By Susan Arnold
MINOT, N.D. (Aug. 18, 2013) – Second-generation driver Joey Saldana entered the World of Outlaws competition at Nodak Speedway as a co-track record holder (with Sammy Swindell) and a 2010 winner at this event.
Donny Schatz, the current Outlaws champion and defending Nodak Speedway winner, hails from Minot, so all competitors knew he would be especially tough on this track.
In qualifying, Schatz broke Saldana’s 13.217-second record and lowered it to 13.209 seconds. Following Schatz in the qualifying order was Saldana who blistered the track driving his Motter Equipment Fatheadz Eyewear 71M Sprint Car around the high banked 3/8-mile, reclaiming the record and resetting the track record with sole ownership at 13.180 seconds. It was the Motter team’s third track record this season and fifth quick time along with the impressive pole position of the Outlaws’ crown jewel Knoxville Nationals.
In heat race action, Saldana started on the outside of the second row. At the flutter of the green, the field broke with pole sitter Brandon Wimmer leading the field, Brad Sweet second, Cody Darrah third, Greg Wilson fourth and Saldana fifth. Darrah challenged Sweet for second and made the pass claiming second place and that was the only change in the top five transfer positions in the eight-lap heat. At the checkered flag, it was Wimmer, Darrah, Sweet, Wilson and Saldana, all earning starting berths in the A-Main.
Based on his No. 1 qualifying status, Saldana secured a starting position in the all-important dash. After the inversion draw, the Brownsburg Bullet was awarded the fourth starting position. At the drop of the green, pole sitter Darrah grabbed the lead followed by Steve Kinser, Schatz and Saldana. While Darrah was widening his lead, Schatz and Kinser traded second and third position with Schatz ultimately gaining and holding onto second position. After the quick six laps, it was Darrah with the dash win, Schatz second, Kinser third and Saldana fourth. The dash finish determines the way the first five rows line up for the A-Main. Saldana would start on the outside of the second row.
At the conclusion of the dash, Saldana high tailed it back to the team’s pit area where a decision was made to make an engine swap in the 71M.
Armed with a new 900 horsepower bullet, Saldana rolled with the field toward the chalk line that denoted the starting line of the A-Main. When the green came down there was a three-wide battle for the lead between pole sitter Darrah, third place starter Steve Kinser and second place starter Schatz. Cody Darrah went over the edge of the banking in turn two. Saldana went low and took the lead, but the yellow came out when Darrah spun and came to a stop on the track. He was pushed to the work area where the crew changed the ignition box in his car and Darrah joined the field in last position. With a lap not yet completed, Kinser and Schatz became the new front row. The green flew for the second time but the red was displayed before a lap could go in the books when Bill Rose flipped and Brandon Wimmer was also collected in the accident. Third time was charm as Kinser and Schatz brought the field down again. Kinser took the lead while Schatz and Kaeding battled for second, trading second and third positions multiple times. Saldana was running fifth. Kinser hit lapped traffic with six laps complete. The yellow came out with eight laps complete when Ian Madsen and Casey Mack got sideways and spun into turn one. Back to green. Kinser went back to the lead. Kaeding bobbled and Schatz passed him for second position. Pittman and Saldana battled for fourth. Saldana won the battle for the moment but was then challenged by Jason Sides who got by. The yellow came out when Chris Shirek went over the banking in turn two. Back to green with Kinser leading, Schatz second and Kaeding third. Darrah had been making an incredible run from the rear of the field and worked his way up to challenge Saldana and managed to drive around up high. Darrah had battled to third position and suddenly pulled into the infield with an ailing car. With five laps to go, the dogfight continued between Kinser and Schatz. Kinser got sideways in turn four in traffic and that was all it took for Schatz to get by and assume the lead. At the checkered flag it was Schatz taking the victory in his hometown, Steve Kinser in second, Kaeding third, Jason Sides fourth and Saldana fifth.
“It was a tricky track. Most of us were finding the best grip running the bottom of the track,” said Saldana. “Cody (Darrah) seemed to be the only one who successfully maneuvered the high side which was where he made so much progress coming up through the field. We seemed to be doing better as the feature wore on.”
The Outlaws head over the Canadian border for two races in Edmonton, Alberta, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23-24.