By Susan Arnold
ABBOTTSTOWN, Pa. (May 16, 2013) – Lincoln Speedway hosted the Gettysburg Clash, the opening salvo that would signal the start of the annual rivalry between the Outlaws and the Pennsylvania Posse.
After a one-night rain delay, the battle lines were drawn and 43 warriors were ready to throw down.
In qualifying, Joey Saldana, driver of the Motter Equipment Fatheadz Eyewear 71M sprint car and representing the Outlaws contingent, lapped the 3/8th-mile high-banked oval in 13.739 seconds, putting him fifth in the qualifying order.
Starting on the inside of the second row in heat one, Saldana who was down low,
was squeezed coming out of turn two in the first lap and lost position. Riding in the top five, Saldana was challenged for a transfer position by Cory Haas, but at the end of the eight- lap event, Saldana was fifth, earning a starting berth in the A-Main.
Rolling off for the A-Main in the 13th starting position, changes made on the 71M showed a great deal of improvement in negotiating the slick track early in the race. With nine laps complete, while trying to make a move between turns one and two to gain position, Saldana drove over the cushion and caught the wall, rolling the 71M on its side. Saldana was okay but the 71M suffered damage to all quarters of the car and had to be taken back to the pits via the tow truck hook. Saldana was credited with finishing 25th.
“This is part of racing,” said team owner Dan Motter. “I’m pleased we made some tuning improvements on the car’s handling and forward drive.”
Danny Dietrich took the Gettysburg Clash win for the Posse. Finishing second and third, respectively, for the Outlaws, were Donny Schatz and Sammy Swindell.
The Motter Equipment Fatheadz Eyewear team will make repairs to the 71M and will be ready for the Williams Grove doubleheader Friday and Saturday (May 17-18) nights.