From Susan Arnold
Las Vegas, NV — (March 6, 2014) — Joey Saldana doubled down in Las Vegas, taking No. 1 qualifying honors last night and again tonight at the World of Outlaws FVP Showdown at the Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
On the final night of the Nevada double header in front of a record crowd, Saldana drove the Motter Equipment HE&M Saw Beltline Body Shop 71M to quick time of 14.635 seconds.
“It has always been my belief that Joey is one of the strongest qualifiers on the Outlaws tour,” said team owner Dan Motter. “Hats off to our team for giving Joey a great horse to ride.”
Saldana started fourth in the first heat and finished third.
“This was a fast track and there just wasn’t much passing in our heat,” said Saldana. “But we’re in the dash which is so important to get a good starting position for the A-Main.”
Before the inversion draw, Saldana would have been on the pole of the dash. After the inversion draw, Saldana was relegated to the eighth starting position. By the end of the first lap, he had gained two positions. Saldana finished in sixth position but was injured during the event when a piece of race track debris flew through the right side arm guard causing a hematoma on his right arm.
He was transported privately to UMC hospital in Las Vegas where he was under observation to make sure the pressure in the hematoma is relieved. We will send further updates as they become available.
Saldana is in good spirits and regrets not being able to compete. Both Saldana, his family and the Motter family wish to thank all the fans and supporters for their prayers and well wishes.
Lucas Wolfe substituted for Saldana, starting at the back of the field, and tool the green flag in the A-Main to earn the team’s starting points.