Nick Salva Ready for Victory Lane, Title Bid at Stafford
Nick Salva of Prospect, CT will return to the SK Light Modifieds at Stafford Motor Speedway. The driver of the #98 J.G. Poulin Drywall car hopes that the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler is the start of a career year.
“(The) plans for this year are to make a great run at the championship,” Salva said. “The way we stand right now, we have some backing and hope to run a full year, as long as no big problems happen, but the main objective for this year is to win some races and hopefully be in a great spot to run for the championship.”
Salva will also run the World Series at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park and possibly the season finale at Waterford Speedbowl. Salva would like to expand his schedule, but will focus on Stafford with only one car to use.
Salva is looking to rebound from a “very frustrating” season, where he had no top 10 finishes in five starts. “I have very mixed feelings about last year,” Salva said. “We were very fast every time we hit the race track but never had any luck. … The results didn’t show the capabilities of my car and my crew.”
Bob Buffinton is the crew chief for the Bo Gunning owned team. Tom Gunning, Bo Gunning. George Buffinton, and my close friends Joe Massicotte and Kyle Rogers” are the crew members.
J.G. Poulin Drywall is the primary sponsor for Salva. “I would like to add a huge thank you to Jean and his wife Brigitte. They are two of the nicest people that I have ever met and they have helped me so much for this upcoming year. Another sponsor I have is D&D Auto Works (Plymouth, CT). Tim has been a huge help since day one last year and has really kept us going. Del’s Vinyl Siding (Cheshire, CT) and 1st Class Wine and Spirits also help us out. I would also like to thank Brad and the whole crew at NorthEast Race Cars and Shawn at Critical Signs for all their help.”
Salva became involved in the sport around the age of five, when his mother took him and his sister to Stafford. Salva’s stepfather, Tom Gunning, increased his interest in the sport by bringing him to the garage. By the age of 13, Salva attended every night.
Salva eventually got the chance to drive due to Henry Huard, who worked with Salva on Don Silberman’s team when three-time champion Bo Gunning was driving. “(He) is now like a grandfather to me,” Salva said. “(He) bought a DARE Stock for me to drive.”
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com