Budds Creek: Bob Bertsch preview

Bertsch emerging as Pro Stock front-runner going into Budds Creek

BUDDS CREEK, Md. - While it hasn't exactly been an overnight transformation, IHRA Torco's CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock driver Bob Bertsch and his Rislone Engine Treatment backed team have been quietly working their way up the ranks this year. Last weekend, Bertsch qualified fifth in Milan, Mich., on his way to a quarterfinal finish. Going into this weekend's Torco Race Fuels President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, Md., Bertsch hopes another strong showing will solidify a top ten spot in points in only his first full year of Pro Stock competition.

Bertsch, from Willis, Mich., cites his gradual rise up the qualifying sheet this year has come from many small changes opposed to big changes.

"We've just been sneaking up on it all year," said Bertsch. "We just change a little here, a little there. We just try to keep moving up. We try to make little changes to the car instead of major ones."

Those small changes paid off with a career-best fifth qualifying position in Milan, along with netting his first 220 mph run.

"The weather conditions were nice and the track was good," cited Bertsch. "We got our first 220 mph run and actually held the track speed record through the third session. With the conditions we had, everyone was shooting for the moon, and we lost a close race in round two by .009 of a second."

With fall just around the corner and Maryland International Raceway's near sea level altitude, Bertsch expects a fast field this weekend.

"The track altitude is around 90 ft above sea level," stated Bertsch. "So it wouldn't surprise me to see the density altitude go below sea level this weekend. It will be a real fast field, everyone will be slugging for it. Hopefully we can go out and make a good showing for Rislone Engine Treatment, Share Capital and Ram Clutches. We're only six points out of the top ten right now, and we would love to make it in being our first full year in the class."

-credit: barsleaks