Wikipedia

Sunrise Ford Racing

Sunrise Ford Racing (SFR),sometimes referred to asBob Bruncati Racing[1]is an American professionalstock car racingteam that last competed full-time in theARCA Menards Series West.It was a Sunrise Ford dealership network subsidiary based inNorth HollywoodandFontana,California. The team last fielded the No. 6Ford FusionforJake Drewand the No. 9 Ford forTanner Reifin 2022.

Sunrise Ford Racing
Owner(s)Bob Bruncati
BaseFontana, California
SeriesARCA Menards Series West
Race drivers6.Jake Drew
9.Tanner Reif
SponsorsSunrise Ford
ManufacturerFord
Opened2000
Career
DebutARCA Menards Series West:
2006
Drivers' Championships2009,2013,2018,2022

History

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The team was formed by Bob Bruncati in 2000 to allow his sons to race at theIrwindale Event Center.[2]On November 4, 2022, it was announced that SFR would shut down operations following the2022 ARCA West seasonto focus on local short-track racing.[3]

ARCA Menards Series West

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SFR moved to the West Series in 2006 to stay involved in racing and promote Sunrise Ford dealerships on a broader scale.[4]The team won four series championships throughout their time in the series.Jason Bowleswon the title in2009,Derek Thornin2013and2018,andJake Drewin 2022. All four of Sunrise Ford's titles came with their No. 6 car. In2020,the team formed adriver development programwithStewart-Haas Racing.[5]

Car No. 6 history

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Derek Thorndrove the No. 6 car to two championships in 2013 and 2018. Here, he is seen driving atSonomain 2018.

Originally operating as car No. 22,Jason Bowlesdrove for SFR's first three full-time seasons, winning Rookie of the Year in 2007 and the series championship in 2009.[6]Luis Martinez Jr.drove the entry in 2010, earning Rookie of the Year honors.[6]He returned to the seat in 2011.[7]

Derek Thorndrove Sunrise's main No. 6 in 2012 and 2013, winning the drivers' championship in his second year.[8]James Bickfordreplaced Thorn for the following season winning races at Stateline Speedway in 2014 and 2015.[9]Cole Rousethen drove the No. 6 in 2016.[10]He was then replaced byJulia Landauerin 2017.[11]

Thorn returned to Sunrise's No. 6 in 2018 and won Sunrise's third championship.[12]Jagger Jonesdrove the No. 6 for 2019, winning one race and earning Rookie of the Year honors.[13]Trevor Huddlestontook over the No. 6 entry in 2020, and returned in 2021.[14]In 2022,Jake Drewreturned to the ride and won the championship.

Car No. 9 history

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Trevor Huddlestondrove the car full-time in 2019. Here, he is seen driving at Sonoma that year.

In his lone West Series season,Austin Dynewon Rookie of the Year driving the No. 9 car in 2012.[6]Dylan Luptondrove the No. 9 for 2013 and 2014. He won two races, the first atEvergreen Speedwayin 2013 andKern Countyin 2014. Lupton also claimed West Series Rookie of the Year in 2013.[6]Ryan Partridgedrove the No. 9 for the next two years, notching four wins. For 2017, the No. 9 was a full-time team;Zane Smithdrove the opening race, and after an offer from team owner Bob Bruncati,Michael Selfdrove the car in the rest of the events.[15]Partridge, returning to the seat, finished second in the 2018 point standings behind teammateDerek Thorn.[12]Trevor Huddleston then replaced him, driving the No. 9 for 2019.Clinton Cramserved as crew chief in 2019.[16]Blaine Perkinsdrove the car in 2020.[14]Jake Drew joined the team in 2021, losing the title to Jesse Love in a tiebreaker.Tanner Reiftook over the car in 2022, making Drew switch to the 6.

Car No. 22 history

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Trevor Huddlestondrove the car full-time in 2018. Here, he is seen driving at Sonoma that year.

2016 was the first year the team's third entry raced.Trevor Huddlestonand James Bruncati each ran one race in the car.[17]In 2017, the car was also used as an occasional entry, this time for Thorn.[18]For 2018, Huddleston returned to the No. 22 for an entire season.[19]

After ARCA Menards Series

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2022 was the last season for the Sunrise Ford Racing team as Bob Bruncati retired the following year. The following year he started running jr. spec late models atIrwindale Speedwaywhich he co-owned. He still has a "racing team"consisting of teaching kids how to drive racecars with professionalspottersand crews.

References

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  1. ^Souza, Kyle (25 September 2018)."Pit Box: Bob Bruncati Racing Drivers Lead K&N Pro West To Meridian".NASCAR Home Tracks.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.Retrieved10 March2019.
  2. ^Page, Scott (12 January 2019)."Jeff Gordon, Mike Bliss, Rick Mears among 12 finalists for West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame's 2019 Class".Jayski's Silly Season Site.ESPN Internet Ventures.Retrieved10 March2019.
  3. ^Schuoler, Justin (4 November 2022)."Bob Bruncati & Sunrise Ford Racing Closes ARCA West Chapter as Champions".Kickin' the Tires.Retrieved16 November2022.
  4. ^Kurylko, Diana T. (22 May 2017)."For dealer Bruncati, winning doesn't come cheap".Automotive News.Retrieved8 September2020.
  5. ^"Sunrise Ford Names Their Drivers for 2020 ARCA West Season".Speed51.29 January 2020.Retrieved29 January2020.
  6. ^abcd"Bruncati Racing".Jeff Andretti Motorsports.Retrieved8 September2020.
  7. ^"Car number 6 in the 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season".Racing Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.Retrieved8 September2020.
  8. ^Broussal, Jeanie (9 November 2013)."Lakeport driver Thorn snags K&N Pro Series West title".Napa Valley Register.Retrieved8 September2020.
  9. ^Broussal, Jeanie (15 July 2015)."Napa's Bickford wins again at Stateline".Napa Valley Register.Retrieved8 September2020.
  10. ^"Cole Rouse Joins Sunrise Ford Racing in 2016".Speedway Digest.Spire Sports + Entertainment. 15 February 2016.Retrieved8 September2020.
  11. ^"Julia Landauer Joins Sunrise Ford Racing".Speed Sport.5 January 2017.Retrieved8 September2020.
  12. ^abSouza, Kyle (28 October 2018)."Derek Thorn Marches To Second K&N Pro West Championship".NASCAR Home Tracks.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.Retrieved8 September2020.
  13. ^Bonkowski, Jerry (13 November 2019)."Jagger Jones earns K&N West Rookie of the Year honors".NASCAR on NBC.NBC Sports.Retrieved8 September2020.
  14. ^abSeelman, Jacob (30 January 2020)."Huddleston & Perkins Confirmed At Sunrise Ford".Speed Sport.Retrieved8 September2020.
  15. ^"Michael Self Makes Most of Opportunity for Sunrise Ford Team in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West".K&N Filters.22 August 2017.Retrieved8 September2020.
  16. ^Segal, Davey (6 September 2019)."Behind Sam Hunt's resilient NASCAR journey to stay on track".Autoweek.Retrieved11 May2020.
  17. ^"Car number 22 in the 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season".Racing Reference.Retrieved8 September2020.
  18. ^"Car number 22 in the 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season".Racing Reference.Retrieved8 September2020.
  19. ^Segal, Davey (8 August 2018)."Trevor Huddleston Looking to Gain Experience, Learn From Teammates".NASCAR Home Tracks.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.Retrieved8 September2020.
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