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(Bill W) August 19, 2009 – The Knoxville Nationals didn’t go the way Billy Alley planned. The Lincoln, Nebraska driver suffered from mechanical gremlins all week that ultimately landed him with a DNF in Sunday’s B main and put the rest of his 410 season in serious jeopardy. He’ll head to Jackson Speedway in Minnesota Friday and Saturday to try to defend his title as Jackson Nationals champion.
Things looked good on Thursday after a nice pill draw put Billy on the frontstretch. However, the track threw most of the local drivers a loop. “The track was a little tricky qualifying,” says the 2006 track champion. “It was greasy on the bottom and slick right off of that. It was different than any we’ve had this year. To draw a good pill like we did, timing in 24th was disappointing.”
Billy lined up fourth for his heat race, and ran third much of the way. Tim Kaeding, who would win the night’s feature, slid by him on the last lap for third. “It stunk to get passed by Kaeding, but the important thing in the heat races at Nationals is getting a transfer spot, and we did that,” he says.
Trouble began in staging for the feature, when Billy brought the #22 to a stop. He was to start the main event 12th. “I felt a vibration right away, and we pulled it into the work area to see what it might be,” he says. “I made a few laps and pulled it in. It wasn’t worth risking something more serious. That really cost us any shot at making the show.”
The crew thought the U-joint may be the culprit, and replaced the entire driveline for Friday’s C Scramble, in which Billy started tenth. “We were three points out of the B, so you think about what might have been,” he says. “On paper, our scramble run (10th to 5th) looks good, but the truth is, we gained all those spots on the first lap. We didn’t go forward from there.”
After a lengthy rain delay on Saturday night, the C main was the fastest in the history of the track. Both winner, Wayne Johnson and Billy were well under the former track record held by Clint Garner. “Whoever won the race to turn one was going to win it,” says Billy. “Wayne did that. We were just on cruise control from there on out.”
After more rain postponed things to Sunday, Billy started scratch (22nd) in the B main. He had a towel in had pre-race. “I was not a happy camper going in,” he shares. “On Saturday night, someone decided to block our truck in, and the car sat in the rain in the infield all night.”
When the car hit the track for the B, it was evident that another DNF was in the offing. “It was shaking badly on lap one and I should have pulled off, but I was mad,” says Billy. “Good thing there wasn’t an in-car camera. My young fans wouldn’t have been proud of me. I think the same driveline problem we had on Thursday, we had on Sunday. The engine is hurt, and I don’t know that we’ll be able to run it the rest of the year.”
Billy will get the 360 ready to head to Jackson determined to defend his $5,000 win there. “We’re really looking forward to Jackson,” says Billy. “We usually run well there, and the fans are always great up there. Hopefully, we can give them a good show again.” 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. Headed to Chi-town and New York! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APH8Hpsutx4 Down the Alley James Everly asks: You did really well on Hoseheads Radio. Do you have fun doing that sort of thing?
Billy answers: Hot Rod and the “Legend” are awesome to work with. I hear a lot from people after I’ve been on there. I just try to be my goofy self, and people seem to like that. We went for seven hours Wednesday night with the rain delay, but it only felt like 6 ½! 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’s podium finish at Jackson Speedway in April gave him podium finishes in his last three races there. He is the defending champion of the Jackson Nationals, having topped Brian Brown, Wayne Johnson, Gregg Bakker and Johnn Cressman in August of 2008. Billy took the lead from Brown on lap two of the 25-lapper and collected $5,000 for the win. 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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