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(Bill W) September 17, 2009 – The season is winding down, but there was plenty of sprint car action in the state of Nebraska last weekend. In the middle of it, was “the Tornado” Billy Alley. With stout fields on hand, Billy took a breath from kicking tail in the concrete business and came home with a pair of solid finishes in the Nebraska Cup at Eagle Raceway and a special 9/11 tribute at the Butler County Speedway. A rough ending to his Knoxville season ended things with the 410 a week early. A trip to Eagle where he got upside down on September 6 didn’t help things. Billy didn’t even know if he would be racing last weekend. “I really haven’t been into the racing mentally lately with the way things have been going and with work. I wasn’t even going to race last weekend,” he says. “I was sick on Thursday and Friday. The racecar hadn’t even been unloaded until noon on Friday after crashing at Eagle.” However, racers race, and Billy shot into action. “My other car was sitting there ready to go, so Dan Buss helped me pull the motor out, and we put it in that one,” says the Lincoln, Nebraska driver. “A couple buddies showed up, and ‘Buns’ (Bob Richardson) was there. We got ready for Rising City on Friday night, but it rained anyway.” The race was postponed to Sunday, but the $5,000 to win Nebraska Cup loomed at Eagle on Saturday. Starting at the tail of the first heat, it was all he could do to advance to fifth. “The track was the same as the week before when we crashed,” shares Billy. “The track is really uneven in three and four. It was heavy in the heat. I drew the last number. The last number wouldn’t have been bad in a late heat, but not the first one. It was just hard to pass. I didn’t feel comfortable to go up where the hole was, because you couldn’t see it.” Billy aced the final B main, setting up a feature run from 17th. “We had a good racecar and it felt good in the B,” he says. “We started so far back in the A that it was tough. Everyone was fighting for spots. There was that hole in three and four, and one in one and two that you had to race around.” The #22 surged through the field, but could only get to tenth by the checkers. “There were a couple early cautions that helped, but we needed some later on,” he says. “We could have passed a few more if we had some late. We work so hard to move up in these 360s, then you finish 10th and it’s only $400. That’s tough.” The quaint Butler County Speedway lies just west and north of Rising City. This time the draw was in Billy’s favor. “We drew the pole, but it was slick on the bottom, and Bronson (Maeschen) had a good run on the top,” he says. “We followed him to second, but it wasn’t good enough for the invert. The pole sitters in the heats were out of luck.” The finish set him up inside row five for the main event. The car was on, and he advanced to finish fourth, within striking distance of second and third. “We were able to get around (Brian) Brown for third once, but there was a caution,” he says. “I don’t know if I would have stayed in front of him or not. On the restart, he got his elbows up, and had a good run on (Mike) Boston. I was right on Boston at the end, but we settled for fourth. (Chad) Humston was definitely the class of the field. He had clean air, but he had a great racecar. Congratulations to those guys.” Billy wants to let his fans know that he is alive, and is weighing whether to run a time or two yet this season. “I want to thank all the people that have helped me this year,” he says. “We would like to be racing all over right now, but I’m just behind in the funds department, and that makes it not so much fun. We’re looking for more partners for our race team, and hopefully, we can get something going into 2010.” 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 (Fruitcake Lady Subs)! Substituting this week for Ric Flair, is the late, great, Fruitcake Lady with some good advice… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-1ehDZv6JQ Down the Alley James Everly asks: Do you follow NASCAR? Who is your favorite driver?
Billy answers: I follow it a little. I do watch the races a bit, and like to keep up on it. I like all the guys that have been dirt racers. If Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart or Ryan Newman are toward the front, I root for them. 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 The Nebraska Cup has eluded Billy to this point in his career. Despite having nine wins at Eagle Raceway, none have come at the Cup. In five starts in the event, he has two seconds (’02 and ’04), a third (’08), a fifth (’03) and this year’s tenth place finish. 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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