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Tornado Alley – Twin Disappointments!
(Bill W) July 10, 2008 – After winning the Mid-Season Championships on June 28 at Knoxville Raceway, Billy Alley had high hopes going into last weekend. Though his car was operating adequately come race time on Twin Features Night, the results are not what he was hoping for. Friday night had offered an opportunity to race at the Lakeside Speedway near Kansas City with the American Sprint Cars on Tour, but that had not gone well either.
Lately, Billy has struggled to qualify well at Knoxville, but when the green flag drops for competition, he's near the front. On Saturday, a 14th quick effort in time trials offered little hope for a good starting position. "We need to qualify better," says the "Tornado". "There's no excuse for 14th quick. We really need to step that up. We're struggling a bit when the track is heavy, and we need to solve that. We'll keep working on it. We were really good in the heat race, but racing and qualifying are two different things."
Winning his heat race in convincing fashion, the Lincoln, Nebraska driver lined up outside row five of the first 16-lap feature event. The result was a slow start and then a nice drive to fifth in the non-stop affair. "We were pretty good in the first feature," he explains. "I got a rough start, though, and it went green to checker. I really needed a caution in the middle of it, and we would have run better than fifth. We were really fast."
Starting 16th in feature number two, Billy feels he may have been trying to do too much. The result was an 11th place finish. However, the 2006 Knoxville Raceway track champ maintained his second place standing in the points race. "We changed the car a little bit in the second one," he says. "I think I was trying a little too hard. I need to just slow down for a second, and I'll go three seconds faster. We'll keep plugging away and working hard, and that will help our fate guide us."
Struggles with the 360 sprinter continued on Friday night in the ASCoT show at Lakeside. After finishing second in his heat, Billy stumbled to a 13th place finish. "Race car drivers complain a lot, and whine when they don't do well, but I can honestly say that may have been the worst racecar I've driven," he admits. "It was as bad a handling car as I've sat in. I'm trying to finish races now if I feel I can, but I probably should have pulled off. It was pretty much an embarrassment to be honest."
360 hopes were a little higher after a win at Belleville earlier in June, but a mediocre performance like Friday's can work at the confidence of any competitive racecar driver. "I've always seemed to run well on the big tracks like that, but it wasn't like that Saturday," says Billy. "A guy can win one week at Knoxville and six days later, he's so bad at Lakeside. That really ripped at my confidence level. When Wayne Johnson was lapping me going 55 m.p.h. faster…that really burned me up!"
This week, Billy will try to get the 360 handling a little better at the US36 Raceway near Cameron, Missouri on Friday before racing on Hy-Vee Night at the Knoxville Raceway on Saturday.
Bill W Takes a Break
Family vacation calls the next two weeks, but all of those on the mailing list will be getting updates on Billy's goings on!
Hoseheads Radio
If you are too far from Knoxville to make it on Saturday night, Billy's races will be on the internet at www.HoseheadsRadio.com all season long! Join "Hot" Rod Pattison and Bill W for all the action starting at 7:30 p.m. CST. SA Racing is a proud partner of Hoseheads Radio this season!
Billy on the Radio
Billy is making morning appearances all race season long on KJJY (92.5 FM). He's looking forward to talking about racing…and other things with Hatfield and McCoy.
Kids, Design Your Own Wing!
For all the kids, please use your imagination and color a top wing picture in the Kids Page section of my website. Your design could be used on our car the week before the Knoxville Nationals! During the Nationals the wing will be auctioned off for charity. 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
CW McDaniel asks: What's the hardest part about Twin Features Night for a driver?
Billy answers: It's different when you are right in the mix of the points battle. I knew Saturday had a lot of bearing on the points, and a driver who tells you they don't think about that is lying. It adds a little more tension to the night. When we won them both in the 360 (2003), I wasn't even fathoming that I could win the point deal. There wasn't pressure then like now. The night has a big bearing on the rest of the season. I don't like to be a point racer and I went all out, but you think about it.
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 is one of a handful of drivers to capture both wins on Twin Features night. It occurred in 2003 in the 360 class. After drawing well and winning his heat race, he lined up third in the first 15-lap contest. After trailing Dave Hesmer and front row starter, Jesse Giannetto, much of the way, he grabbed the lead on lap 11 and never looked back. Hesmer started on the pole of the second feature and looked to be gone, but Billy, who started 17th, stalked him while picking through the field and made the winning pass in dramatic fashion with two laps to go!
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.
Billy and SA Racing would like to thank Delta Oil, Sterling Physical Therapy, Bolz Farms, Aeroquip, Awesome Racewear, The Buckles Brothers, Buss Excavating, JEI Chassis, McLain Motorsports, Schmit Automotive, Wesmar Racing Engines, Red Devil, Brakes, Pro Shocks, Fuel Safe, C&R Radiator, Vortex Wings, Sander Engineering, K&N Filters , Harris Decals, Toad Valley Golf Course, Speedway Motors, Featherlite Inc., Autometer, D'Agostiono Racing, Monarch's Restaurant, Volvo, Hoosier Tires.
(IBRACN Photo)
Bill W MediaMonroe, IAUSA[email protected]
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