[i Second generation racer to enter ASCS Nationals in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving weekend]
[i By Bill Sullivan/Sullivan Images Media]
ELK GROVE, CA – It's the last race of the year and the biggest race of the year for 360 sprint cars of the year in California, the Annual Trophy Cup at the Tulare Thunderbowl. For Elk Grove's Billy Strange, the 17th Annual high dollar event wrapped up his season in the golden state with a mixture of meeting goals, a little tough luck and hard fought comeback against the best of the best down south.
"Overall it was a good weekend for us," said Strange. "I set some reasonable goals for myself and was able to meet those goals. We had a couple of set backs and the team really came together to get back on track. Without their help along with some others that pitched in the weekend would have ended much earlier."
The annual Trophy Cup benefits the Make A Wish Foundation. It takes place on Tulare's lightning fast 1/3 mile and draws some of the biggest names in the nation when it comes to 360 Sprint Car racing.
With its unique format, the Trophy Cup regularly produces some of the best racing seen all season. Each time a driver hits the track for competitive racing action there are points awarded, with it all being a lead-up to the 50-lap feature on Saturday night that is completely inverted based on points accumulated up to that part of the event.
On Friday night, Strange met his first set of goals when he was 23rd out of some 80 cars in qualifying. He then drove to 16th in the B-main during the first night of competition, again meeting his pre-race goal that was set with the team as they traveled south earlier in the day.
"We set a goal to qualify in the top 48 on Friday and making it into the B," said Strange. "It was a pretty good night and we met our goals. Saturday night was a bit tougher on the track though."
On Saturday, Strange returned to the track and the good fortune took a new tone. In the heat race the #28x sprint car went upside down, crushing the top wing and drawing a red flag. It was the fast work of the Strange Motorsports team and a several others that made the necessary repairs in time to return to the track.
"They did an awesome job getting me back out there so quick, we didn't have much time during the caution," said Strange. "I really have to thank my team, not only for this race but the whole season. They have worked hard and it's because of that that we've had a pretty good year."
When he returned to the track Saturday night, Strange managed to acquire enough points in his heat race to lock him into the B main on the final night. He started 15th in the event and muscled his way back and forth through the field during the race. After driving to as high as the 11th position, Strange finished 13th overall.
"The track was very tricky and became very slick by that race, I did what I could," said Strange. "It was a good weekend for us; qualifying as well as we did certainly helped us."
"This is definitely a special race to be in," said Strange, competing in the second Trophy Cup of his career. "It draws so many top drivers from all over the world and the track is always very fast down there. We're looking forward to it and hopefully we can work out way up towards that feature by Saturday night."
While his California racing season has come to a close, Strange's racing season is not over just yet. In November the team has committed to competing in the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Nationals at Las Vegas. The ½ mile track will be one of the biggest Strange has ever raced on before one of the largest audiences in the company of some of the biggest names in the sport. The event is November 26-27. Watch for additional news on this event.
Strange Motorsports is seeking primary sponsorship for the 2011 racing season. In the year to come Strange plans on competing in a variety of high profile events and campaigns including weekly events at Placerville Speedway, the Civil War Series and the traveling Golden State King of the West Series. To learn more about Billy Strange or to contact them about sponsorship opportunities, visit his official website at www.billystrangejr.com.
- Bill Sullivan on Oct 30, 2010
- Article Date: 10/30/2010