WORLD OF OUTLAWS: Saldana enters Skagit on hot streak

DAVID RASBACH - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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Joey Saldana probably couldn't pick a better time to start heating up - though come to think of it, he's been pretty hot all season long.

Saldana picked up his World of Outlaws series high 14th and 15th wins of the season last weekend during the Oil City Cup at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta. Those victories were exactly what he needed as Saldana, currently third in the season points by 112 markers, attempts to chase down defending series champion Donny Schatz and claim his first World of Outlaws season title.

"My goal is to win more races than anyone in the series, and if I do that then hopefully I'll win the points," Saldana said in a press release. "That's what Donny Schatz has preached for the last three years, but this year it is not turning out that way for me. If we don't win it, hopefully we can win the most races out of anybody."

Saldana returns to a place where he knows a thing or two about winning races this weekend, as the series makes a two-night visit to Skagit Speedway in Alger. Racing action starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, and $20,000 awaits the winner of the A Main on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Saldana, a native of Brownsburg, Ind., won in his debut at the 3/10-mile high-banked clay oval in 2002 and is the defending race winner from last season. He won from the sixth starting spot after taking the lead from Jason Meyers on the 32nd lap of the feature race.

He's finished seventh or better in each of his past five races at the speedway.

Last year's race was particularly special considering a number of his crew members are from Washington, as is his car owner, NASCAR Sprint Cup star Kasey Kahne, who used to hold the track record at Skagit Speedway and still calls Enumclaw home.

"The people that are Kasey Kahne fans expect to see the car run well, with it being the No. 9 and having Budweiser on the car and it being his home state," Saldana said. "They want to see it run well, so there is pressure in that aspect."

But Saldana is used to pressure after competing against the top touring sprint car drivers in the nation. And this weekend he'll also be racing some of the best 410 Sprint regulars at Skagit Speedway. Jesse Whitney is the current 410 points leader at Skagit.

"It's a great place to race," Saldana said. "(Track owner) Steve Beitler puts on a good show. He puts a little bit of extra money on the event, and it's always cool to go up there and run well. Being in Washington where my car owner is from, it's neat to be able to go up there and race ... We've had some success there and hopefully we can continue that this year."

GREEN FLAG

WORLD OF OUTLAWS

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 4-5

Where: Skagit Speedway

Tickets: $35 (adults), $25 (juniors 7-17, seniors over 65 and military), $10 (kids under 6)

More information: (360) 724-3567 or skagitspeedway.com

PREVIOUS SKAGIT WINNERS

2008: Jason Solwold and Joey Saldana

2007: Brooke Tatnell and Craig Dollansky

2006: Brooke Tatnell

2002: Joey Saldana

1995: Dave Blaney