4/14/2010
Sprint Source
Elk Grove's Strange is ready to get back on track at Placerville
Team returns to the track they call home with new sponsorship from QWK Racing Components
[i By Bill Sullivan/Sullivan Images Media]
[b ELK GROVE, CA (4-12-10) –] When he returned to Petaluma Speedway this past weekend, Elk Grove resident Billy Strange was hoping his luck would turn around at the 3/8 mile dirt track located in the heart of the wine country. Strange ended the night in a much improved fashion from his previous visits to the north bay track, but he is looking forward to stepping up his performance this Saturday night when he makes his first start of the year at Placerville Speedway.
"We missed the set up in qualifying," said Strange, who suffered a flip and a motor loss in his previous two visits to Petaluma "We progressively got better throughout the night. I was a little rusty after not driving for almost eight months. We definitely improved from our past races there and for having very few laps it wasn't too bad."
In qualifying, the error in setting up the car hit pretty hard in the Strange Motorsports camp. Strange turned a lap of 15:730, placing him deep on the roster. He was ranked 27th in the running order and spent the rest of the night trying to recover from the first process that takes place in every race night.
"I really have to thank Willie Croft," said Strange. "He gave us a hand and let us borrow a tire to get the stagger closer to what I needed.
After the helpful hand from his racing colleague, Strange returned to the track for heat race competition aboard the 28x sprint car. He started 7th in the third race of the night and crossed the finish line in the same position as he continued to fight his set up while keeping the pace with the field.
The seventh place finish placed Strange in the B-main event later in the program. In this race the top six finishers advance into the 30-lap A-feature. Strange had his work cut out for him as he started in the 11th position and the event was a mere 12-laps in distance. He finished in the ninth position, three positions out of the transfer. The night ended early for Strange and his crew but they still left satisfied without any significant damage like before.
"I still expected more from myself as a driver though," added Strange. "So I'm a little disappointed that I didn't at least make the A-main."
This Saturday, Strange returns to the track he knows best and where he grew up at watching his father, Billy Strange Sr. drive his way to numerous wins. He returns to the Placerville Speedway bullring, a track he considers home to his racing career.
In 2009 Strange made 11 starts at Placerville Speedway. He finished 16th in the overall point standings despite the absences and garnered a solo top ten finish during the year racing among some of Northern California's toughest competitors.
"I'm excited to get back to Placerville," said Strange. "We should be able to put on a good show. I'm shooting for a top five this week to start the season off strong."
Strange plans to compete at Placerville on a regular basis in the weeks to come. He hopes his efforts will gain him eligibility to compete in the Mark Forni Classic in July. The $5,000 to win event requires that a driver compete in five previous races to be eligible for the rich bounty offered by area sponsors. He also plans on making a handful of starts in the traveling Golden State Challenge Sprint Car Tour.
As they return to action this weekend, Strange Motorsports welcome the addition of a new sponsors to the team. QWK Racing Components have teamed with the #28X sprint car for the season to come.
QWK Racing Components is a leader in the development of new technology used in racing with the development of quick release components that replace many common bolt on parts that can be troublesome during quick repairs during a competition.
All products are CNC constructed for light weight and superior strength. The company takes great pride in their products and the opening of new opportunities for the future of racing. Further information on QWK Racing Components can be found at www.qwkracing.com.
In addition to competing in the Civil War Series and at Placerville Speedway, Strange is also planning to run a handful of Golden State Challenge Series events in the year to come. To learn more about Billy Strange and his plans for the upcoming racing season visit his official website at www.billystrangejr.com.
Strange Motorsports has a number of marketing partners that they are thankful for. Among their supporters are ART Enterprises, Rex Hutchison Racing Engines, Kevin Sharrah Designs, Swepco Lubricants, Pronol Race Fuels, MotoWear International, America's Tire, High Country Painting and Amerikote.
[i This press release is a production of Sullivan Images Media, www.sullivanimages.net, for Strange Motorsports 2010.]
Submitted By: Bill Sullivan
