By Susan Arnold
MESQUITE, Texas (April 16, 2014) — The World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car teams will return to their roots Friday and Saturday, April 18 and 19, at Devil’s Bowl Speedway for the Texas Outlaw Nationals presented by American Racing Custom Wheels.
Formed in March of 1978 at this Texas Speedway, the World of Outlaws raced at the Devil’s Bowl unique half-mile oval until 2003. Now, more than a decade later, the Outlaws will return to their birthplace for a homecoming of sorts which will include a reunion of racers from throughout the history of the series.
In Texas vernacular, ‘it ain’t the first rodeo’ for the Saldana family or for team owner Dan Motter. Li’l Joe Saldana earned the inaugural Devil’s Bowl victory in 1974 before the Outlaws were Outlaws. When Joey scored his first victory in 2001, they became, and still remain, the only family to have a father, son victory at this track. Joey also notched a second victory at this track in 2002.
In 1995, driver Stevie Smith drove the Motter 71M car to victory circle. Motter is out of the country on business and hopes to return to the United States in time for Saturday’s green flag.
The Brownsburg Bullet likes the D-shaped, high banked half-mile oval that was built to provide a great view for every grandstand seat in the house. The curve on the back straight is 15 feet higher than the front straight allowing the fans to see every dip and dive, slip and slide.
“This is a great area full of sprint car fans,” said Saldana, “and I’m glad we’re returning to race there. The excitement is really building and it is cool that some of the former racers will be there to celebrate.”
Besides bragging rights, the incentive to win Saturday night’s show at Devil’s Bowl is a sweetened purse: $20,000 to win and $1,000 to start.
The high stakes racin’ doubleheader in Mesquite is fixin’ ta commence. The Outlaws are back in town.