By Susan Arnold
SALINA, Okla. (April 27, 2013) – Joey Saldana, driver of the Motter Equipment Fatheadz Eyewear 71M, joined a field of drivers with itchy throttle feet at Salina Highbanks Speedway. With rain cancellations at Paducah, Ky. last weekend, Pevely, Mo. this weekend and last night’s event rescheduled for tonight because of rain, the World of Outlaws drivers and crews couldn’t wait to get the action started.
With lots of moisture in the racing surface and cool temperatures, the track was lightning fast verified in qualifying when 20 drivers shattered the existing track record of 12.874 seconds set in 2011 by Craig Dollansky. Leading the pack with his second quick time and track record of the season was Saldana with an astounding 11.177-second lap around the Salina Highbanks.
Saldana started heat one in the fourth position and gained one spot to finish third and transfer to the heat.
As the No. 1 qualifier, the Brownsburg Bullet executed the draw for the dash inversion and drew the No. 8 ping pong ball consigning the 71M to the eighth starting position.
In dash action, track conditions enabled the drivers to keep the throttle down, driving flat out, making it hard to pass. Saldana did gain two positions to finish sixth.
Starting sixth in the A-Main, Saldana gained one position on the first lap. In constant traffic on the 3/8-mile track, passing was difficult. The biggest challenges on the track were among the top three competitors. Saldana drove hard for 30 laps, giving it everything he could, finishing fifth.
Craig Dollansky won the event, Paul McMahan was second and Daryn Pittman rounded out the podium finish.
“We were happy to get the race in tonight,” said the Brownsburg Bullet. “This was a very wet, fast track and it wasn’t as wide as it could have been if Mother Nature had cooperated with less rain.
“All in all, though, it was a good night for our team.”
The Outlaws head to the famed Eldora Speedway for a doubleheader next Friday and Saturday nights, May 5-6.