[i By Bill Sullivan/Sullivan Images Media]
[b ELK GROVE, CA (8-4-10)] – After two weeks of racing in a pair of very high profile events, Elk Grove's Billy Strange will return to Marysville Raceway Park, in Marysville, California this Saturday night to compete in the 360 winged sprint car division for Dairy Queen "Dilly Bar Night" at the quarter-mile dirt oval.
"Who can turn down a Dilly Bar and a night of racing together," said Strange. "We've been racing really hard these past couple of weeks. We are looking at this Saturday as somewhat of a test session to shake some things out in the car. Not worried about points or anything, it should be a fun night."
Over the past two weekends, Strange has competed in two of California's most coveted open wheel racing venues. On July 31 he raced a 410 cubic inch powered #28x sprint car in the Golden State Challenge Series event at Marysville Raceway Park. Last weekend he returned to 360 power plant action at Placerville Speedway when the Civil War Series took to the track for the much anticipated "Tribute to Al Hinds" race.
"It's been a very busy couple of weeks for us," said Strange. "I was pretty happy with the results but it's not quite where I would like to be. Hopefully this weekend will give us the opportunity to work through some things on the car and who knows, we may end the night with a strong finish, I've done pretty well at Marysville in the past."
During the earlier Golden State Challenge event at Marysville, Strange clocked the 15th fastest night in the 24 car field with a 12:953 second lap on the quarter mile. He finished an impressive third in his heat race during his 3rd start of the year with the King of California tour.
In the 30-lap feature event, Strange started in the 14th position. Using great patience combined with a solid set up on the car by the Strange Motorsports crew, he muscled his way to 8th place in the feature event to score his first top ten finish of the year in the 410 series.
Last week for the Tribute to Al Hinds event, Strange Motorsports had the opportunity to meet a number of race fans when they participated in the annual Family Auto Center Race Car Show and BBQ prior to the annual event at Placerville Speedway that pays tribute to the late racing promoter and motor builder.
When the action moved to the track, a total of 37 cars packed the pit area and a strong qualifying run was crucial to secure a starting spot in the $3,000 to win feature event. Strange turned the 12th quickest lap in qualifying with a 10:720 second lap. His heat race netted him a 7th place finish, however, placing him in the challenging semi feature event prior to the 30-lap money race.
On this given night, the top seven finishers transferred into the A feature. Strange finished in the must coveted 7th position to transfer into the A-feature where he started in the 21st starting position. It was in this event where Strange displayed his ability to work through traffic at the popular bullring track as he worked his way up to the 13th finishing position by the time the checkered flag waved to winner Jason Statler.
"We just couldn't get the motor to run like it should all night long," said Strange. "I was fortunate enough to finish as high as I did considering the way it was running. This weekend we hope to get that problem addressed and are ready for the next point race."
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 Aug 04, 2010
- Article Date: 8/4/2010