[i By Bill Sullivan/Sullivan Images Media]
[b ELK GROVE, CA –] Nearly every sprint car driver dreams of the opportunity to race with the best driver's in the nation. When those drivers come to your home state such dreams become even better and this Saturday night Elk Grove's Billy Strange Jr. is one of many Northern California drivers looking forward to a spring fling with the Nationally known World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series in Chico, California.
It's known as the annual Mini-Gold Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway, part of an early season stint by the prestigious sprint car series that is so well known by the talented names such as Kinser, Swindell, Haudenschild, Schatz,Saldana and many more. As a local contender, beating the best of the best is often a distant goal but just having the opportunity to race with this tour is an honor in itself.
"This is going to be good," said Strange. "We're going to be able to shake down the new car and work out the rust in me. If we can manage to have another solid qualifying effort like we did at the Gold Cup last year I think we will have a good shot at making it into the A-feature which would be great."
After acquiring a new motor last year, Strange entered a handful of select events featuring 410 cubic inch powered sprint cars. He raced with the Golden State Challenge Sprint Car Series and when the Outlaws came to town for the Gold Cup in September it was the first time Strange ever had the opportunity to run the event with the larger motor as opposed to the 360 motor he ran fulltime.
As Strange mentioned, the 2010 Gold Cup saw the second generation wheelman perform well in qualifying. On the first of two preliminary nights of action Strange turned the 18th quickest lap time with an 11:338 and finished their night with that effort when mechanical woes parked them for the weekend. Although Strange only tested his skills against the best on one night the team was pumped up about the effort in qualifying and is looking forward to doing even better on a lightning fast spring track.
"This is really a great way to start the new season," said Strange. "We don't go into an event like this with unreasonable goals in mind. I always set a goal for myself and keep it within reason. This is our chance to really get prepared for the season as a team, as a driver and with all of our equipment."
Following the Outlaws event, Strange will begin running a season packed with a diverse number of events. Not only will he compete in various 410 events, Strange will return to 360 action but will also run in select wingless events as well. His schedule is a true testament of a California outlaw as he travels track to track across the state.
Following Chico, Strange will launch his 360 sprint car season off as he heads to Placerville Speedway for the opening round of the California based Civil War Sprint Car Series.
Following the two season openers Strange will compete in a total of ten King of the West Sprint Car Series events. Strange is scheduled to appear at the 410 series races in Antioch, Tulare, Watsonville, Marysville, Chico, Medford and Cottage Grove Oregon along with Hanford and Santa Maria.
After several strong runs last year at Placerville Speedway, Strange will make appearances at various shows at the El Dorado County track where both his father and he have had much success. Among the expected events will include a Placerville Speedway Civil War on July 2 along with a special event on July 29 and 30 for the American Sprint Car Series National event in the Foothills. Strange will also compete with USAC Wingless Sprint Car event on August 6 and weekly point racing event on August 13th.
Strange plans to join the World of Outlaws tour once again as they make their Gold Rush tour through the Pacific Northwest and into California. This stint will include appearances at Alger Washington, Cottage Grove Oregon and back to Silver Dollar Speedway for the famed Gold Cup Race of Champions.
Strange will begin to wrap up his 2011 schedule by competing in the Civil War Series finale back at Placerville Speedway on September 24th. He will then return to the Giant Chevrolet Speedway in Hanford for a final King of the West event followed by the Trophy Cup in Tulare October 21 and 22.
Currently, Strange is seeking additional sponsorship for the 2011 racing season. Last year they had a number of marketing partners that supported their efforts in which will return. Among their supporters are Kevin Sharrah Designs, ART Enterprises, Swepco Lubricants, Pronol Race Fuels, High Country Painting and Amerikote.
To learn more about Billy Strange or to contact them about sponsorship opportunities, visit his official website at www.billystrangejr.com.
Publicity materials for Billy Strange are a production of Sullivan Images Media.
- Bill Sullivan on Mar 08, 2011
- Article Date: 3/8/2011