By Susan Arnold
SALINA, Okla. (April 23, 2013) – Joey Saldana, driver of the Motter Equipment Fatheadz Eyewear 71M, hopes that the Salina Highbanks Speedway is the road to redemption.
The World of Outlaws STP Sprint car drivers will gather Friday, April 26 at Salina, a super-fast high-banked track with plenty of racing room.
Fans who were in Haubstadt, Ind. last Saturday night, witnessed some of the best side-by-side, slip sliding, epic races of the season. Saldana and Cody Darrah exchanged the lead for 24 laps of the A-Main before their challenge was derailed by a collision that put both drivers out of contention for the rest of the evening.
“We definitely have a car that can win,” said Saldana. “I know that it’s like feeding time in the shark tank when we’re all out there racing. Adrenaline is high and everyone wants to win.
“We were very disappointed in Saturday night’s outcome. We’re motivated and we’re up for a great night of racing at Salina. I can’t wait to get back in the 71M!”
The Outlaws’ only prior event at this track was in 2011. With new tires this season, the teams that raced here before will only have limited usable data. So it’s pretty much a clean slate with teams trying to dial in their set-ups during a few hot laps prior to qualifying.
Weather forecasts at the present time show a high likelihood of rain in Salina on Friday night. Should Friday night’s activities get washed out, the Outlaws’ contingency plan is to run the event Saturday night.
Saldana is third in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car point standings and has one track record, one quick time, three top five and 10 top 10 finishes so far this season.
He is seventh in World of Outlaws cumulative career victories with 83.