A NEW HORIZON As the 2018 seasons begins , Melanie Salemi and her team are in the final steps of preparing for their next challenge : the NHRA Pro Mod Series .
for a 3-speed and non-lockup . And since many of the top NHRA Pro Mod teams have rigorous R & D programs , Jon and engine builder Mike Stawicki have ramped up their efforts in the dyno room .
Jon expects the move to have profound effects on the performance of the cars he tunes across the board . His customers , spread out across numerous regional series , will have his undivided attention when he ’ s at the track with them , and the same goes for “ Purple Reign ”, the lone car he ’ ll tune on the NHRA tour – so far .
“ Right this minute , we don ’ t have any customers running in the NHRA , so we can solely concentrate on our car ,” he says . “ For our customers ’ endeavors with PDRA , NMCA , Northeast Outlaws or any other organizations , we can go to those events with our customers and have more of a focus on their efforts because we ’ re not so wrapped up with what our personal car is going to do . It was a huge business decision for us to make this move to also better serve our customers .”
Call it a strategic business move or a way to please sponsors , but there ’ s no denying this venture over to the prestigious NHRA big stage is about more than improving time slips or passing out more hero cards . No , this is also about the chance to compete for the coveted Wally , an 18-inch-tall , bronze-plated , walnut-base trophy known the world over as the most sought-after prize in drag racing . As NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Steve Johnson once said , “ It ’ s as real as a glass of water but as hard to get as a million dollars .” Countless drivers and team owners have spent well over that figure to get their hands on a Wally . While the Salemis aren ’ t quite prepared to go that far , they ’ re more than ready to put in the hard work and late nights to put their beloved ’ 68 Firebird in the winner ’ s circle .
“ It ’ s such an undertaking to do this , it ’ s crazy ,” Jon says . “ Most people , our non-racing friends , just look at us like , ‘ You guys are crazy .’ The money is one thing , to be able to afford it , but the effort dwarfs the money . If you ’ re determined and you want it bad enough , you ’ ll work hard enough for it .”
“ This is a huge effort between Jon , Jim , and Mike Stawicki , plus all of the guys at our shop and Mike ’ s shop , the kids – they sacrifice a lot too ,” Melanie adds .
Salemi is also quick to point out that Stawicki made one big sacrifice at the beginning of her
Pro Mod career . Rather than continue to drive the Resolution Racing Services / G-Force Race Cars / MSR Performance house car , Stawicki chose to pass on the honors to Salemi , who had just earned her Pro Mod license in Tommy Zarella ’ s supercharged C5 Corvette . “ At the end of the day ,” Melanie says , “ Mike Stawicki believed in me .”
Stawicki will soon have the chance to get behind the wheel again , as there ’ s a brand-new chassis awaiting a ’ 17 Camaro body on the jig at G-Force . He ’ s set to take delivery of the car and the hit the track with it later this season . In the meantime , the Salemi gang will be doing everything in their power to showcase their abilities and reward the sacrifices of their supporters . Their mere participation in the NHRA Pro Mod Series will go a long way towards that goal , but winning ? That would go a whole lot further . Plus , one of those Wallys sure would look nice in the trophy case .
“ Mike took himself out of the seat and put Melanie in the seat to further this whole racing adventure , both at the track and business-wise ,” Jon explains . “ This will be one of the final steps to make that pay off .” - NATE VAN WAGNEN DI
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