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One of the world's top two sprintcar drivers, Joey Saldana, has given up a family Christmas to race in the international series at Arena Manawatu on Saturday. Saldana, who finished behind Donny Schatz at the world final at Knoxville and was runnerup in the World of Outlaw series, is favourite for the Robertson Holden Speedway after winning at Te Marua last Saturday. Despite that, he said he was badly missing his wife and four-year-old son, Reece. "My son phoned me and he had something at school and was crying because I wasn't there . . . it does sometimes make me wish I was back home. "But racing sprintcars professionally is my job . . . it's given me a great life and my family a comfortable living. If there's an opportunity to race, I'm going to do it." Saldana comes from a racing family. His father, Joe, was a winner at Knoxville and also an Indy-car driver until he retired. Saldana's wife, Shannon, fully understands that he needs to race. "I'm 35 years-old and still improving, so I need to race as often as I can. It's been a great life. I'd never have been able to afford to travel to places like New Zealand and Australia otherwise." Saldana races for one of the big teams in the US, which is owned by top Nascar driver Kasey Kahne. -- Manawatu Standard (New Zealand)

US driver set to wow crowds - Speedway - Manawatu Standard