By Susan Arnold
VOLUSIA, Fla. (Feb. 10, 2014) – After an uncommonly cold and snowy Indiana winter, Joey Saldana is itching to get to Florida to get the racing season started. It’s been all too long since he’s had the opportunity to exercise his throttle foot and feel the power of 900 horses propelling a 1200 pound winged Sprint Car chassis around a dirt oval.
The World of Outlaws warriors will begin their season Feb. 12-16 on the half-mile Volusia Speedway Park oval competing in the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment. The All-Star races Feb. 12-13 will allow the competitors to get familiar with the racing surface before three back-to-back Outlaws events in which drivers and teams begin to accumulate points toward the season’s championship.
Dan Motter, owner of the Motter Equipment HE&M Saw Beltline Body Shop 71M Sprint Car is excited about his team’s potential this year. Finishing fourth in World of Outlaws 2013 year-end point standings, Motter says his team is prepped and ready to meet the challenge of the grueling schedule which includes more than 90 race dates.
“Our entire team remains the same for our sophomore season,” stated Motter. “We ended the 2013 season strong. We went through some product changes, but we’re comfortable with everything we’re using on set-ups and tune-ups.
“There is some exciting news coming out of our stable this year. HE&M Saw has come onboard as a sponsor and Beltline Body Shop has expanded its role with our team. These folks are more than sponsors, they are like extended family to us.
“There always seems to be a last minute push when the season starts, but our team
is very prepared and after a season of working together, communication is easier and improved. Preparation plays a big part of success.”
Though veteran shoe Saldana drove in the Chili Bowl in Tulsa, Okla. in January,
he didn’t do his usual Sprint Car stint in Australia during the winter.
“I can’t wait to get in the 71M! The team has been working most of the winter in Minnesota at Dan’s (Motter) shop and right before we headed to Florida, they were
decaling cars at our Indiana car. I’m really getting amped up and excited to hit the dirt and make some laps,” said Saldana.
The Brownsburg Bullet will debut a new helmet in Volusia that pays tribute to the Ezra Brooks bourbon whiskey- sponsored car that his dad, Lil’ Joe Saldana, drove in 1972.
“The helmet I’m going to be wearing is very old school and will make Lil’ Joe proud,” said Saldana. “Shell Shock designed and painted the helmet and I think they hit the concept out of the park. Long-time Sprint Car fans will especially like it. It’s a trip down Memory Lane.”
The new Motter GF1 chassis will sport the same bright yellow custom paint job that fans admired last year. Speedway Engine Development will provide the bullets that propelled the Motter team to three track records, seven quick times, the Knoxville Nationals pole and a win at Silver Dollar Speedway last year. PRO Shocks will be used to put the finishing touches on the set-up.
“Racing is my passion,” said Motter. “If I didn’t think we had a really good chance of winning the championship, I wouldn’t field a car. But I have every confidence in Joey as a driver and every member of our team. We’re ready to drop the green flag on the season!”