By Bill Sullivan/Sullivan Images Media
ELK GROVE, CA (8-21-10) – Elk Grove’s Billy Strange Jr. took to the banks of Placerville Speedway last Saturday and ended the night with his best career finish in 410 cubic inch sprint car racing. Strange was competing with the Golden State Challenge Sprint Car Series in the grand finale of the 2010 Championship Series that crowns the King of California Sprint Car Champion.
Throughout the season, Strange has focused primarily on 360 powered sprint car events, however, with the acquisition of a 410 cubic inch power plant earlier in the season the second generation driver has been enjoying limited appearances in the Golden State Challenge Campaign. While all three GSC starts have been thrilling, this most recent was by far the highlight of Strange’s racing career.
“We were really pumped up after Saturday night,” said Strange. “Everything was perfect from start to finish. I love the 360 car but when you run a 410 nothing compares to how it feels out there, it’s just awesome.”
Saturday night Strange’s night started on a high note in qualifying. After months of struggling in qualifying, Strange overcame that hurdle when he took to the track. His fastest lap was an outstanding 10:229 second lap. At the time it earned him the second quickest night and by the time the 24 car field was finished, Strange maintained the fourth fastest time of the night.
“All season long we have struggled qualifying,” added Strange. “Not this time, everything fell into place and set the tone for the night.”
In heat racing, Strange secured a starting spot in the A-feature with a fifth place finish. He then competed in the dash and finished 6th which placed him on the outside of the third row for the start of the A feature. In the 30-lap feature event, Strange raced wheel to wheel with the best drivers in the sport and finished 7th overall behind Tim Kaeding, Sean Becker, Evan Suggs, Kyle Larson, Andy Forsberg and Bobby McMahan.
“To finish in the top ten with that kind of company is really rewarding,” said Strange. “The car was perfect all night. The motor ran great and Brian had the car set up great. I learned a lot running up front with these guys. I’m looking forward to the Gold Cup this year.”
Saturday marked Strange’s second top ten finish of the year in the Golden State Challenge Series. In weekly Placerville competition he holds the tenth position in the standings with three top ten finishes and three heat race wins. This Saturday night Strange returns to Placerville for the second to last point race of the season here.”
Strange Motorsports has a number of marketing partners that they are thankful for. Among their supporters are QWK Racing Components, ART Enterprises, 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 25, 2010
- Article Date: 8/25/2010