From Bill W, IBRacn Photo
September 21, 2010 – Billy Alley has been in a familiar place the last two weeks…on the podium after a sprint car race. The familiar place has not been that familiar in 2010. The year has seen a myriad of mechanical problems plague the Lincoln, Nebraska driver. He is just happy to be running up front now. A third place at McCool Junction on September 11 was followed by a second place finish last Friday night at Park Jefferson Speedway with the JSTS.
Things were going well before Knoxville’s 360 Nationals when Billy’s primary motor blew up. It was back in action on the 11th at the Junction Motor Speedway with the ASCS-Midwest series. “We got that Al Parker engine going,” he says. “He worked hard to get it to us for that McCool Junction race. I think we found what the problem had been with it. It was just nice to go to a race and not have something under the hood go wrong.”
In the feature, Billy drove from 12th up to third against some stout competition. “We were really good,” he says. “The car was fast. It was back to the old school fun times. We weren’t fast enough to win it, but it definitely gave us some confidence, I know that.”
Billy had hoped a return to Eagle Raceway for the Nebraska Cup would be what the doctor ordered. Instead some minor mechanical gremlins ruined his night. “I was pretty excited to go to Eagle,” he says. “Unfortunately, we had some problems and by the time we had it diagnosed, it was a simple mag box. It started going out in the heat race.”
Electrical problems are the hardest to diagnose. “We couldn’t figure out what the deal was,” says Billy. “We ended up getting breaks with our starting position in the heat, and the car was stagnant. We thought we went way too deep in gear, but that wasn’t the case. The thing wouldn’t even run in the B.”
It was on to Park Jefferson Speedway near Park Jefferson, South Dakota last Friday night for some Jackson Speedway Touring Series action. After a second place finish in his heat, Billy lined up inside row three for the feature. “I kind of made some bad setup calls at Park Jefferson,” he admits. “We were fast, but again, we were one spot short of getting the win.”
Though he settled for second behind Jack Dover, Billy is getting closer to another trip to Victory Lane. “That was cool,” he says of PJ. “I just want to be consistent again, and put together some solid finishes. The problem is the season is about done, and we’re just starting to get it going. Hopefully, we can get it going for next year.”
For someone with the competitive fire that he has, Billy has been frustrated with the problems his race team has endured this year. “We have the capability to win a lot of races, so it has been disappointing,” says the 2006 Knoxville Raceway 410 champion. “You could quit, but we’re not going to do that. We have some great sponsors that help us out, and hopefully, they will stick with us. Not being able to race a couple of times a week has really bothered me this year.”
Right now, Billy is taking things week to week. You can catch him this Friday night at the I-80 Speedway near Greenwood, Nebraska for another ASCS-Midwest tilt.
On the Web
To learn more about Billy Alley, including updated results and photos, visit www.BillyAlley.com!
Billy Alley Gear!
For t-shirts and other apparel, visit www.BillyAlley.com!
Vintage Ric Flair Clip of the Week!
Racing needs the promotion and showmanship of the “Nature Boy”! Where did WOOO come from?
Down the Alley
Rich Perkins asks: How have you been getting ready for fatherhood (expecting this Winter)?
Billy answers: I’m just trying to get the building done that we’re going to live in. I’ve been working on that a lot this summer. The building is done, and we’re about halfway done with the apartment. That, and I’m working construction all week to pay the bills.
Got a question for Billy? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put “? for Billy” in your subject line.
Alley’s Anecdotes
In 2006, Billy drove the Gifford Motorsports #17G to the 410 track championship at Knoxville Raceway. The title went down to the final night, which was postponed a month to October. In the closest point race in Knoxville history, Billy edged Brian Brown by five points for the title. He recorded two of his five career 410 feature wins that season.
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 sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with “Alley” in the subject line.
Billy would like to thank Buss Excavating, Bolz Farms, Schmit Automotive, Aeroquip Performance Products, K&N Filters, Arrow Ambulance Remounts, Stepping Stone Genetics, Awesome Racewear, Hoosier Tire, McLain Motorsports, The Buckles Brothers, F&K Rod Ends, “High Roller” the Pig Farmer, Harris Decals, Central Body Shop, Design & Fabrication Solutions, Kadavy Fabrication and Speedway Motors.