By Susan Arnold
PENGILLY, Minn. (Feb. 6, 2014) – Dan Motter announced that Beltline Body Shop will increase its sponsorship participation with the Motter Equipment HE&M Saw 71M World of Outlaws sprint car team and driver Joey Saldana for the 2014 season.
Based in Hibbing, Minn., Beltline Body Shop is one Minnesota’s largest volume collision repair specialists north of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
“Lonnie Olson, Beltline’s owner, first painted my race car in 1976,” explained Motter. “That was 38 years ago, and Lonnie and I have formed a fast friendship so to speak. We both enjoy racing and besides being involved with our sprint car team, Lonnie and his son Chris own a first class Dirt Late Model team that Chris drives in the upper midwest.
“Lonnie understands all aspects of what it takes to assemble and field a successful race team. He was very involved with our race team in the 1990’s as a sponsor, crew member, truck driver and whatever else was needed. Now that we are back on the World of Outlaws trail, Lonnie’s help, friendship and support are a real asset to our team. He also helps us with a truck & trailer to shuttle our GF1 cars back & forth between the Minnesota and Indiana race shops and to the team on the road when needed. He goes to quite a few races as well, and he is able to assist the team at the track with just about any duty needed on race night.
“He has been one of my best friends for over 30 years and I am excited to have him back involved with our team. He has the same desire to win and succeed as I do.
“He will be with us in Volusia next week as we kick off the 2014 World of Outlaws Sprint Car season.”
Veteran sprint car driver Joey Saldana drove the Motter 71M Sprint Car to fourth place in final World of Outlaws point standings last season. Highlights of 2013 included a win at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California Sept. 6 and capturing the pole of the coveted Knoxville Nationals in August.