(Bill W) June 15, 2010 – Strong runs saw Billy Alley move forward every time he hit the track at the Eagle Nationals last weekend. The Lincoln, Nebraska native was able to race close to home at Eagle Raceway in the Lucas Oil ASCS National Series event. Unfortunately, things ended on a sour note with a scrambled motor.
Friday’s preliminary saw Billy shoot from an eighth starting spot to fourth in his heat. The move put him one spot out of the draw for the first four rows of the main event, so he would post inside row five. The confident driver threatened for a top five run. “It was pretty good,” says Billy of his run. “Even the driver’s mind was in the game. Our finish didn’t look that good on Friday, but we were close. Brady Bacon had a flat right front tire in front of us, and Jason Johnson was in front of me. We were headed for a green, white, checker finish.”
A late race incident relegated him to eighth at the checkers on the rough and heavy 1/3 mile surface. “We headed into turn one, and Jason went above him (Bacon),” says Billy. “I tried, but it was rough, and I couldn’t get him. He entered the bottom of turn three, and I went high. I almost became the ninth car destroyed on the night, but I was able to save it. Unfortunately, a few cars got past us, or we would have been in the top six there.”
A good heat run on a much racier track was the way that Saturday’s finale kicked off. “We drew well, and started inside row two,” says Billy of the heat. “The problem was, Mr. Shane Stewart was on the pole. The car felt great and we ran second. We would have had to be lightning to get around Stewart.”
Starting outside of row seven, Billy picked his way forward through the field. “We were pretty dang good,” he says. “We were up to seventh or eighth towards the end. Unfortunately, the motor blew up pretty good. We were getting better towards the end, but I think we had a top five car and driver.”
Without another motor in the shop, Billy is taking some time to sort out his next move. “I haven’t figured out exactly what we’ll do next,” he says. “Right now, we’re just taking it day to day. I owe it to great people like K&N Filters and Aeroquip to get the car back out there.”
The 2006 Knoxville Raceway track champion is thankful to have such a great group of people surrounding his race team. “I’d like to thank Dan Buss for the use of his shop,” says Billy. “Kyle Hirst was able to come over after flipping on Friday night, and we were able to get it back together there in Waverly. Mark Schmit and Craig Bolz were dialing in on the wrenches. I just have some great people behind me.”
On the Web
To learn more about Billy Alley, including updated results and photos, visit www.BillyAlley.com!
Billy Alley Gear!
For t-shirts and other apparel, visit www.BillyAlley.com!
Vintage Ric Flair Clip of the Week!
Racing needs the promotion and showmanship of the “Nature Boy”! The “60-minute man” is headed to New York…WOOO!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdE-MOnX5bY&feature=related
Down the Alley
Loren Robinson asks: What made you choose your number 22?
Billy answers: That’s actually our family number. When my dad ran motorcycles, he was the #22.
Got a question for Billy? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for Billy" in your subject line.
Alley's Anecdotes
Billy won the 360 Nationals in both 2004 and 2005. In 2004, he led every lap to beat Wayne Johnson, Terry McCarl, Jason Johnson and Jake Peters. In 2005, he drove to a win in the prelim over Gary Wright, Ricky Logan, Jesse Hockett and Nate Mosher, and the finale over Wright, Brian Brown, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Dusty Zomer.
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 sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with "Alley" in the subject line.
Billy would like to thank Buss Excavating, Bolz Farms, Schmit Automotive, Aeroquip Performance Products, K&N Filters, Arrow Ambulance Remounts, Stepping Stone Genetics, Awesome Racewear, Hoosier Tire, McLain Motorsports, The Buckles Brothers, F&K Rod Ends, “High Roller” the Pig Farmer, Harris Decals, Central Body Shop, Design & Fabrication Solutions, Kadavy Fabrication and Speedway Motors.
[i Billy digs in at Eagle Raceway (Brandon Anderson Photo)]
- Bill Wright on Jun 15, 2010
- Article Date: 6/15/2010