6/16/2010
Sprint Source
Mixed results for Strange Motorsports and Chico and Placerville
[i By Bill Sullivan/Sullivan Images Media]
[b ELK GROVE, CA (6-13-10) –] Elk Grove's Billy Strange had a full weekend of racing in two different classes this past week. Strange competed in the opening of Western Speedweek at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico on Friday night and returned to Placerville Speedway for the Red Hawk Casino point series on Saturday night.
On Friday night, Western Speedweek was part of the 2010 Golden State Challenge Sprint Car Series. Strapping in behind his 410 cubic inch powered sprint car, Strange took to the high banks of Silver Dollar Speedway to test his skills against the best of best in California.
"I don't have a lot of laps at Silver Dollar period so I was really happy with how well I did," said Strange. "I thought I was going to be able to hold on to the transfer in the heat race but the sun was so blinding that I missed by mark and I thought I bought the farm for a moment when I did."
After turning the 24th qualifying time of the night, Strange drove to fifth place in his heat race, one position out of the automatic transfer into the A main. Maintaining the fourth position for several laps, Strange put the #28x sprint car up on two wheels in the fourth turn at one point, nearly going upside down and costing him the valued transfer position."
In the semi- feature, Strange started in the eighth position and ended his night finished 9th overall. Not being in the top four when the checkered flag waved ended his night and the team went to work to prepare for the 360 sprint car race at Placerville on Saturday night.
In this event, heavy winds throughout the day wreaked havoc on the track surface at Placerville. The dry-slick track conditions took its toll on the patience of many drivers and Strange was no exception as he battled the tedious conditions throughout the night.
In qualifying Strange was the 15th quick driver with a 10:949. He finished fifth in his heat race and went on to the B-feature. After a race long battle for the transfer position with fourth place Billy Butler, Strange ended up finishing fifth in the semi race and remained out of contention for the 25-lap feature event.
"We pulled the last pill to qualify at Placerville and that was just too big of a hole to come out of all night long," said Strange. "The plus side was that was the best the car had felt and the hardest I've driven it. I just couldn't find room to get by Stephen Allard and Josh Bates. Billy Butler and I had a good battle in the B-main, I just couldn't pull it off so it was disappointing for us."
Strange will now take a week off from competition and return to the track on June 26 for championship point racing at Placerville Speedway. He currently sits 11th in the Placerville Speedway weekly point standings, 67-points from the lead.
Strange Motorsports has a number of marketing partners that they are thankful for. Among their supporters are QWK Racing Components, ART Enterprises, Rex Hutchison Racing Engines, Kevin Sharrah Designs, Swepco Lubricants, Pronol Race Fuels, MotoWear International, America's Tire, High Country Painting and Amerikote.
. To learn more about Billy Strange visit his official website at www.billystrangejr.com.
Submitted By: Bill Sullivan