Interview by Mary Lendzion
Photos by Mary Lendzion and Fastest Street Car Staff
Drawn to competition, Mike DiDomenico has successfully raced several cars in several categories through the years.
But it’s the 1968 Camaro that he currently campaigns in NMCA VP Racing Lubricants Xtreme Pro Mod that pumps his passion for close competition and awe-inspiring accomplishments.
The car built by G-Force Race Cars and boasting a Brad Anderson Hemi prepared by Rage Fuel Systems, MBE heads, Brad Anderson intake, SSI supercharger and Liberty’s five-speed has delivered DiDomenico to an incredible 3.68 and to wins while flying banners for Robots Done Right, Tub O’ Towels and CNC Performance Products, but it’s in his blood to want to go even faster and to win even more.
With him every step of the way is his son, Sal, who is his crew chief and tuner, as well as his business partner for their shop, CNC Performance Products in Ohio, and there is no denying that the father and son, who are equally dedicated and determined, make a powerful pair.
And while they’re focused on being fierce at the races, they’re also focused on family, whether it’s their family, or other families who visit their pit area. In fact, they often invite children, and adults, to sit in the race car, and have their picture taken with it.
Read on for an interview that begins with Mike, who is married to Kathy and flies his Cirrus SR22 to the races, and ends with Sal, who is engaged to Brittany Fiktus and drives the rig to the races.
AS A FATHER, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE YOUR SON, SAL, AS YOUR CREW CHIEF, TUNER AND RIGHT-HAND MAN?
MIKE: Sal has been with me and spending quality time with me since he was younger. He was just seven or eight when he started watching me race, and what’s so wonderful about my current car is that Sal and Mike Kopchick from Rage Fuel Systems really click. Mike was not afraid to teach Sal everything about the combination because he could see how Sal wanted to learn about it and how much potential he had. Most of all, working on the car with my son is all about the memories we’re making. I’m very lucky, and I know that.
