DENAIR, California — – 18 year-old Bobby Runyan, Jr. returned to the site of his first career USAC Ford Focus Midget victory back in 2010, driving the #21 K&N Filters NASCAR Modified to a trophy dash win and fifth place finish at Stockton 99 Speedway. The races were part of the prestigious Fall Classic at the quarter-mile bullring with 24 Modifieds in the pits for three days of racing.
"We had a great first open show with Bobby."— Crew Chief, Jason Houghtaling
Runyan had an average finish of fourth in six Midget starts at Stockton 99 Speedway in 2010 but this weekend’s races marked his first Modified start at the speedway. The Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle development driver had his first Modified win at All American Speedway in 2011.
Runyan was 12th quickest in qualifying but only two tenths of a second off pole. In the heat race, Runyan drove to an impressive second place finish which locked him into the trophy dash. The 2009 SCCA Formula Ford champion dusted off the field in the four lap trophy dash by leading all four laps.
Sunday’s races included a 60 lap feature for the Modifieds with 23 cars on the grid. Runyan started third but fell back to fourth early on. Runyan successfully held off a pack full of champion drivers for many laps, before finally surrendering the fourth spot on lap 23.
Runyan briefly fell back to sixth but he fought back passing veteran Rich Lindgren on the outside to take fifth place back. Runyan defended Lindgren to the finish line in a strong performance.
“We had a great first open show with Bobby,” Crew Chief Jason Houghtaling said. “I want to thank the team for all their hard work. Roseville here we come!”
Bobby Runyan, Jr. will continue his busy season returning to All American Speedway on Friday night for a special event for the Modifieds. The Modifieds will be racing as a prelude to Saturday night’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West event.
“Bobby has done a great job against the veterans all year long,” Driver Coach Ron Sutton said. “He is going to be up on the wheel this Friday night as he comes back to his home track!”
The 2012 season plans for Bobby Runyan, Jr. are to be determined with more details to be announced at www.bobbyrunyan.com
Bobby Runyan, Jr. and Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle thank partners: K&N Filters, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Raging Bull Motorsports, Brown’s Shop Support, Scribner Plastics, Allstar Performance, Sunoco Race Fuels and Star Racing Supply.
For more information on Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle, log on to www.winners-circle-racing.com
About Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle:
Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle is an established talent scout and development program, providing long term, comprehensive racing and career development for up and coming drivers focused on professional Stock Car careers. RSWC drivers are raced, coached, groomed, trained and molded, within a professional racing environment, into what top teams look for when hiring drivers. Drivers involved in the program race in a variety of cars, including USAC Young Guns Focus Midgets, USAC Ford Focus Midgets, NASCAR Grand American Modifieds, NASCAR Late Model stock cars and NASCAR K&N Pro Series stock cars.
