[i By Bill Sullivan/Sullivan Images Media]
[b ELK GROVE, CA (5-10-10) –] For Elk Grove's Billy Strange, the 2010 sprint car racing season just keeps getting better week after week. A driver who sets reasonable goals for himself, Strange has managed to meet them in nearly every night of competition. Saturday night such was the case at Placerville Speedway during the fifth round of the weekly Red Hawk Casino Championship season at Placerville Speedway.
Setting his sights on a top ten finish on this particular night, Strange accomplished his goal and took it a couple of positions beyond that as well. After qualifying 16th with a 10:880, Strange won his preliminary heat race but still started deep in the field for the 25-lap A-feature.
Sitting on the outside of the seventh row in the 14th starting position, Strange was well aware that patience would be a virtue as soon as the green flag waved for the event. At the opening green flag, the second generation racer drove a good clean line and actually faded back to the 15th position on the second lap before he began climbing towards the top ten in the ensuing laps.
By the fifth lap of the race, Strange advanced into the 13th position and with 14 laps complete he reached the top ten positions in an event that suffered its share of yellow flags from spins and collisions. After maintaining the tenth position for several laps, Strange avoided a multi-car collision in the second turn that involved the leaders and several others. Being able to avoid the incident resulted in Strange advancing into the seventh position by the time the green flag waved again.
Once the green flag waved, Strange maintained his seventh place position all the way to the finish line. The seventh place finish was his career best in a feature event at Placerville. With his success in the heat race and the A-feature, Strange advanced three positions in the point standings. He now sits in sixth place, 26-points out of the lead.
"This night just went great for the whole team" said Strange. "We picked up another heat race win which was very cool and helps us in the point standings. Starting 14th in the A main I knew I was going to need some patience to start picking off a few cars. I felt like I was getting faster with the track each lap. This was my best finish ever so it was a great night. I got to battle with several different cars to get there which was really a lot of fun."
This Saturday night Strange returns to Placerville Speedway to join his fellow competitors on "Autism Awareness" night at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. Following this week and one additional event, Strange will be qualified for the upcoming $5000 to win Mark Forni Classic race in July, a race that requires six starts in Placerville Speedway championship events and Civil War visits.
Strange Motorsports has a number of marketing partners that they are thankful for. Among their supporters are QWK Racing Components, ART Enterprises, Rex Hutchison Racing Engines, Kevin Sharrah Designs, Swepco Lubricants, Pronol Race Fuels, MotoWear International, America's Tire, High Country Painting and Amerikote.
. To learn more about Billy Strange visit his official website at www.billystrangejr.com.
- Bill Sullivan on May 11, 2010
- Article Date: 5/11/2010