[i By Bill Sullivan/Sullivan Images Media]
ELK GROVE, CA – Elk Grove's Billy Strange and his Strange Motorsports crew are hard at work preparing for this weekend's race at the Tulare Thunderbowl with the King of the West Sprint Car Series. After a strong night at Placerville Speedway last Friday, Strange suffered a damaging accident in the feature event on Saturday at Antioch Speedway.
"It was a pretty hard crash, I am surprised I wasn't really sore the next day," said Strange. "We still have a lot of work to do, we'll be fixed by Tulare this weekend though. I love that place."
On Friday night, Strange returned to his home track of Placerville Speedway to compete in the special season opener for the rain delayed Red Hawk Casino Championship Racing Season. The event marked the first 360 race of the year for the second generation driver and when the checkered flag flew at the end of the night the team was satisfied with their results.
"Placerville was ok," said Strange. "We got a top ten out of it. The right rear started going down about half way through the main so it tightened the car up a bunch."
On Friday night, Strange qualified 17th with a lap time of 11:264 on the quarter mile. He finished third in his heat race and in the 25-lap feature drove from the 15th starting position to finish 10th.
"We were pretty happy with the end result at Placerville," added Strange. "Considering the bad luck we'd had prior to then it was a good night for us."
The bad luck Strange made reference to returned to haunt the #28x sprint car and crew on Saturday night. Making their first ever appearance in the King of the West Sprint Car Series, Strange traveled to Antioch Speedway with a 410 power plant in the car.
Due to motor problems early, Strange missed qualifying on Saturday. In heat race action he narrowly missed an instant transfer in the A-feature with a sixth place finish following an engine fire. Strange redeemed himself in the Last Chance Qualifier, however, driving from 12th to fourth to make it into the money race.
With only eight laps into the event, Strange fell victim to a multi-car crash following a restart on the front stretch. A total of three cars ended up upside down including Strange, who cart wheeled down the final section of the straight away and ended up upside down with fellow drivers Tommy Tarlton and Shane Golobic.
Saturday's accident caused a great deal of damage to the #28x and ended their night with a 21st place finish officially. Since Sunday morning the crew has been hard at work to rebuild the car for this week's event. Their work will continue into the late hours this Friday to insure they will make the grid in Tulare.
"Antioch was rough," said Strange. "I started the main and got caught up with some cars and went a lap down early. I was just staying out to see if we could get a few more points and I got collected in the wreck that tore the whole car up. We have a lot to do this week."
Strange is still seeking additional sponsorship for the 2011 racing season.. Among their current supporters are America's Tire 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 Apr 14, 2011
- Article Date: 4/14/2011