From Susan Arnold
Kokomo, IN — (June 5, 2013) — Kokomo Speedway was the first stop for the World of Outlaws in a whistle stop tour through the Midwest this week that includes four races in five days in four states.
Tonight the traveling band of Outlaws competitors were joined by a stellar contingent of local teams from Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Iowa for a total of 43 challengers slip sliding in the dirt on the semi-banked quarter-mile oval.
In preliminary qualifying action, Joey Saldana drove the Motter Equipment Fatheadz Eyewear 71M to the 21st position with an 11.702-second lap.
This translated to a sixth place starting berth in heat race one. In a hard-fought 10-lap event slowed by only one caution, Saldana was able to work his way up to a fourth- place finish which solidified a starting position in the A-Main.
The Brownsburg Bullet took the green flag in the feature from the 19th starting position.
There was a lot of trading places during the 40-lap A-main and many lead changes between Tim Kaeding, Shane Stewart and Kyle Larson on a small track with cars racing on the high side and down low. With 13 laps complete, the yellow flew for Jason Sides who had a flat right rear tire and had come to a stop on the backstretch. Saldana, who was fighting an ill-handling race car, used the caution to pull into the work area. After a quick evaluation by the 71M crew, it was decided that the handling problems Saldana was experiencing were beyond a quick repair and Saldana retired to the trailer.
The event was won by Tim Kaeding, Shane Stewart was second and Greg Wilson was third.
The Outlaws will head for Burlington, Iowa, and a Friday, June 7 event at 34 Raceway.