THE BATTLE FOR THE MORGAN CUP BEGINS

Joey Saldana. - Bill Miller Photo

By Susan Arnold

 

LINCOLN, Pa. (May 12, 2014)–The Hatfields and McCoys, also known as the World of Outlaws and the Pennsylvania Posse Sprint Car drivers, are gearing up for another shootout Wed., May 14 at Lincoln Speedway before heading to Williams Grove for a doubleheader May 16-17 that includes the presentation of the coveted Morgan Cup.

 

Joey Saldana. - Bill Miller Photo
Joey Saldana. – Bill Miller Photo

The best winged sprint car drivers in the world will begin the week’s racing activities slugging it out in The Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway.

 

“We’re heading into tracks with a lot of racing history and a big fan base and we’re looking forward to getting some good nights of racing under our belts while giving the fans a great show,” said World of Outlaws point leader Joey Saldana, driver of the Motter Equipment HE&M Saw Beltline Body Shop 71M.

 

“When we race in Pennsylvania, the Posse certainly has home court advantage.

It is tough enough racing against the Outlaws, but when you throw the Posse in the mix, the difficulty factor ratchets up tenfold. Pennsylvania has been a hotbed of sprint car racing for decades and it’s always exciting when the Outlaws meet the Posse.”

 

After the Wednesday event at Lincoln Speedway, the teams then travel to the hallowed half-mile clay oval at Williams Grove Speedway for a Friday night duel that precedes the Saturday night Morgan Cup presentation, which is awarded to the organization of the highest finishing Posse or Outlaws driver with the best of two out of three A-Main victories. The Cup currently resides in Concord, N.C. at the World of Outlaws headquarters.

 

This is the fourth year for the Morgan Cup event. Jason Sides won in 2011, Steve Kinser won it in 2012 and Donny Schatz last year.  So far, the Outlaws haven’t left the Cup in Pennsylvania.

 

“Though it’s every driver for himself during the race, as a fraternity there is a lot of Outlaws pride in the fact that we’ve kept the Cup out of the hands of the Posse.”

 

Saldana rates the Williams Grove half-mile oval as one of the most difficult tracks on the circuit before you throw the Posse in the mix.

 

Last year Mother Nature rained on everyone’s parade in May and a downpour caused cancellation of the final race and postponed the presentation of the Cup to the July Summer Nationals competition at Williams Grove. The Posse and Outlaws went into the final race tied with one win each.  Schatz won the Summer Nationals and the Cup stayed with the Outlaws.

 

“We have such a great car this year,” said Saldana.  “We are consistent, we’re fast, and our team is working well together.  I think we should be right in the dogfight every night.

 

“Williams Grove is one of those very special venues that you want to have listed multiple times in the win column on your resume,” concluded Saldana. “You have to bring your A game.”

 

In the rearview mirror:

Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa.  The Outlaws raced here consistently from 1978

to 1998.  They took a hiatus and began racing here again in 2012.  Last year the race

was postponed one day for rain.  Saldana qualified fifth and finished 25th after tagging the wall during the A-Main.

Williams Grove  Saldana won the Summer Nationals at this venue in 2002.  Last year

during the May events, Saldana qualified second on Friday night and finished 12th.  The

Saturday night May race was rained out.