Nick Salva Looking To Win At The Budweiser Blastoff

Nick Salva has an added incentive when it comes to the opening 80-lap SK Modified feature this weekend at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.

Waterford, CT- The better he finishes, the more often he can race.
His future is contingent on how well he can wheel his modified during qualifying Saturday at the feature Sunday.
Unless someone on his team hits Powerball between now and the season opener, his racing plans are very simple — he’ll take it one race at a time.
“We’re doing as much as we can afford, and the only deal we have right now is for opening weekend,” Salva said. “We have a shoestring budget. The only way we can keep the car going is by winning races. The more success we have, the more we can race. It’s all or none with us.”
One of the positives Salva has in his tool box is past success SK Light success at the Speedbowl. In three starts, he has one win and one second place finish.
“I had a good time in the SK Light at the Bowl and I think that can carry over to the SK,” Salva said. “The car is going good right now.”
Salva already has one race under his belt in 2018, the Thompson Icebreaker.
“We had a good car, but the driver made a mistake in qualifying and that gave us a poor starting spot in the feature,” Salva said. “But we were able to bounce back with as sixth-place finish.”
“We’re going to the Bowl to win,” Salva said. “I really think we have a Top 3 car. I plan on sending it in as often as I can.”
Salva’s sponsorship list includes K&J Automotive of Wolcott, SK Rod-Ends and Northeast Race Cars. His crew members are Glenn Jensen, Tom Gunning, Erik Santarsiere, Troy Andros, Jim Newmark and George Buffington.
In addition to his SK Modified duties, Salva plans on competing in the Tri-Track series in a Modified owned by Wayne Darling.
“I’m signed up for all four races, starting at Claremont,” Gunning said.
His SK schedule, however, is more up in the air.
“We’re going for the big money,” Salva said. “The SK motors need to be refreshed every 10 races. Since we don’t have the money to refresh our motor, we can only run 10 races. That’s why we need some success.”
He’s had success in the SK Lights with four career wins. Now he’s looking to make a major breakthrough in the SK Modifieds, a breakthrough he thinks may be just around the corner.
“That would be spectacular,” Salva said. “It’s been a childhood dream on mind ever since I started watching my uncle, Bo Gunning since I was 5. I dream about winning in an SK.”
The more success Salva has, the closer to reality that dream will be.
The 80-lap SK Modified feature is one of 15 feature attractions scheuled for the 2018 Blastoff on May 5 and 6.
Saturday’s features include the Valenti Modified Racing Series, the NEMA Midgets, the NEMA Lights, the TQ Midgets, the Ct. Pro 4 Modifieds, the Bandoleros, the X-Cars and the Super X Cars.
Sunday features include the SK Modified, the Late Models, the Sportsman, the Mini Stocks, the Late Models, the SK Lights and the Pro Trucks.
Success for Salva means more racing
Press release from New London Waterford Speedbowl
For more information call Mike Serluca at 860-442-1595 or e-mail mikes@speedbowlct.com