ABBOTTSTOWN, Pa. (May 13, 2015) –The Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway tonight launched a three-race grudge match between the World of Outlaws and the Pennsylvania Posse. It was also the first of five races in seven days in three states.
Joey Saldana, who was 36th out of 47 drivers to take to the track for time trials, drove the Motter Equipment HE&M Saw Beltline Body Shop 71M to the No. 20 qualifying spot with a best lap of 13.338 seconds.
The Brownsburg Bullet pushed off sixth on the starting grid of the fourth and final heat. When the track went green, polesitter Brent Marks assumed the lead and Saldana was on the move advancing to second by the halfway mark. Marks won the heat, Saldana crossed the finish line second and reserved a starting position in the A Main.
In tonight’s feature 28 drivers took the green for the 35-lap event, including two provisional Outlaws starters, Donny Schatz and Craig Dollansky, along with two Posse provisional starters, Kyle Moody and Cory Haas. There were 17 Pennsylvania Posse and 11 World of Outlaws drivers. Saldana rolled off 20th in the starting line-up.
Polesitter Greg Hodnett led the field when the green dropped. With only two laps completed the yellow was displayed and competition slowed. On the restart, Saldana, Brian Montieth, and Lance Dewease tangled in turn one. Saldana, caught in the middle, was hooked up with Dewease. In order to take the time necessary to untangle the two cars, Outlaws officials called an open red flag. Saldana returned to competition. Back to green. Hodnett still paced the field. Two more laps and another yellow. Back to green and two laps later, lap six, yellow again. During this caution Saldana went to the work area. The 71M team made adjustments and sent the Bullet back into battle. Hodnett led from flag to flag. Score one for the Posse.
Stevie Smith finished second and Ryan Smith crossed the stripe third.
Saldana finished 22nd.
“We were never able to recover from the late qualifying draw,” said team owner Dan Motter. “Track position was key here and we never able to get the lasso out to pass many cars. And we kept getting bounced around like a ping pong ball on the track.
“This was a disappointing night for everyone, especially our Pennsylvania crew. “We will hope that Lady Luck treats us better in the Williams Grove pill draw.”
Tomorrow is a travel day as competitors head for the Friday-Saturday Morgan Cup at Williams Grove.
