By Susan Arnold
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 8, 2013) – Joey Saldana has competed in the prestigious World of Outlaws Knoxville Nationals for many years, but prior to this year’s event he did something he’s never done before. During Wednesday night’s competition, he watched from team owner Dan Motter’s suite which gave him a track perspective he’s never had.
“It was a great learning experience,” said the driver of the Motter Equipment Fatheadz Eyewear 71M. “It definitely gave me some information that will be beneficial to not only me, but our whole team tonight. When you’re at track level or even on top of the transporter, you don’t get the same point of view that you get from the suite where you can see the entire track at once and follow the drivers’ different driving lines.
“This competition is so tough that one mistake by the driver or a crew member can put you right out of contention. Everyone in our pit area is extremely focused!”
And last night’s observation deck paid dividends as Saldana drove the signature yellow 71M sprint car to the No. 1 qualifying position, making his quickest circuit in 15.387 seconds.
With the point system used exclusively for the Knoxville Nationals where competitors tally points to earn a transfer position to the Saturday night A-Main big money round, the 200 points earned for the No. 1 qualifying position were important.
“Getting the No. 1 qualifying position was huge,” said Saldana. “Dan (Motter, team owner) had a good pill draw for us tonight. We had some good speed and we want to thank Speedway Engine Development for a great engine.
“Also thanks to the guys on our team for never giving up.
“There’s some tough competition to go yet tonight and you’ve got to be on your game.”
The big smile that Saldana wore after qualifying faded into utter determination in heat one. When the green flew to start the heat, eighth place starter Saldana and sixth place starter Seth Brahmer brushed each other while racing for position. Saldana gained two positions but with one lap in the books, Saldana slowed to a stop on the track with a flat left rear tire. After a brief stop in the work area, the Motter team had the tire changed and Saldana was back on the track taking the final position (10th) in a single-file restart. A fired-up Saldana was a man on a mission as he passed two cars in one lap and then pulled up next to Cody Darrah, racing side by side, got by Darrah, and then passed Rob Kubli for the fourth and final transfer position. Saldana had come from last to finish fourth to transfer to the A-Main, and gained more valuable points.
“That was a crazy race,” said Saldana. “You try to get so much in very little time, but we have a good car and we were able to come back and get a transfer spot.”
Saldana started eighth in the 25-lap A-Main. With two laps complete the yellow came out for Jon Agan who slowed on the race track with a leaking fuel line. Agan made repairs and rejoined the field. A short-lived one lap green saw a three-way battle between Crockett, Brian Brown, and Kerry Madsen with Brown taking the lead from Crockett. Yellow flies for Brian Paulus who spins. Brown brings the field back down again for the restart. With eight laps complete the yellow flies for Agan who stopped again on the track and Brian Paulus who pulled into the pits. Green again. Saldana begins to make a move working the bottom of the race track while battles rage for first, second and third. With 11 laps complete Saldana joined a four-way battle for fourth with Crockett, Stevie Smith and Kevin Swindell. At the checkered flag, it’s Brian Brown with the victory, Kerry Madsen second, Kevin Swindell third, Roger Crockett fourth, and Saldana fifth.
After all the points were totaled for the two nights of competition, Saldana had accrued the most and has won the pole for Saturday night’s Knoxville Nationals A-Main!
“Maybe we were a little bit of a dark horse to some,” said team owner Motter, “but we have always had a championship team and Joey can drive with the best. Tonight they showed the talent that I knew they had all along. To pull this off with over 100 cars on hand is a real tribute to our tenacity and ‘never quit’ attitude.
“Ruth and I are thrilled and very proud of Joey and the team.”