By Bill W, Danny Hawk photo
August 3, 2011 โ Billy Alley will once again burst on the scene at the Knoxville Raceway in both the 360 and 410 Nationals in the next two weeks. The Bennet, Nebraska driver should have some momentum after a solid performance in the 360 division last Saturday night, and with the knowledge that he was won the 360 Nationals on two separate occasions. He has agreed to chauffeur the Alan Barton Motorsports #7AB in the 410 Nationals and is looking forward to that as well.
After qualifying tenth in a 42-car field last Saturday night, Billy ran a solid second after starting fourth in his heat race. In the main event, he kept pace with the leaders, coming home fourth. โIt was the first time with the new Eagle, but it felt as good as the old yellow #22 ever has at Knoxville,โ he says. โWe were decent all night long. I made a few mistakes in the feature. In a 15-lap A main, you canโt do that. It was definitely something to build on though.โ
Billy will qualify the Billy Alley Enterprises #22 on Thursday night. โWeโre looking forward to the 360 Nationals,โ he says. โWe have our new Eagle. We had been missing something lately, and I think itโs going to be great. Weโre going to compete for the win.โ
As usual, Billy has plenty of good people in his corner. โCraig Bolz (Bolz Farms) has helped me out a ton,โ he says. โBianchi Boys Pizza & Pasta (Altoona, Iowa) is helping us out for the Nationals, and so is (Roger and Karen) Klone Farms. Every little bit helps. The Nationals can get pricey, so I want to be sure and thank all of our sponsors. Itโs not so much the financial part either. Itโs the fact that they believe in me.โ
And of course, he wonโt forget those who have been with him all season long and beyond. โStepping Stone Genetics has been with us for awhile nowโฆIronwood Builders, Aeroquip, K&N Filters and Harris Decals too. We have a lot of people supporting us. Iโm excited to get it going. Weโve been working towards being a threat every night out, and anything can happen at the Nationals.โ
Teaming with Alan Barton Motorsports for the 410 Nationals
Billy received a call from Alan Barton last week. The team will pair with him for a run at the 410 Knoxville Nationals. โIโm excited for this opportunity,โ says Billy. โI definitely want to get back racing 410โs full-time again, and itโs great that Alan is giving me this opportunity. I watched the Nationals last year and it was torture on me, so this has been a blessing. Iโve heard nothing but good things about him.โ
Bartonโs car qualified for the Nationals last year with Brandon Wimmer behind the wheel, and Billy has run the championship event three times. โItโs not like Iโve been winning races left and right, but I believe I can,โ he says. โA guy can do anythingโฆthatโs what lifeโs about.โ
The 2006 Knoxville Raceway 410 track champ is happy to be a part of the team. โI think our success at Knoxville speaks for itself,โ says Billy. โIโm excited to be involved with Hedman Hedders, and of course, K&N Filters has been a big part of our program for years and years.โ
Billy and Alan share a common vision. โOur expectations are the same,โ says Billy. โWe both want to run well and do well. Itโs going to be tough going in there and running the first time on a qualifying night (Thursday), but we will be ready for it.โ
In addition, Billyโs former track championship qualifies him for Friday nightโs Race of Champions paying $10,000 to win, and $1,000 to start. โThatโs going to be great to compete in that race,โ he says. โThat will be cool to be a part of it. Weโll be doing the best we can do. Weโre going to have some fun!โ
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!
Classic Ric Flair Clip of the Week!
Ric takes the ups and down of life (including the limo a mile long and 25 women inside it). Wooooooooooo!
Down the Alley
Bill W asks: What do you think of your chances to win your third 360 Nationals?
Billy answers: Itโs all about the two qualifying laps and getting through the heat race. The rest is just fun!
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
Billy won the 360 Nationals in 2004 and 2005. He led from start to finish both years. That put him third on the all-time list in feature laps led at 50. Billy has four top fives, and six (fourth all-time) top tens in six feature appearances. He has earned two pole positions (2005, 2009).
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 Bolz Farms, Schmit Automotive, Manion Framers for Life, Aeroquip Performance Products, K&N Engineering, Stepping Stone Genetics, Ironwood Builders, KDM, Buss Excavating, Harris Decals, Hoosier Tires, Stewart Alley Concrete, Klone Farms, Bianchi Boys Pizza & Pasta and Hedman Hedders.