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Tornado Alley – "Big Aluminum Beast" Ready to Roar!
(Bill W) April 23, 2009 – It was another week, and another race running up front for Billy Alley. This time, the Lincoln, Nebraska sprint car ace finished second in Jackson Sprint Touring Series action at the Park Jefferson Speedway on Friday. It's time to concentrate on the 410 now, as Knoxville lies ahead this weekend, with practice on Friday and the season opener scheduled for Saturday!
Billy feels good about the way the Billy Alley Enterprises #22 has performed so far. "Every time out now, we've been in the hunt, and that's a great feeling," he says. "I've got great people surrounding me, and good equipment, so we should be in position to be at the front most nights."
The results show Billy started ninth and finished fourth in his heat at Park Jefferson. "I haven't been drawing well, and with the passing point system, that's a key," he says. "We got up through there alright. Actually, we finished fifth, but Toby Chapman forgot about the scales, so that helped."
Starting in row two, Billy maintained for awhile, battling with Dusty Zomer and Gregg Bakker. In the end, he finished a close second to fellow Nebraskan Jack Dover. "We definitely got better as the race went on," Billy says of the car. "The problem was, we were so terrible to start with, that we just ran out of laps. That's kind of your goal to have the car get better as the night goes on. We just needed about 40 more laps and we would have been perfect. To lose by half a car length with the car the way it was and the way I screwed up the last lap…in a strange way…it builds your confidence."
Billy hasn't gone toe to toe with Dover much despite their proximity. "Jack is a Nebraska kid, and we really haven't raced against each other a whole lot," says Billy. "I've read a lot about him, because he's from Nebraska and has done a lot of good things, but I gained some respect for him Friday. He was definitely fast, and I think they have one of the better 360 programs in the country."
Billy couldn't help but be a little mad at himself when he hit the scales after the race. "When I got started in this deal, and was winning a bit, guys never liked a young driver beating them, and I guess I'm a little bit the same way," he says at the ripe old age of 25.
The 2006 track champion is excited about the Knoxville season starting. "The big aluminum beast is ready to roar!" he says. "It's been awhile. The last time I was at Knoxville in a 410, I backed it into the wall at 120. I'm looking to get back into the swing of things the right way. When you get on the loud pedal there, you know something's going on, because you get up to speed in a hurry."
The 2008 season at Knoxville was a good one, that saw Billy finish second to Danny Lasoski in the final point standings. "I'm excited to get back there, and see all the familiar faces," he says. "I'm just hoping we can get out of the box like we did with our 360. The confidence is there, and that's half the battle."
On the Web
To learn more about Billy Alley, including updated results and photos, visit www.BillyAlley.com!
T-Shirts!
T-shirts are coming soon. Stay tuned to www.BillyAlley.com!
Vintage Ric Flair Clip of the Week!
We need someone like Ric Flair in racing. In this week's clip, Ric lets Ricky Steamboat know, that "To be the Man, you've got to beat the Man". Steamboat never had a chance…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjW9UXoKU2s&feature=related
Down the Alley
Cliff Clowdus asks: Has being the car owner and driver changed your goals for this season?
Billy answers: No, not really. I just look to go out and win every race. That's my goal. I know you can't win them all, but as long as we're competitive, that's where you want to be. There are a lot of benefits to calling your own shots, but it's always nice to partner with someone. I want to race for a long time, and to do that, I hope there's someone out there that notices what we can accomplish. I feel like I've grown as a driver and a person every year I've been doing it, and the best is yet to come!
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
In 114 career features at Knoxville Raceway, Billy has 15 wins (13%), 61 top fives (54%) and 81 top tens (71%). He has five wins in the 410, and ten in the 360. Billy's biggest wins include his 360 Nationals titles in 2004 and 2005. He has also won three preliminaries at the 360 Nationals, and won both 360 features during Twin Features night in 2003. He also won last year's 410 Mid-Season Championship race.
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 would like to thank Buss Excavating, Bolz Farms, Schmit Automotive, Aeroquip, K&N Filters, Awesome Racewear, Hoosier Tire, Wesmar Racing Engines, McLain Motorsports, The Buckles Brothers, "High Roller" the Pig Farmer, JEI Chassis, Red Devil Brakes, Harris Decals, RCI, Terry's Body Shop and Pro Shocks.
Billy at Park Jefferson Speedway (Doug Johnson Photo)
Bill W MediaMonroe, IA USA[email protected]
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