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Tornado Alley – SA Racing is Born!
(Bill W) March 20, 2008 – A few months ago, Billy Alley wasn't sure what he was going to do. The Lincoln, Nebraska sprint car driver and 2006 Knoxville Raceway track champion was going to have to piece something together to race anywhere in 2008. Enter Pleasant Hill Iowa's Shane Sterling. Sterling had become acquainted with Billy during last year's racing season, and the two had hit it off. One phone call from Shane to Billy two months ago set up what appears to be a force to be reckoned with for some time to come!
The offer included everything Billy needed in a race team. The newly formed partnership encompassed a transporter, a hand chosen racing team, and parts. SA Racing was born! "SA Racing evolved two months ago, and we've been putting racecars together ever since," says Billy. "We've definitely got good equipment and good people behind us, so I believe with the hard work we're putting in, we're going to get results."
The team has lined up an ambitious schedule that focuses on another Knoxville Raceway track championship. Sprinkled in are Midwest 410 dates with the World of Outlaws and ASCS 360 races where they can be plugged in. The team headed down to the Devil's Bowl Speedway near Mesquite, Texas last weekend to shake their new JEI/Wesmar powered sprinter out.
Unfortunately, things didn't go well, and that didn't set well with one of the most competitive drivers out there. "We always have high expectations, but our journey to Devil's Bowl was tough," says Billy. "The competition was fierce, and they definitely got the best of us. We were in left field with the car, to be honest. We got a little away from our game plan. It was a good learning experience for us, I think. In the past, we've always been competitive with the 360's so that made it even a little bit tougher."
It was evident that the car was loose on the banked ½ mile in the prelim on Friday. "We got caught off-guard because the car was real real free on Friday," says Billy. "We tried to make up for that on Saturday, but the racetrack changed quite a bit. I think everyone may have been a little nervous, and we kind of got ahead of ourselves a bit. Then we were playing catch-up, and that's never good in sprint car racing!"
Many in the Midwest do not utilize the JEI chassis, making it hard to bounce around ideas on a local level. The Pennsylvania based car is relatively new, but it is a proven winner. "I chatted with Barry Jackson of JEI this week, and he wondered what was wrong with the car (in Texas)," says Billy. "He related that there aren't too many people running 360 JEI cars out there. We know Lucas Wolfe was really successful in one in Pennsylvania last year, so it can be done, and we'll figure it out soon with his help and our expertise as well."
When things don't go the best, the best thing to do is get right back out on the track and that's what SA Racing will be doing this weekend. The Spring Nationals at the State Fair Speedway in Oklahoma City will be the host for the American Sprint Cars on Tour series this Friday and Saturday night. "We're really looking forward to getting back on the track at Oklahoma City," says Billy. "The thing I remember about the smaller 3/8 track is that it's not round. It's got a different shape to it, so it's a little different. You have to be on top of your setup to go good there."
In addition to Sterling, team members include Billy's reunion with crew chief Bob "Buns" Richardson. Other crew members include Billy's father Stewart, Michael Fuller, Seth Boynton and Allyn "Ace" Shively. "We've been working all week on things, so we should be good to go in OKC!" says Billy.
Website
If you are a youngster interested in designing a sprint car, check out our "Kid's Page" on the website to check out how! Your design could be used on the SA Racing #22 later this year!
To learn more about Billy Alley and SA Racing, visit www.BillyAlley.com!
T-shirts
SA Racing apparel can be viewed at www.BillyAlley.com and purchased at the track! Also visit www.RacingThreads.com for apparel on clearance!
Down the Alley
Bill W asks: I know you are a big deer hunter, how did the hunting season go for you this Winter?
Billy answers: Deer season went well. I think I was out in the deer stand 57 times. Most people keep notes on the racing, but I actually keep notes while I'm deer hunting. Temperature, wind direction, when the rut is starting, going on, or ending, I've got it all. If anyone wants to know what's up in Nebraska deer hunting, just let me know! I had some luck last season. I shot a 140 class buck with my bow. I also got a nice one with the rifle. We've got some really good ground to hunt on, so we're lucky.
Got a question for Billy? Send it to us at [email protected], and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for Billy" in your subject line.
Alley's Anecdotes
Billy has done more at the age of 24 than most sprint car driver's achieve in their entire career. In addition to being the Knoxville track champion in 2006, he was the 360 track champion there in 2003, the New Zealand Grand Prix Winner in 2005, he has won two 360 Nationals, has been named both the National 410 and 360 Rookie of the Year ('04 and '03), won the ASCS-Midwest crown in 2005, and was the 2002 Eagle Raceway Champion and Rookie of the Year. Billy has won 38 features out of 260 (15%), and has been in the top ten in 185 (71%) of those events.
Tornado Alley
"Tornado Alley" is an up close look at the past, present and future of 2006 Knoxville Raceway track champion, Billy Alley. To receive "Tornado Alley", send an e-mail to [email protected] with "Alley" in the subject line.
SA Racing would like to thank Delta Oil, Sterling Physical Therapy, PC, Bolz Farms, Aeroquip, Awesome Racewear, The Buckles Brothers, Buss Excavating, JEI Chassis, McLain Motorsports, Schmit Automotive, Wesmar Racing Engines, Red Devil
Brakes, Fuel Safe, C&R Radiator, Vortex Wings, Sander Engineering, K&N Filters and Harris Decals.
Billy in action at Devil's Bowl Speedway (Allan Holland)
Bill W MediaMonroe, IAUSA[email protected]
If this post isn't results, stories or something c
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