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(Bill W) August 13, 2009 – If you would have told Billy Alley he would finish third in the 360 Nationals two weeks ago, he wouldn’t have believed you. The Lincoln, Nebraska driver was treading water in the 360 game, with no end in sight. A confidence builder at Wichita gave him what he needed…confidence in his racecar. Tonight the Knoxville Nationals begin, and he will be ready. Billy started out his qualifying effort for the 360 Nationals at Knoxville with quick time on Friday night. “We didn’t have to do much guess work,” he says of the effort. “We knew what the car would do from last year. Everything worked out well. I drew well for time trials and that kind of set the stage for our 360 Nationals.” With the advantage of moving up a row in the feature, Billy started sixth in Friday’s prelim. He drove a solid race, despite fighting an ill-handling racecar and finished third. “We missed the setup a bit, but I knew we could make it better for Saturday,” he says. “We were a little bit tight at the end of the race.” With the best point total amongst the 109 competitors, Billy started on the pole for Saturday night’s $10,000 to win finale. He was trying to become the first driver to win the 360 Nationals three times. He ran a solid race in second behind Terry McCarl, until a red flag emerged with four laps to go. “I think if the red hadn’t have come out, we would have been better off,” he laments. “There was a part in the race where McCarl wasn’t that much faster than us. Without the red, I don’t know that we would have won, but we would have been second. When the fuel load got off, I was going really well. It was on a rail.” A duel with Wayne Johnson fell short late, and Billy settled for the third podium slot at the checkers. “The thing I was disappointed in was when you are that close, I feel you need to take advantage of those opportunities,” he says. “It would have been nice to be the first to win three of them, but third is o.k.” Still things worked out well considering the lack of luck lately. “If you would have told me a month ago, that we would have had that much success in the race, I wouldn’t have believed it,” says Billy. “We work hard at it, and Wesmar got our motor done for us.” Pulling double duty, Billy struggled in qualifying amongst a 42-car 410 field on Saturday at Knoxville timing in 19th. He finished second in his heat. “That was kind of worrisome for Thursday night (Nationals),” he says. “I expected to do better. Hopefully, we can get a draw and I can make one good lap out of two.” Billy made up for it in the feature, earning hard-charger honors by storming from 16th to fifth at the finish. “We were good in the feature,” he says. “The track was demanding. Usually, Knoxville is smooth, but Saturday it was a little rough. It wasn’t the normal Knoxville, and I think a lot of the guys were too free. We were good.” Things get busy tonight with qualifying for the Nationals. Billy will be appearing at the National Hall of Fame and Museum as part of a Fan Forum today at 1:30 p.m. 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! We need someone like Ric Flair in racing. It’s Nationals time! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nvc_ehd_jB0&feature=related Down the Alley Bill W asks: How are you feeling heading into tonight’s qualifying night?
Billy answers: I’ve thought about it since last year got over. Once we get our qualifying lap in, it will be easier. Those two laps make or break your Nationals. If you don’t time in the top 20, you’re in big trouble. With the competition the way it is, you have to be up there. Usually, that is one of my fortes. I don’t know why, but we’ve struggled with that this year. 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 has made three finales at the Nationals (2005, 2006, 2008). He was high point getter in 2005, after finishing 4th in his prelim. He finished 17th on Saturday that year. Last year, he repeated his prelim finish, but came home a career best 14th on Saturday after falling back to the rear of the field. 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, K&N Filters, Pella Motors, Stepping Stone Genetics, Awesome Racewear, Hoosier Tire, Wesmar Racing Engines, McLain Motorsports, The Buckles Brothers, F&K Rod Ends, “High Roller” the Pig Farmer, JEI Chassis, Red Devil Brakes, Harris Decals, Penske Shocks, RCI, and Terry’s Body Shop.
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