Nick Fillman/USAC ECSCS
Bruce Buckwalter Jr will take his talents behind the wheel on tour with the Rapid Tire, USAC East Coast Sprint Car Series for the 2020 campaign up and down the East Coast.
Buckwalter, a former regular with the ARDC midget series posted 9 wins behind the wheel the powerful non-winged midgets during some of the series most competitive years. More recently, with a move to Mechanicsburg the Buckwalter team made the move to the super sportsman ranks at the BAPS Motor Speedway over the last fours seasons. The team was able to garner multiple top 5’s and top 10’s, and were inside the top 10 in points before selling out with a handful of events left on the 2019 season.
When asked about why the team decided to switch to USAC East Coast in 2020, Buckwalter chalked it up to a number of different reasons. Among the top priorities were spending more time with his young family. Buckwalter is a father to a young daughter and the grind of weekly competition, began to be a bit much for the family owned and operated team.
Speaking of family, I was able to ask Bruce about what its like coming from a family with such a rich racing background: “Oh there’s definitely added pressure because of my cousins Tim, and Steve” Buckwalter expressed, “But I’m used to it” he added.
Bruce explained that he’s looking forward to the opportunity to race with his cousins whether it be in the USAC wingless division, or in any of the number of different classes that his cousins compete in. One event that will for sure have that feeling for the family, is when the USAC East Coast Series makes their inaugural visit to the Selinsgrove Speedway along side the USAC Silver Crown Series, where cousin Steve is a regular competitor. Bruce also hopes that perhaps all three of the Buckwalter cousins can compete on the same night of action like they used to in the ARDC midget days.
When I spoke with Bruce about what he is excited about for the upcoming season, he mentioned that he’s most excited to travel to more new tracks and meet new fans. He is glad to see double race weekends on the schedule in 2020, and most importantly off weekends to spend time with his wife and growing daughter.
The Buckwalter team was initially looking into utilizing Maxim Chassis for the upcoming tour, but after some conversations with shock supplier Scott Benic, they decided to go with a DRC Chassis. The predominant chassis choice among many of the top drivers on the USAC National Sprint Car Series. The team also has a freshened Doug Meyers bullet under the hood that they purchased from Chandler Leiby.
Bruce Buckwalter would like to thank his dad Bruce Sr. for everything he’s done in his racing career and for allowing the team to make this move in 2020. He would also like to thank his mom, and his in-laws for their help and sacrifices. Most of all he would like to thank his wife for everything she has done and for allowing him to race and support him in is his endeavors. Finally long time friend and crewmen Tristian Gilliland-Kunkle, Fastener Specialties, and BDB Construction for their continued support.
Keep up with Bruce and his team as they tour with the series on Facebook by giving their page a like at: Bruce Buckwalter Racing.