Through the Eyes of Billy Wease
Following his first victory with the Auto Value Bumper to Bumper 500 Sprint Car Tour, and his first ever in a sprint car, Billy Wease sat down with the 500 Sprint Car Tour for a short Q&A session. Wease has consistently been a factor in every 500 Sprint Car Tour event he has taken part in, and his first victory at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway came as no surprise. With a new addition to his growing family, and a rejuvenated pep in his step, Wease will look to close out the season strong with more top fives and perhaps a few more visits to victory lane.
Q: Your win at Nashville was not only your first with the 500 Sprint Car Tour, but your first win in a non-wing pavement sprint car. How does it feel to finally reach that achievement after coming so close to it on multiple occasions during the last two seasons?
A: My racing career has been quite the adventure to say the least, from winning a lot at a young age to getting signed with the biggest racing team of all time, Penske Racing, and having it fall apart in a matter of years, it has been the hardest road ever to get back to being able to win at a top level. It took a lot of sacrifices from my wife and I, and also my dad. It takes a lot of money to do this sport and I had to earn it. I have finished 2nd and 3rd too many times to count and no one ever remembers that. To finally get back here means the world to me.
Billy Wease in victory lane at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway - Jack Kessler Photo
Q: How have your racing goals changed from the beginning of your career to now? Is there a mark that you have set for yourself in terms of a racing career, or has racing simply become an outlet for you to compete and have fun?
A: Always looking to progress forward, and having a silver crown opportunity has sure changed a lot of things for me. I have been doing all of the maintenance on both the silver crown car and our sprint car this year. Running both cars has been a struggle at times but running more has been helpful. I am not talking as many weeks off in between races so I feel sharper in the car.
Q: Looking back on when you first started racing to now, what advice would you give young Billy knowing what you know now?
A: Work hard and know your race car, and be able to make it go fast because you can’t always depend on someone to do it for you.
Q: You recently welcomed a new addition to your growing family with the birth of your second child. How have you and your family been able to balance work, life, and racing?
A: It's a tough balance since I’m working and trying to maintain two cars, but all in all, I couldn’t be more blessed.
Billy with his wife Amanda after the birth of their second child.
Q: Next stop is Lorain Raceway Park. What is your excitement about going into the event and do you have any previous experience at or knowledge about the Ohio track?
A: Never been to Lorain, but it looks like a Berlin’ish track, so I think we will be good. (In three races at Berlin Raceway since 2022, Wease has two top-three finishes)
Q: Where do you see yourself in racing 10 years from now?
A: Hopefully I'm still racing at a top level like I am right now. The 500 Sprint car Tour and the USAC Silver Crown series are both at the top of their respective disciplines. I am blessed to be racing at this level with so many great competitors. At this point in my career, I am realistic that a chance at Indycar or NASCAR is slim, but would welcome the opportunity if it came along. I also hope to see my kids following in my footsteps and competing at a top level of racing.
Q: What is your least favorite household chore?
A: Laundry
Q: If we were stuck on a deserted island with another 500 Sprint Car Tour Driver, who would it be and why?
A: Haha I can’t answer that. I don't want to be on an island with ANY of them, not even Bobby (Bobby Santos III, is his brother in law).
Q: What is your favorite Ice Cream flavor?
A: Strawberry
