Saldana Succeeds with Mopar Power, Wins 56th Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions
Mopar-powered World of Outlaws Sprint Series driver Joey Saldana demonstrated a decided flair for the dramatic, waiting until the final quarter of a lap to pass Jason Sides for the victory on Saturday, Sept. 12, in the finale of the 56th Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions. The event took place at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif.
Saldana ran second for the first 39 laps of the 40-lap contest. He used lapped traffic on the final circuit to get a strong run on Sides in turn three and charged around him on the high side of turn four to take the lead and earn his second consecutive and third overall win of the season at Silver Dollar Speedway. It was a series-leading 17th A-Feature win of the season and the 56th World of Outlaws career victory for the Mopar-powered Kasey Kahne Racing Budweiser Maxim driver.
"This is definitely a race you want to win," said Saldana. "The money is good, but it's about the prestige. This is a great race. It has a lot of history and sprint car drivers want to win races like these. It's really not about the money, but the history. It's pretty neat to have won it twice. The first one makes you realize that you can win big races and this one is just as special."
Saldana remains third in the point standings. The World of Outlaws return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Clay County Fair Speedway in Spencer, Iowa, for the third annual Arnold Motor Supply Shootout. For more information on the World of Outlaws Series, visit http://www.worldofoutlaws.com.