Salvatore’s Still ‘Soaking In’ Podium Wedding at VIR

Photo: Wes Duenkel/Ford

Newlyweds Paolo and Michelle Salvatore are still ‘soaking in’ their marriage ceremony on the podium following Sunday’s Mustang Challenge race at Virginia International Raceway.

Mustang Challenge Dark Horse Legends competitor Paolo tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, who helps operate his family-run Torre Racing team, after making a deal with her that they would marry should he finish on the podium in a race this season.

Salvatore, in the No. 84 Ford Mustang Dark Horse R, finished third in Saturday’s 45-minute race at VIR, which set into motion wedding ceremonies that took place the following day.

The couple tied the knot, with Mustang Challenge series director Glenn Long officiating the ceremony.

“While [Sunday’s] race didn’t turn out the way I wanted, it was great to have something to look forward to when I got out of the car,” said Paolo, who finished fifth in class after incurring splitter damage in the race.

“It motivated me to make it to the finish line, and I’m glad I did – I’m not a quitter. I battled for a second podium of the weekend to the very end.”

When asked how the unique experience of the marriage on the podium, Paolo said: “I’m still soaking it in, but we did it.”

He added: “I couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was really special. It was cool to hear the announcers talk about it when I was on the grid before the race. Everyone seemed pumped about it, and it was awesome that we were able to share that moment with them.”

Paolo’s wife Michelle, meanwhile, provided further backstory into how the deal came about.

“We’ve always had a relationship with no expectations for what will happen,” she said. “Some people want to have a big wedding when they get married. For us, something as simple as ‘If you can get on the podium, we’ll get married at the track’ was perfect.

“Could we get married at the racetrack anyways? Yes, but the deal makes it more special, tying our on-track lives to our off-track.

“We did a victory lap at Circuit of The Americas once when he won in SCCA Super Tour, and we agreed that was the best moment of our lives and our relationship. The racetrack for us has so much personal meaning.

“The deal itself first came about in Laguna Seca, and people may have thought we were joking, but we really weren’t.

“For this to happen at VIR is extra special. This was the last race track that his mom attended to watch him. We lost his mom last year, and she loved racing, so she would have been his biggest fan today.”

Michelle added that the family atmosphere in the Mustang Challenge paddock couldn’t be any better.

“When the series first came out, we were running and doing well in SCCA, and we only ran Mustangs,” she explained. “When the opportunity came with IMSA, we had to write in our application about why we were worthy of a Dark Horse R and an entry into the championship, which was easy for us.

“This series couldn’t have been a better fit for Paolo and me.

“His first car was a Mustang, and he worked on it with his dad. He has this incredible story of loving Mustang and Ford. Even at our business, we have a fleet of Fords and that’s it.”

She added: “I’m really grateful for Ford. Their support today emphasized that they’re a company of people who care, and who care about us. Often, we are the one doing things for others, so it was really special to have the series do something for us and help make our wedding great. I honestly can’t believe it.”

Chris Ward, Ford Performance’s global one-make series manager, was among those on hand to witness the unique event.

“At Ford Performance, we talk about a racing family, and that was lived at the track today as we witnessed the marriage of our customers and friends Paolo Salvatore and his fiancee Michelle,” he said.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled for the happy couple, and we can’t wait to see them as husband and wife at the next round at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.”

Photo: Wes Duenkel/Ford

Photo: Wes Duenkel/Ford

Photo: Wes Duenkel/Ford

Photo: Wes Duenkel/Ford

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John