Russ Dugger News
Dugger Makes Strong Showing In 28th Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout Presented By Vacuworx Global
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Russ Dugger earned a spot in the B-Finals with his "A" Class Heat race performance, but early pileup in the final ended his strong run.
PRLog (Press Release) - Dec. 31, 2012 - At a race event with almost 1,000 entrants, like the 2012 Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout Presented by Vacuworx Global, drivers and teams spend a lot of time waiting to hit the track. It also means the time you do finally get on the track, in front of dedicated fans and talented drivers of all ages, is far more special.
Owasso, Oklahoma-based NASCAR driver Russ Dugger got more time on the track than many. Entered in two classes, Dugger ran heat races in both the "A" class and Non-winged 600cc sprint car classes. His heat race performance in the winged "A" Class #24x Reset Restoration Services car earned him a valuable spot in the B Finals, bypassing both the last-chance qualifiers and C Finals and placing him in the top half of the massive field.
However, his luck ran out early in the final, effectively ending a strong run in his first Tulsa Shootout appearance.
"Our winged B Feature race was doomed from turn one, right after the green," said Dugger. "We started 12th of 14 cars. When the green dropped, the outside line stacked up in-front of me and I creamed the rear of the car in my path. The steering wheel was knocked out of my hands and I instantly knew I'd injured my right thumb."
Despite the jarring first few seconds of the race, Dugger soldiered on. "I did NOT pull off the track - the car was fine so off I went," he said. While he did eventually manage to run down the pack ahead of him, the laps click by rapidly under green and no time remained for him to advance further.
Considering that Dugger has not competed on dirt nor been in a sprint car since the 2009 Pete Frazier Memorial event at Port City Raceway, in a non-wing car, making it all the way to the B Final in the winged class his first time out was an impressive accomplishment.
"Our weekend over all was a good one, in that we took care of our equipment, had a blast representing Reset Restoration and hosting Ryan Lefter and Aaron Talton. I really can't thank them enough for coming on board and making this race happen," said Dugger.
"I also have to thank Rob and Bill Donnelly with D2 Motorsports for all of their help and advice throughout the weekend. It was invaluable and made my dealing with my inexperience in these cars a lot easier," he said.
In all, Dugger and the owners of Reset Restoration had a great time competing at this premier event in front of passionate race fans among some of the most talented circle track drivers in the country. His modest success in the 2012 edition of the Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout has built confidence, and a desire to do it all again.
"The weekend was one I'll never forget, and now I can say that I've run with the best in the country at The Tulsa Shootout! Hopefully I can continue to run this race for years to come," said Dugger.
Dugger to Race on the Dirt in 28th Running of Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout
Long-time goal to compete with dirt track stars in sprint cars at this premier event finally comes to reality for Oklahoma's only NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver
PRLog (Press Release) - Dec. 21, 2012 - Russ Dugger is proud to announce his debut appearance at the Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout taking place December 28th through 30th, in the Reset Restoration Services #24 Intruder provided by D2 Motorsports.
This premier dirt racing event, with over 700 entries and drivers from 23 states on the 2012 roster, has been well atop Dugger's list of goals for quite some time. The dream became reality with the help of Ryan Lefler and Aaron Talton, owners of Reset Restoration Services of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
"I am extremely excited about finally getting to be part of the Tulsa Shootout," said Dugger. "This is a bucket-list item for me, and it's great to be able to help a growing Tulsa company like Reset Restoration get the exposure they deserve by doing something I've always wanted to do."
Reset Restoration Services are commercial fire and water mitigation experts, but have branched out to commercial build-outs in addition to offering residential services such as disaster restoration, remodeling, and additions.
Racing on dirt is a bit of a departure for most NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers. Dugger, who raced to the checkered flag at Bristol earlier this season in the NASCAR Trucks, sees the Shootout as important practice for next year. With NASCAR having recently announced a July 24th, 2013 race date for the Camping World Truck Series at Tony Stewart's famed Eldora speedway, dirt experience gained at the Shootout could give Dugger a leg up on the competition.
