By Susan Arnold
ROSSBURG, Ohio (May 4, 2013) – After a disappointing end to their evening caused by debris on the racetrack Friday night, World of Outlaws driver Joey Saldana was passionate about getting back into the rhythm that had historically vaulted him to the top of the STP Sprint Car class at Eldora Speedway.
And the driver of the Motter Equipment Fatheadz Eyewear 71M immediately settled into his customary ‘Big E’ mojo, leading off with the quickest circuit (13.444 seconds) in hot laps and then kicking it up a notch to set quick time in qualifying with a 13.185-second lap around the famed half-mile track.
Starting fourth in the first heat race of the night, Saldana made his way to second place by lap two. On lap five, the yellow came out for Tony Stewart who rolled to a stop on the front stretch. Stewart did not restart and retired to his trailer. On the restart, Donny Schatz got by Saldana and the Brownsburg Bullet finished in third place.
Saldana would now be assigned a starting position in the all-important dash, based on an inversion draw. The No. 6 pill was drawn assigning the 71M driver to the sixth starting position.
“We had a good car last night and we’ve got a good car tonight,” said Saldana prior to climbing into his car for the dash. “We hope for a better outcome tonight.”
The track was wide and there was action all over the track which made for some thrilling moves during the dash including a great pass by Saldana riding the top of the track to pass Daryn Pittman. Saldana finished sixth, transferring to the sixth starting spot in the 30-lap A-Main.
Pole position starter Brian Brown took the lead when the green flew in the Feature. On lap five, Sam Hafertepe, Jr., Daryn Pittman and Saldana had a three-wide battle for fifth. Saldana got the best run and took the position. The yellow came out on lap 12 when Hafertepe got up against the wall. Leader Brown stopped on the front straight, misunderstanding the World of Outlaws radio call. He thought they called ‘red flag.’ After some deliberation, Outlaws officials awarded Brown his lead restart position.
Two laps later second place driver Brad Sweet began to slow and coasted to a stop on the front straight. He did not return to race action. Saldana maintained fifth position.
There was one more yellow when Sheldon Haudenschild spun in turn four with eight laps to go. Back to green and Saldana battled to the checkered flag finishing fifth.
Daryn Pittman won the event, Brian Brown was second, and Donny Schatz was third.
Car owner Dan Motter, who had originally planned to be at Eldora for the doubleheader, listened to the races on DIRTVision from Minnesota with a heavy heart. Early this morning his father passed away, with his family by his side, as they had been for the past week.
“My dad used to come with us to Eldora back in the 1990s,” said Motter. “I will miss him tremendously. He was an extraordinary man.
“I want to take a minute to thank all of those in the World of Outlaws community who sent their condolences and prayers following the passing of my father this morning.”