By Susan Arnold
ROSSBURG, Ohio (May 3, 2013) – While some of the nation was under a blanket of fresh fallen snow, Chamber of Commerce weather prevailed at the famed Eldora Speedway with temperatures in the low 70s and a slight breeze. The World of Outlaws event tonight, the first of a two-night stand, drew 39 gladiators vying for glory at Eldora, including NASCAR Talladega fly-in drivers Kyle Larson and Tony Stewart, who owns the track.
Continuing his history of outstanding performance at the ‘Big E’, Motter Equipment Fatheadz Eyewear 71M driver Joey Saldana captured the No. 2 qualifying position, negotiating the half-mile track in 13.186 seconds.
Saldana continued to dazzle in heat race number two where he started in the fourth position, but he wasn’t there long. In lap one, the 71M driver made a big move, putting all four wheels over the top, passing first and second place Tim Kaeding and Kyle Larson in spectacular fashion to take the lead. Saldana never looked back, continuing to pull away from the pack, capturing the heat win.
“I grew up watching my Dad race here,” said Saldana, “and it’s always been one of my favorite tracks. It’s a fun place to race.
“Our team owner Dan Motter is at home with his father who is not doing well. We have heavy hearts and send lots of prayers to the Motter family. We would like to make them proud by doing well tonight. It would be very special.”
The dash inversion draw was the No. 8 pill, which relegated Saldana to the No. 7 starting position for this important race, not what he was hoping for. At the end of the six lap dash, Saldana was seventh, and would start seventh for the A-Main.
The 30-lap Feature had its share of drama. Brad Sweet, who won the pole and led the race stretching out to a 1.6-second lead, suddenly pulled off the track and into the pits with a broken sparkplug before the half-way mark. The red flag flew with 16 laps to go when Ian Madsen suffered a mechanical problem that caused him to flip between turns three and four. Madsen was okay. During the red flag delay, the No. 2 Feature starter Sam Hafertepe, Jr. pulled to the trailer with an overheating engine.
Saldana was battling for fifth position late in the race when a piece of debris from the track knocked a fuel nozzle line and the water temperature gauge fitting loose, forcing the 71M to retire from the race finishing in 21st position.
“This really stings,” said Saldana. “We had a strong running car all night long and then to have a freak incident like this put you on the trailer is disheartening. We know our set-up was good tonight and we are looking for a good run here tomorrow.”
Kerry Madsen won the night’s A-Main, followed by second place Craig Dollansky and third place Paul McMahan.