Lefler and Talton's company have been involved with the Tulsa dirt racing scene as sponsors of other micro teams. "Aaron and I just like the idea of being involved with a racing team. It is fun to us," said Lefler, who himself is also closely acquainted with racing horsepower of the organic variety.
"I have been involved in thoroughbred racing for many years and have several horses that are running currently," he said.
Reset Restoration is using their partnership with Russ Dugger to highlight their new disaster planning service for commercial properties. "We help businesses plan and prepare for any kind of disaster that could affect their daily operations," said Lefler. "We lay out the important decisions that need to be made in a crisis, and help businesses to make them before the loss occurs."
Lefler and Talton are also looking to have some fun as sponsor of the #24 car, which is a virtual certainty at an event as massive as the Tulsa Shootout.
Dugger is slated to compete in both the "A" Class Winged and "A" Class Non-Winged brackets. While this will not be Dugger's first experience on a dirt oval, it will mark his first ever Tulsa Shootout - and hopefully start a December tradition to last for years to come.
Practice for the 28th Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout begins on Friday, December 28th with heat races taking place Saturday, December 29th. The Feature races are scheduled to begin at 6:00pm on Sunday, December 30th. Last year's event saw over 190 individual races conducted with nearly 800 entrants, and this year's is certain to be jam packed with wall-to-wall action as well.
You may visit Reset Restoration online at the following addresses:
Web: http://www.resetrestoration.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/resetrestoration
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/restorationmen
Dugger's Return to Texas Motor Speedway Comes to an Early End
A broken part in the rear end sent the Vacuworx Global / JPO Absorbents truck to the garage after 37 laps, but the team looks forward to big things in 2013.
The hopes of Russ Dugger and his fans for a strong showing in his return to Texas were dashed early at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series WinStar World Casino 350.
After starting 35th, Dugger in the #84 truck carrying the colors of proud organizations with ties to Oklahoma made its way up to 29th despite sensing a problem developing almost right away.
His Vacuworx Global / JPO Absorbents truck’s handling was drivable but on the tight side early on, as expected with a limited practice schedule. The strategy was to get a feel for what he had and make adjustments at the first caution to improve where needed.
However, the truck started snapping loose at the tail end in unusual ways for a Camping World truck – the center of turn three, off of turn four, and the center of turns one and two.
As the opening green flag run continued, the condition worsened to the point it could not be ignored. Back to the garage it went, where the team determined the locking rear gear assembly had broken.
“It was extremely unfortunate, and I was completely dejected,” said Dugger. “This was our last race for 2012, and I didn’t want to go out that way, especially with all those guests at the track.”
As they say, that is racing. While the season-ending event for Russ Dugger Racing could have been better, the team has shown glimmers of hope and the prospects for 2013 continue to get brighter each day.
Looking back on the season, Dugger said “I've got to thank Vacuworx Global for all they've done for not only this event, but all season long. JPO Absorbents for their dedication to me and to this sport. C&T Trucking Enterprises for coming on board for this event, it was an extreme pleasure to be sporting their logo and enthusiasm and I look forward to working with them more in the future. Bryan Hayes, with Hayes Custom Homes was at this event as well, and again…it means a lot to have all these OK companies and affiliates on board with this race team!
“Being able to carry The Little Lighthouse with me this year and work with the children has been a true inspiration. I hope to carry on that relationship and keep them with me as my career progresses,” he said.
In the mean time, Dugger encourages everyone to patronize the companies who have helped him reach higher steps on the NASCAR ladder in 2012:
•Vacuworx Global – www.vacuworx.com
•JPO Absorbents – www.jpoabsorbents.com
•Hayes Custom Homes – www.hayescustomhomes.com
•The Little Light House – www.littlelighthouse.org
Russ Dugger to Represent Tulsa Charity
The Little Light House in NASCAR
Organization focused on helping special-needs children will get it's first exposure to the generous NASCAR demographic with Dugger for his six-race NCWTS Schedule.
Earlier in April as Russ Dugger was preparing for his 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Kansas Speedway, he accepted an offer to tour The Little Light House from their Director of Development Molly Smith. Those who follow Russ Dugger know that working with charities and giving back are two of his top priorities, and being able to represent a local charity for his 2012 NASCAR schedule would be a tremendous privilege. The following were his thoughts after touring the Little Light House facility and becoming their representative in NASCAR.
