BOBBY RUNYAN CAPTURES SECOND CONSECUTIVE TROPHY DASH VICTORY
Denair, CA (July 9, 2011)- 18 year-old Bobby Runyan competing for the 2011 NASCAR Rookie of The Year Honors pilots the No. 21 K&N Filters NASCAR Modified at All American Speedway, Roseville, CA. The rookie driver collected his second consecutive trophy dash victory for 2011 and took home first ever top five finish in the main event.
Runyan drives for Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle program a driver development program based in Sacramento, CA.
Runyan who’s been with RSWC for quite some time has built an extensive resume within the program capturing 10 wins, 10 poles and a championship in the Formula Fords, won numerous poles and races in the USAC Ford Focus Midgets division finishing 2nd in the championship points and capturing rookie of the year for the entire western series. This year Runyan fresh in the Modified division has never raced stock cars before and is learning more about the car at every race.
The RSWC crew made a few changes to better the car in the middle of the turns in preparation for qualifying. In qualifying, Runyan posted eighth quickest with a fast time of 14.357 seconds only .168 seconds from pole position. In the eight lap heat race, starting fourth Runyan quickly moved into the second position providing some great side by side racing with fellow competitors. Upon the checkered flag Runyan and two other competitors made a drag race to the finish line three wide, a photo finish would place Bobby’s finish third in front of his RSWC teammate Steve Cote.
This landed him a spot in the trophy dash. Fresh off of last weekend’s Trophy Dash victory Bobby ensured he wanted a second one. Starting third in the lineup for the four lap dash Runyan made his leading pass on the last lap for his second consecutive trophy dash victory.
In the 40 lap main event, Runyan started eighth and began weaving his way up to the second position at the drop of the green flag. Runyan would spin in turn three and had to start at the rear of the 14 car field. Runyan kept his head down and battled to work through the field again. Bobby drove back up to the fourth position looking to run down the leaders but time ran out for the No. 21 machine; Runyan had come away with a top five finish. With that finish Runyan is now eighth in the championship points and the leading rookie. Runyan’s Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle teammate Steve Cote, won the main event.
"Having that unfortunate contact early in the race, probably cost me 3rd or 2nd, and that's all on me. My team gave me a great car, and my spotter did a fantastic job getting me through all the traffic. We are really coming together as a team and I can't wait to get back here next weekend to continue our march for that inevitable first win!" Stated Bobby Runyan.
"Bobby is making a fast transition to these high powered cars. He has been a winner in every type of car we have raced him in ... from Formula Cars to Midgets ... so we expect he will be winning here soon. It’s just exciting to see him run so well this early in the season," stated team owner Ron Sutton.
"Bobby is impressing everyone with how well he is learning these Modifieds and adapting his driving," stated Team Manager and Crew Chief, Jason Houghtaling. "In yesterday's tests, we used the data acquisition to fine tune his braking and now he's running with the front runners."
Bobby Runyan’s next race will be this Saturday, July 16th at All American Speedway, Roseville CA.
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.
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