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Tornado Alley – Catch-up Ball!
(Bill W) May 7, 2009 – Billy Alley was left playing a game of "catch-up" all night long at Knoxville Raceway last Saturday. Mechanical difficulties plagued the Lincoln, Nebraska driver. Fortunately, nothing was terminal and he'll be full strength going into this weekend's show with the Interstate Racing Association (IRA) in town.
After drawing a number that resulted in him coming out 43rd in the 47 car field for time trials, Billy registered some quick times in hot laps. He then timed in 27th in the field. "I do know that we were fast, and our problems were mechanical," he says of the night. "After hot laps, we were right there with the fast times. We'll get those problems fixed and learn from them. Nothing was hurt, so that was the big thing."
Billy had his work cut out for him starting seventh in the heat, with only the top five transferring to the main event. Things looked good when he challenged for a transfer spot, but white smoke emanated from the Billy Alley Enterprises #22, and he pulled off. "I believe if everything went right, we would have gotten a transfer through the heat there," he says. "The car started smoking and we really couldn't pinpoint the problem. When you're worried about the motor like that, you don't want to take chances."
The B main came quickly and the gremlins weren't diagnosed. "We were still chasing the problems," says Billy. "We always try to do well when the Outlaws come, but in the back of our mind, we're running Knoxville for points, and you have to use it as kind of a test session too."
Billy pulled off early in the event, living to fight another day, and taking his 100 "show up" points from Knoxville. "The motor wasn't running exactly right, and I didn't know what the problem was, so I pulled it off," he says. "There was no sense taking a chance there."
Billy's hopes were high coming in, and he was hoping to match the early success he had last month in the 360. "With the way we started in the 360, I expected the same in the 410," he says. "I know we have good equipment and everything is fine now. We should be able to go out Saturday and challenge for the win."
The new "flat" wing rule is something that all drivers will have to get used to. "The flat wing really changes how the car reacts," says Billy. "Everyone has to deal with it. I heard Fred Rahmer recently talk about it out in Pennsylvania too, so it's not just here. We'll get it figured out."
Saturday's performance reminds him of one year ago at the same time period. He ended up with a great season, and ended second in the Knoxville point standings with two wins along the way. "You can't win the game from behind the 8-ball!" he says. "I had high expectations coming in, and that may have been a bit of the problem. When you dig a hole with the Outlaws, it's tough to dig yourself out. We struggled last year the first night too, and things ended up fine. We plan on bouncing back, and quickly!"
On the Web
To learn more about Billy Alley, including updated results and photos, visit www.BillyAlley.com! Check out the new "The Shop" gallery.
T-Shirts!
T-shirts are coming soon. Stay tuned to www.BillyAlley.com!
Vintage Ric Flair Clip of the Week!
We need someone like Ric Flair in racing. In this week's clip, Ric lets us know what's "Cookin' in Atlanta G.A." Of course, it's him! Despite the time it takes to run a financial empire, he always leaves the ladies with a smile on their face!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwZ77IuKu2U&feature=related
Down the Alley
Melinda Van Zante asks: Are there other drivers you talk to about the track on race night, or are you focused on what you have to do only?
Billy answers: I've run at Knoxville enough to know what it's going to do there. That's an advantage when you're running at home. I talk to my brother-in-law (Ryan Roberts) about what it's doing if he's been out there. Knoxville has the best track prep in the country, so you can usually figure out what's going on. If you get caught up in everyone else's deal it can screw you up. When you're going right, you're in a zone pretty much and just worrying about yourself.
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
Billy has registered eight top ten finishes in ten features run with the IRA. His best are two fifths he scored during the Summer Classic at Knoxville in 2005. In the prelim, Kerry Madsen won, followed by Brian Brown, Chad Meyer, Dusty Zomer and Billy. In the $10,000 to win finale, Billy trailed Madsen, Brown, Sammy Swindell and Ricky Logan.
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 would like to thank Buss Excavating, Bolz Farms, Schmit Automotive, Aeroquip, K&N Filters, Awesome Racewear, Hoosier Tire, Wesmar Racing Engines, McLain Motorsports, The Buckles Brothers, "High Roller" the Pig Farmer, JEI Chassis, Red Devil Brakes, Harris Decals, Penske Shocks, RCI, and Terry's Body Shop.
Billy at Knoxville (Danny Howk Photo)
Bill W MediaMonroe, IA USA[email protected]
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