Fri, 16 Feb 2007, 12:38 PM Pro Stock Newcomer Bill Windham Anxious to Get Career Off to Good Start in Big-O Tires

Courtesy of Joe Sherk

Chevrolet Cobalt When the right opportunity to go NHRA Pro Stock racing came along, Bill Windham decided the time was right.

"I'm not getting any younger," said Windham Wednesday, shortly before celebrating his 50th birthday. "I guess I'll be the oldest rookie in Pro Stock. I may be starting my new career at 50, but I am young at heart and have a lot of energy. I'm ready to have a 20-year career."

Windham, of El Dorado Hills, Calif., wants to be contending for a starting position in the ACDelco Gatornationals, March 16-18, at Gainesville, Fla. He will be driving the Tire Kingdom/Big-O Tires Chevy Cobalt and be a teammate of veteran driver Kenny Koretsky on Greg Hill's Indicom Electric/Nitro Fish team.

"I am excited," added Windham, owner of multiple Big-O Tire stores in Northern California. "I have been around drag racing for a long time. I started racing in the 1970s."

Over the years, Windham built his racing resume and his ownership of tire stores. He has competed in several NHRA categories and worked as a crew chief and crew member for different teams. He and partner Greg Mitchell own the Big-O Tires/CSK Pro Shops A/Fuel Dragster driven by Garrett Bateman.

Windham holds a Competition Eliminator license and will go through the necessary steps to upgrade to Pro Stock. "And then we will be running the remainder of NHRA's POWERade Series," Windham said. "This is an exciting opportunity for me . . . working with Kenny and the quality organization he and Hill have. It's going to be dynamite. I can't wait to get out there and drive."