CONCORD, N.C. — After completing the most successful campaign of his career with the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series this past season, Joey Saldana returned to action on Saturday night in New Zealand and picked up a $20,000 victory.
Saldana was teamed with fellow World of Outlaws driver Craig Dollansky for the always potent Salter Motorsports team. The pair took to the track at TeMarua Speedway in Wellington, New Zealand for part of the international sprint-car season on Saturday night.
Saldana lined up fifth for the 30-lap A-feature aboard the No. USA63 machine. He moved into third on lap eight, with a pass of Greg Pickerill. Just three laps later he moved into second, getting around multi-time New Zealand champion Allan Wakeling.
The native of Brownsburg, Indiana then patiently tracked down leader Kerry Jones and made the pass for the lead and ultimately the win on the 20th lap.
“We had a very good night and it feels great to win,” said Saldana. “The cool thing is that I jumped in the car and in our first time out, we had a strong run.”
Dollansky finished sixth.