[i By Bill Sullivan/Sullivan Images Media]
[b ELK GROVE, CA (7-13-10) –] If any weekend illustrated how someone can quickly turn misfortune into good fortune last week was just that for Elk Grove's Billy Strange. Despite a damaging collision, Strange managed an 11th place finish at Placerville Speedway in the Red Hawk Casino Championship Series and is now ready for the biggest race of the year.
"We started our night out with ignition problems and we managed to fix that and drive our way through he B Main into the A-main," said Strange. "Starting so far back in the feature, my plan was pretty simple; go forward as fast as I can."
Strange started all the way back in 19th for Saturday's A-feature. With a five laps complete in the 25-lap race he had already worked his way up to the 12th position and was clearly on his way to a top five finish at the rate the #28x sprint car was advancing through the field. Shortly after the fifth lap, however, trouble broke out in the first and second turn when.
As he entered the turn, Strange drove into an unavoidable collision that was taking place between two competitors. The impact caused damage to the wings of his car. During the red flag condition, the Strange Motorsports crew went to work and was able to make the needed repairs in time for the green flag restart.
"It was unfortunate that we got caught up in the wreck when we did, we had a very fast car," said Strange. "My crew and some others were able to fix the wing enough to keep racing. In the end our night actually turned out well for as bad as it was starting."
Restarting from the field, Strange began working his way back through the field in the remaining laps. By the time the checkered flag flew he had rallied back the 11th starting position. Considering the accident and two trips from the rear of the field, finishing one position out of the top ten was deemed a good night for the team.
This Saturday night, Strange returns to Placerville Speedway for one of the most coveted nights of racing, it's the fifth annual Mark Forni Classic. This event is the highest paying race at Placerville Speedway all year, paying $5000 to the winner. The race rewards the local who start in 6 or more events at Placerville Speedway during the early half of the season. Strange has started in a total of 10 events at Placerville.
"Racing in the Forni Race is going to be great this weekend, this is a race we planned on running from the start of the season," said Strange. "This will be a great race to place well in or win considering the caliber of drivers that will be there."
Billy Strange is currently 13th in the overall point standings at Placerville Speedway. He has two top ten finishes in the Red Hawk Championship series and three heat race victories.
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 Jul 15, 2010
- Article Date: 7/15/2010