, 4. John Gilbert, 5. Shane Butler, 6. Michael Miller, 7. Johnny Gilbertson, 8. Brian Gingras, 9. Terry Gray, 10. Stan Butler, 11. Rex Hollinger, 12. Jimmy Alvis, 13. Larry Brazil, 14. Wendy Mathis, 15. Morgan Turpen, 16. Collin Cabre, 17. Skip Bradford, 18. Bobby Gordon.

Special events are in the works for 34 Raceway (April 14th, & August 18th), The Lee County Speedway (June 21st & Sept 29th), Cedar County Speedway (July 12th), and Davenport Speedway (Sept 7th) in Iowa, as well as Peoria Speedway (June 1st), Knox County Speedway (August 1st),and Jacksonville Speedway (June 22nd), in Illinois. Additional events are still pending; diligent efforts are ongoing to finalize those details.

This will be the 11th season of white knuckle, hold on to your seat racing action featuring some of the most talented sprint car drivers in the nation. According to SIA President Bart Schneiderman, “We are working to finish up our schedule as soon as possible, button up our contingency program in the next few weeks. Our fans can expect that each event on our schedule will be a fan focused night of entertainment.”

The SIA website is still being redeveloped for a fresh new look to better provide information to our teams and fans. Be sure to check it often to see the latest news and developments. The 2012 Membership form is available online, as well as a Driver Bio form to be added soon. Advertising opportunities are still available both on the web, in print, social media and for events. Deadlines are approaching for our yearbook, “don’t be left in the dust”, contact us soon!

Further information is available at our website at www.sprintinvaders.com, email sprintinvaders@yahoo.com, call the SIA Office at 319-753-0466 or contact a member of the Board. You can also follow Sprint Invaders on Facebook and Twitter.

The five-day event got underway on Wednesday under the All-Star Ciruit of Champions banner, and Darrah timed his Schroth Racing/Team ASE/Curb Records backed entry in with the 13th quickest lap of the 40 cars entered.

Heat race action saw a locked down Volusia Speedway Park produce single file races, and Darrah scored a 4th place finish, transferring him into the feature, starting from the seventh spot.

In the feature, Darrah and his Kasey Kahne Racing/Factory Kahne Shocks/Speedway Engines powered No.4 searched the ½ mile facility, but ultimately fell to the 11th spot at the stripe.

Thursday festivities were also under the All Star banner, and Darrah got off to a quick start as he stopped the clocks with the sixth fastest lap amongst the star-studded field.

Darrah continued to show speed in his heat, as he used an aggressive move in the first corner of the first lap, the climb to the second spot, where he chased Tim Shaffer across the line, and also transferred to the Dash.

Sharing the front row with Daryn Pittman, Darrah followed Pittman into the first pair of corners, and stayed close with the veteran driver, however finished second, but would ultimately start on the front row of the feature.

On the initial start of the feature, Darrah would move to the top side of the track looking for traction, and fell back to third.

As the race clicked off laps, Darrah fell to fourth, were the fourth through seventh place cars were in a heated battle.

At the stripe, Darrah lost the sixth spot to his KKR teammate, Joey Saldana, and finished in the seventh spot.

Friday night’s scheduled World of Outlaw opener was rained out and rescheduled as part of a day-night Sunday double-header.

The Saturday portion went off with beautiful Florida weather, and Darrah timed his Kasey Kahne backed entry in with the fourth fastest lap of the day.
Lining up in the second row of his heat race, the Red Lion, PA native would maintain his starting spot at the finish, and transfer into the first World of Outlaws feature of the season.

Gridding the field from the 12th spot, Darrah would maintain his position through the duration of the feature, and cross the stripe in the 10th spot.

Sunday proved to be a wild afternoon as track conditions caused slow lap times, rubbered down track conditions, and shortened features.

Darrah kicked the busy Sunday off well as he timed the Roth Motorsports/Sage Fruit backed entry in with a third quick effort.

As laps continued to get turned on the Volusia Speedway under the Florida sun, the track began taking rubber early, and as drivers fought for the rubber, Darrah scored a fourth place run in his heat again transferring to the feature.

Starting mid-pack, Darrah was collected in an early race mess, that forced him pit side for repairs, and put him at the rear of the field for the shortened 20-lap feature.

Saving his tires, and biding his time, Darrah was able to work his way forward as others had tire issues, and scored a 16th place finish with one final “night” of events remaining.

Later Sunday night, the youngster timed in 21st quickest on the worn out race track.

Starting behind the inversion in his heat, Darrah was able to make quick work, and move up to the third spot in his heat, and transfer to his fifth feature in as many attempts at the DIRTCar Nationals.

With his qualifying effort, Darrah found himself deep in what was another shortened feature due to track conditions, and tire-ware concerns.

Starting 19th, Darrah was unable to do much in the feature, as he closed out his the event with an 18th place finish.

