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Interrogation
by Gary "Hammerdown" Costa

Tribute to "The Champ" Mike Sala

This "Interrogation" is a tribute to someone I look up to, and inspire to be one day. This individuals name is Mike Sala.

A little history on this remarkable man before I begin. Mike has been involved in racing for years. His father and grandfather were involved in our beloved sport as well. Mike has told me many a time; "He nursed on a steering wheel when he was a baby".

Mike woke up one day a few years back and decided he wanted to be a car owner, "When I want to do something, I just do it !" as his words echoed through "our" Sala Racing shop one sweltering night working on the Midgets.

Mike is not only a successful car owner, he is a successful business man too. I've been lucky enough to watch him in his dealings with people in the racing world and in business. I can honestly say, he is strait across the board with everyone. If he says something, you can pretty much take it to the bank. It's one of the many traits I admire about him.

I've known about Mike Sala of course. I've seen his cars race for a number of years. If I'm not mistaken, he started racing Winged 360s with Craig Dillard at the helm.

Some of the drivers that have wheeled the Sala Racing Sprint cars or Midgets at one time or another; Bud Kaeding, Steve Ostling, Damion Gardner, Mark Monico, Josh Wise, Kevin Pylant , David Robinson Jr., Troy Rutherford, Jerry Coons Jr. and the list goes on.

Well, I woke up one day and decided I wanted to learn to work on race cars. I thought about it, tossed it around and got in contact with him, with the help of Sala Racing's driver at the time, Greg Taylor.

I made the right decision. I was able to see racing from another angle, but more importantly, what a car owner like Mike has to deal with on a daily basis.

His commitment to winning is unparralleled. I would meet him at the shop after he and I were done with our day jobs, then get after it on the car or cars, working into the evening. I can honestly say, whether we were blocking the car or washing the trailer, I always learn something from him.

Mike is very meticulous and every move he makes around the race car is calculated, it has meaning behind it. I personally find that to be inspiring.

I know he gives me time to figure things out on the car. He lets me struggle for a bit, then he will come over and show me the easiest way, but more importantly, the right way to get things done.

I can be tightening a bolt on the race car, and he can be on the other side of the shop. Our radio will be banging out the oldies, and he will tell me, "tight enough, that's good" or "tighter!"....That's experience my friends.

Mike won the USAC Western States Car Owner Midget Championship for this season.

I am part of "Team Weldway" Mike's Company,  Weldway Construction. 

When I see him at work, I call him "Champ". I don't mean it in a joking way either, for my happiness for him is genuine.

We missed the whole Championship by a smidgen, but I take my hat off to Jerome Rodela and his team, congratulations !

Our 2005 team also includes driver Robby Flock and wrenches Brian Matherly from Kaeding Performance and Steve "Biggie" Watt from Maxwell Industries Shock Dynos.

In ending, congratulations "Champ" you deserve it.

I raise a cold one to you buddy - "It's like blood to a vampire" Quote by Mike Sala

gary_costa1@yahoo.com

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