PRO STOCK

In the final that no one saw coming, Bob Bertsch and Mike Bruno – with a combined one career final round between them – faced off in the final of the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock class.

Bertsch came into this race with one career victory, but that win was slightly tarnished as he was the only car in the field that afternoon after unforeseen circumstances placed him as the lone Pro Stock in the field. On Sunday, however, Bertsch finally made that win legit.

Bertsch (Willis, Mich.) knocked off Bruno (East Hazel Crest, Ill.) in Sunday’s final running a 6.333 elapsed time at 220.19 miles per hour to Bruno’s 6.467 at 219.47 mph to claim the win he has been waiting for.

“The one in Edmonton was for John and there is no question about that. This one I was able to earn,” Bertsch said. “This one I will cherish always. This is my first one and maybe now I can start collecting a few more.”

Along with the win over Bruno, Bertsch also recorded victories over defending world champion Pete Berner and Carl Baker to claim his second career victory.

“It was a good day. We just worked at it all weekend and the last run was the fastest run all weekend,” Bertsch said. “The weather played a factor and it was kind of hit and miss with that, but I can’t say enough about Rislone and how they have stood behind me even after the year we have had.”

While Bertsch was dominant on the track, he certainly had his share of problems in the pits, one of which almost cost him a round.

“We had a couple of problems in the pits. Twice when we put the clutch in it locked up and we were a little late to get in the lanes and they were screaming at us to get up there on time,” Bertsch said. “Thankfully they were understanding and we got up there and made our runs.”

The Rislone Ford Mustang ran consistent numbers throughout the afternoon and had no trouble knocking off Bruno in the final.