I turn 58 years old this August, God willing and the crick don’t rise. I am a computer programmer who can’t wait to retire. I live with my wonderful wife, Patricia, in Henderson, Nevada, in the foothills of Black Mountain, overlooking the Las Vegas Valley. I have two beautiful and talented stepdaughters, Jure and April. Jure lives in New York, with her husband Tom, and is a published author. April lives in Las Vegas, not far form us, and is a dynamic consulting executive for a mortgage company.
When I was a child, I would spend a week or two with my mother’s family in Woodhaven, Queens every summer. My grandfather would take me to races at a nearby dirt track named Dexter Park. You know you’re getting old when you can say you’ve been to a dirt track in New York City! That’s when stock cars looked like Legend Cars, but big! They also ran sprint cars, midgets and quarter midgets. My dad would take me to Freeport Raceway on Long Island. That closed down in the eighties, but I was able to take April to the races there before they turned it into condos. My father also took me to Islip Speedway, another track on Long Island.
I was hooked on racing at an early age. My father told me that at the first race he took me to, when I was a very young boy, after they flew past to take the green, I turned to him and said, “Daddy, they drove right through my heart!”
I grew up in Levittown, New York, community of the future! I played the drums in a rock and roll band for fifteen years and after that worked as a freelance drummer, backing up country singers, playing jazz gigs, and whatever else came along. I survived the sixties (barely), sobered up in the seventies, married Patricia in the eighties, moved to Las Vegas in the nineties, and joined CR in the 00’s. God only know what’s in store for the 10’s!
I could say a whole lot about the life of debauchery, drunkenness, drug abuse, and white witchcraft that I lived before returning to the church and accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior, but I’ll just say that I am the prodigal son. I have been a clean and sober member of Alcoholic’s Anonymous since 1974. That is where I began my journey back to Him. How He could still love me, a sinner always, is beyond my comprehension. What an awesome God we serve!
I play percussion in the Life Teen Band at the Life Teen Mass at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Community. I get to witness miracles. How great to see kids come to church and watch them change and grow as they come to know The Lord!!!
I joined CR three years ago. It is one of my favorite places in the whole world!
I started Black Mountain Motorsports with Cubfan24 after a discussion we had about me wrecking him in the first lap of the first truck series race I ever ran! That was the beginning of a wonderful experience that just keeps getting better. Go BMM!!! I have met a bunch of friends here. The members of CR are the classiest group of guys you’ll find anywhere. The fellowship, camaraderie, and common bond of our faith, and our love of racing, all transcend whatever social, political, or geological barriers may exist. It is very much like AA that way.
I have begun building drums as a hobby. I absolutely love it! The drummer at church liked the first one I built so much that he bought it! I’m beginning my second one now.
Praise God for all He has done!!
From an unemployable bum, to fellowshipping with you guys!!
What an awesome God!
He is not tame, and He loves us wildly!
Who could ask for more?
Dennis M. Salvage
