Mesquite Friday night summary 2008-03-14

Tony Bruce Jr. Wins Opening Night of Spring Nationals

Tony Bruce Jr. won the opening night of the 35th Annual Spring Nationals on Friday night at Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas.

The native of Liberal, Kansas who is in his second full season with the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series led all 20 laps, holding off veteran Gary Wright by just a few car lengths for the win. Bruce started on the pole after winning the fourth heat race, and endured a number of cautions en route to the victory.

For Bruce, it was his first career American Sprint Car Series National Tour A-Feature triumph. By winning, he also locked him into finale of the Spring Nationals at the half-mile on Saturday night.

Jason Sides, the 2003 Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, turned in a very solid performance on Friday night, finishing in the third spot and also locking himself into the finale on Saturday night. The native of Bartlett, Tennessee started seventh and quickly worked his way into the Top-Five. He began the night with a third-place run in the third heat race.

Sam Hafertepe Jr., who is in his second full-season with the World of Outlaws also competed in the event in his home state and finished in the 10th spot. The native of Sunnyvale, Texas finished fourth in a very tough fourth heat race, which put him in the second B-Main, which he won to earn a spot in the A-Feature.

Bruce, Sides and Hafertepe will all compete in the finale of the Spring Nationals at Devil's Bowl Speedway on Saturday night.

-credit: woo