"Since the beginning of my quest to make it to the top of the NASCAR ladder, I've been committed to make a difference. I've always wanted to leave a bigger footprint. The Little Light House has been on my radar ever since a friend of our family was a student there.
For the first time, I'm in a position to be able to bring The Little Light House to the NASCAR Community and Fans. This is an organization that accepts no Government Funding, and is a Christian based, family first operation. They rely solely on grants and private donations.
My meeting with Molly was so incredible. She took me to each room of the school and let me observe these small children. These "special needs" kids are miracles. I asked her at one point during my tour, "How long did it take you to be able to come to work and not be emotionally overwhelmed?"
What I took away from meeting some of these kids is their courage. It's an environment I've never been in. Shelly and I are blessed with three wonderful, healthy children. These families face daily challenges that most of us cannot even imagine, yet alone relate to.
The strength of the kids, families, and staff was truly inspiring. Their commitment to progress and constant improvement through hard work, diligence, technology and primarily Prayer is inspiring. They are currently developing a curriculum for Sunday Schools around the Nation to adapt, so these Churches and Educational Faith based institutions can accept special needs children.
I'm sincerely looking forward to participating in their fund raisers and getting to know these kids more as the year goes on. I hope that my involvement with The Little Light House Foundation can aid in their financial goals, and exposure for an extremely unique and intangible organization."
Dugger's #12 Chevrolet Silverado will feature The Little Light House logo on its B-Pillar during his 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule. In addition, Dugger will be participating in three of the organization's largest fundraisers - including a golf scramble, which promises to an entertaining new experience for him.
Learn more about how you can help Russ and The Little Light House online,
at www.littlelighthouse.org.
Dugger Adds Vacuworx Global as Secondary Sponsor for 2012 NASCAR Events
Oklahoma-based Vacuworx Global is taking their motorsports marketing program to the next level with Russ Dugger Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS).
Russ Dugger Racing is excited to announce the addition of Vacuworx Global as a secondary sponsor during their 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule. Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Vacuworx Global's innovative products afford the safest, fastest, and smartest way to handle large and bulky items in the field.
The agreement between RDR and Vacuworx Global provides secondary sponsor placement on the #12 JPO Absorbents Chevrolet Silverado at the six races in which Dugger is slated to compete, including Bristol, Talladega, Martinsville, Homestead, Kansas, and Texas Motor Speedway.
Vacuworx Global serve the oil & gas pipeline and construction industries, and their products are designed to let construction machinery do the work and keep workers out of harm's way.
Shawn Lowman is Director of Sales and Marketing at Vacuworx Global, and has grown up in the motorsports world. Lowman's experience comes from virtually every corner of racing, from being a fan to owning a team to race car driving, all around a 20-year career selling aftermarket auto performance and racing products before coming to Vacuworx.
Lowman was also primarily responsible for the involvement of his company at the world-famous Vacuworx International Race of Champions at Tulsa's Chili Bowl Nationals. The success of those efforts combined with his own experiences made it easy for Lowman to recognize the value of a partnership with Russ Dugger Racing.
"Being in NASCAR with Russ gives Vacuworx a national platform to present our products and visibility in an area where the construction industry is increasingly prevalent," said Lowman. "There are tremendous B2B opportunities for us in NASCAR, and the ability to expose customers to an experience that strengthens our relationship with them is something we're eager to take advantage of."
The announcement of Vacuworx Global's decision to come aboard gives Dugger a lot of momentum going into his first race back as a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver. Kansas Speedway and the SFP 250 is right around the corner, and the RDR team has every intention of finishing races at the top of the charts.
"I'm looking forward to our debut race together in Kansas," said Dugger. "For me it's a return to the track I last raced. For Vacuworx Global, it's the beginning of a long partnership that is going to bring them onto the NASCAR stage."
He added, "It's a special feeling to be the driver that gives a company their first NASCAR race. Kansas is going to be a great race weekend...one that we'll all remember for a very, very long time!"
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will run the SFP 250 at Kansas Speedway on April 21st, which will air at 1:30pm on SPEED TV.
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