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RUNYAN PICKS UP TROPHY DASH WIN IN NASCAR MODIFIEDS

SACRAMENTO, CA (July 6, 2011) – Denair’s Bobby Runyan Jr. had his best showing of the season in his #21 K&N Filters / Morgan Stanley Modified in Saturday night’s NASCAR Modified races at Roseville's All American Speedway. The rookie driver picked up his first career trophy dash victory and brought home a top-ten run in the feature. 

The Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle development driver struggled with a loose corner entry during the first two practice sessions of the afternoon. Runyan’s car was persistently loose and only seemed to get worse as the practices went on.  His team decided to make a front spring change, and in doing so, found the problem: a collapsed spring that was in the car had seen better days and failed.  This raised the spirits of the entire pit, but now the team wasn't sure exactly what they had for qualifying since they had done a ton of changes to band aid over the unknown failed front spring.

Runyan Jr. qualified a disappointing 11th, but felt that the car was much better and the team would be able to tune on it throughout the heat races to get him ready for the Main Event.  Just like last race, Runyan Jr. was able to make big improvements in the Heat Race.  After getting stuck behind a slower car, Bobby was able to show his patience and talent to drive up to a 2nd place finish.  This would then land him in the Trophy Dash.  Starting in the Pole position,  for the 4 lap dash, Runyan Jr. was able to get a good clean start, break away from the field, and then protect his position in the final turn to earn his first ever NASCAR trophy dash win.

Starting 11th in the 18 car field, the team had made a few more minor changes to keep the #21 Raging Bull Motorsports Modified charging hard for the long run.  In just the first 9 laps, Runyan Jr. was able to pass 4 cars and moved up to the 7th position.  But still showing that he is a true rookie, the young driver entered turn 3 a little hot, broke a tick too much, and washed up the speedway.  This allowed two hard fought positions to go by.  This also over heated his tires and made the car very loose.  But with his never say die attitude, the young pilot got back those two spots plus one more by lap 26.  Bobby was looking at his first top 5 in just his 5th outing, when the yellow flag flew.  Now running 6th, with double file restarts, put Jr. on the outside row, never a good thing in short track racing with just a handful of laps to go.  Getting caught on the outside, and most of his stuff used up, Bobby was able to finish 7th, for his best finish of the 2011 season.

Runyan Jr. was able to learn a tremendous amount once again.  “These race weekends are marathons.  My team and I never gave up, and it showed in our results tonight!” Runyan said. “Last week a heat race win, this week, my first NASCAR trophy, next week maybe my first top-five."

Bobby Runyan, Jr. would like to thank the representatives from Morgan Stanley that came to the race as well as his other sponsors at K&N Filters, Raging Bull Motorsports, Brown's Shop Support and Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle. Runyan also thanks his family and friends that made the trek to Roseville as well as followed all the action at Bobbyrunyan.com/live.