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Tornado Alley – WoO Week!
(Bill W) September 9, 2008 – Billy Alley was scheduled for two shows in his home state last weekend, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Instead, he settled for one show on Sunday night at the Eagle Raceway and the ASCS-Midwest Nebraska Cup. After starting deep in the field, he would put on a show for the fans, surging to another podium finish. This week, he'll take on the World of Outlaws in Spencer, Iowa, Cameron, Missouri, and Topeka, Kansas.
The Nebraska Cup started with a bad pill draw for the heat. "We drew poorly and started dead last (8th) in the heat," says Billy. "I tried to make something happen on the first lap by hitting the high side of one and two like an idiot. I ended up tagging the wall. I should have pulled it out of gear and started over, but I kept going."
Kept going he did, and he reclaimed several spots to finish third. "It was my fault; because I compounded the bad draw with trying to do the bonsai stuff on the start and give the fans a show," says Billy of the lap one incident. "That cost me big time. I didn't hit the fence hard, I rubbed it. I was looking at it, saying, 'Darn it, I'm going to crash!' Luckily, that didn't happen."
The heat run set up Billy in row seven for the feature event. "It was fast and narrow and tough to pass," he says. "That's how ASCS shows go sometimes. You got to be lucky and fast a lot of nights, and we weren't lucky."
The Lincoln, Nebraska driver got off to a poor start and never really got into striking distance of the leaders (Mike Boston and Jack Dover). "It hurt us by missing the top eight and not getting in the dash," he says. "We were good, it's just that Boston and Dover got an awesome start, and I got a bad one. We really needed a caution late in the race. We could have made it interesting then."
Billy did storm forward ten spots to garner another podium finish (3rd). "We were probably the fastest car at the end, but that doesn't count," he says. "Close only counts in horshoes and hand grenades. We were awesome at the end. It's cool to run at home at Eagle where I grew up."
This week, Billy and the SA Racing team will hit three WoO shows. Wednesday night, it will be the Clay County Fair Speedway in Spencer, Iowa. On Friday, the action will shift to the "Show Me" State at the US36 Raceway near Cameron, and on Saturday, they'll hit Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas. "I'm really excited to take on the Outlaws again," says Billy. "I felt really good about the feature we ran in the Nationals finale (finishing 14th after dropping to the back of the pack). We've come a long ways since we raced with them in April at Pevely."
Spencer and Topeka will be maiden voyages for the 2006 Knoxville track champion, but he has spun laps at US36. "It's a fast little joint," he says of the high-banked bullring. "Hopefully, it slicks out to where you can race on it, but usually it's pretty heavy and you just hang on and go for the ride!"
Billy's Deer Hunting Update
"I spotted another 4x4 (nice buck) this week on the properties I hunt! I've never seen this one before! They are still in full velvet, so they have some work to do on their racks! The season starts next Monday, so I've been shooting my Matthews bow every day! I've got all the Big Game Treestands up that I need; now it is just a waiting game!"
New T-Shirts!
Check out Billy's new T-Shirts designed by GRAFX 2 A Tee! Get them at the trailer, or e-mail Billy to order!
Down the Alley
Barry from Millard, NE asks: When you are walking the track during an intermission at Eagle or Knoxville, what are you looking for?
Billy answers: You're looking for changes in the track and how you think it might change. You're checking out moisture to try to nail down the setup. Sometimes you're out there for exercise. Most tracks that you've been to a lot…you know what part of the track you need to check out, like the bottom at Knoxville. It's hard to see unless you walk it. At Eagle, you just check it out for yourself…you may be getting nervous and going for a walk at that point.
Got a question for Billy? Send it to us at [email protected], and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for Billy" in your subject line.
Alley's Anecdotes
The Nebraska Cup brings to an end his year in the 360, outside of a possible trip to Little Rock at the end of October for the Short Track Nationals. In 17 starts, they recorded two wins, nine top fives, and nine top tens. There is no question that the team got stronger as the year went on. They finished with six straight top three finishes, and finished in the top three in seven of their last eight events. The wins came at Belleville with the NCRA and the $5,000 to win Jackson Nationals on August 16.
Tornado Alley
"Tornado Alley" is an up close look at the past, present and future of 2006 Knoxville Raceway track champion, Billy Alley. To receive "Tornado Alley", send an e-mail to [email protected] with "Alley" in the subject line.
Billy and SA Racing would like to thank Delta Oil, Sterling Physical Therapy, Bolz Farms, Aeroquip, Awesome Racewear, The Buckles Brothers, Buss Excavating, JEI Chassis, McLain Motorsports, Schmit Automotive, Wesmar Racing Engines, Red Devil, Brakes, Pro Shocks, Fuel Safe, C&R Radiator, Vortex Wings, Sander Engineering, K&N Filters , Harris Decals, Toad Valley Golf Course, Speedway Motors, Featherlite Inc., Autometer, D'Agostiono Racing, Monarch's Restaurant, Volvo, Hoosier Tires.
Billy at Eagle Raceway (IBRACN Photo)
Bill W MediaMonroe, IAUSA[email protected]
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