“It was a wild week that saw a little bit of everything,” Darrah explained. “My guys did what they could with all the tricky tracks we saw. I can’t thank them and all of our sponsors enough for supporting me. Five races in five nights is tough on everyone and I’m looking forward to getting back in action in Vegas.”

ON TAP- Cody Darrah and his Kasey Kahne Racing team will now head west for the entire month of March, as they are next in action March 8th 2012 at the Dirt Track at Las Vegas.

STAY CONNECTED- Check in to www.codydarrah.com or visit his facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cody-Darrah/164513250262145?ref=ts for the latest news on Cody.

Heat 2
1. Johny Gilbert, 2. Jimmy Alvis, 3. Johnny Gilbertson, 4. Shane Butler, 5. Dean Bartholomew, 6. Bobby Gordon, 7. Francis Crowder.

Heat 3
1. Brian Gingras, 2. Troy DeCaire, 3. Jim Alvis, 4. Dude Teate, 5. Bobby Rose, 6. Stan Butler.

A Main
1. Mickey Kempgens, 2. Brian Gingras, 3. Johnny Gilbertson, 4. Michael Miller, 5. Troy DeCaire, 6. Collin Cabre, 7. John Gilbert Jr., 8. Larry Brazil, 9. Bobby Gordon, 10. Rex Hollinger, 11. Dean Bartholomew, 12. Jason Cox, 13. Stan Butler, 14. Jimmy Alvis Jr., 15. Wendy Mathis, 16. Shane Butler, 17. Francis Crowder, 18. Skip Bradford.

Henderson, of Speedway, Ind. and Minersville, Pa., also said the team’s primary sponsor last year, Montrose Molders, will be an associate sponsor this season.

Mark Millwright & Rigging serves the Eastern Seaboard from Florida to Maine with quality industrial contracting, steel fabrications, welding, equipment maintenance, rigging, process piping, industrial electrical installation and custom machining.

Additional marketing partners for the Minersville, Pa.-based team in 2012 will be Char-Pac Coal and Henderson’s personal sponsors: ButlerBuilt seats, Hinchman uniforms and Bell helmets. The team uses Ti22 Performance chassis and HP-prepared 410-c.i. Chevy engines.

“We were concerned when Montrose Molders told us they couldn’t do as much with us in 2012 as they did in 2011,” Henderson said. “Luckily Mark Painter of Mark Millwright and Rigging was able to step up and become the primary sponsor this year. He’s a big race fan and like Montrose Molders, he sees the value of advertising in motorsports.”

Henderson said the team plans to enter more than 60 races this year. Most will be in Pennsylvania. His schedule also includes at least 10 World of Outlaws races in Iowa; his home state of South Dakota; North Dakota and Minnesota.

“The Knoxville Nationals is our biggest event of the year,” he added. “We gear up for that in early July, right after Speedweek.”

The 2012 Pennsylvania Speedweek Sprint Series will be held June 30 through July 8. It consists of events at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa.; Big Diamond Speedway in Pottsville, Pa.; Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa.; Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, Md.; Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pa. and Selinsgrove Speedway in Selinsgrove, Pa.

The 52nd annual Goodyear Knoxville Nationals will be held at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa Aug. 8-11.

Henderson had four victories on the tough Central Pennsylvania sprint car circuit last year: two at Port Royal Speedway and two at Williams Grove Speedway. The team posted 20 top-five feature finishes and 40 top-10s.

“Jim Shriner returns as our crew chief,” Henderson added. “In addition to Charlie and Dawn, Frank Muscara and Robby Walker will be the primary crew members, with some other part-time helpers joining us as their schedules permit.

“We’re really excited to announce this partnership with Mark Millwright & Rigging,” he emphasized. “We hope to be even stronger this year than we were last year.

“My personal goal is to make this team the best I can make it,” Henderson added. “Every year we can get better with the equipment that we have. We’ll have three cars throughout the season and five engines, but we’re one of the low-budget teams. We don’t have what the big guys have. We have a budget and we have to stick to do, whereas some other teams don’t. But we can still compete against them and do well.”

Sorokach Motorsports does not focus on winning an individual track championship, but it still finished seventh overall in the Central Pennsylvania sprint car point standings in 2011. It had the sixth-most feature victories in Pennsylvania.

“We had a good year last year,” Henderson added. “I should have made the A main at the Knoxville Nationals; when that tire started going down right away in the B main it was a heart-breaker, but we did finish fourth in the National Open at Williams Grove. I feel we’re getting stronger all the time, and I’m really looking forward to this season.”

The team does not plan on competing at Lincoln Speedway’s opener on Feb. 25 but has chosen to start its season March 17 at Port Royal instead. Williams Grove Speedway’s season opener is the following weekend, March 23.

For more information see JustinHenderson.com or the Justin Henderson Fan Page on Facebook.