Dan Savage grew up with a steering wheel in his hands, as they say, watching his dad, Dave Savage, compete in Supermodifieds at Englewood Speedway. Dan became a pavement racing fan when Colorado National Speedway was paved in 1989. After watching ultra-competitive Late Model racing at CNS while in high school, Dan received the graduation present that he hoped for when his parents sent him to Buck Baker Driving School in North Carolina. The instructors at the school saw the talent Dan had and offered him a chance to race in the south, which was a hotbed of stock car racing, but Dan said that Colorado “runs in his veins”, and he returned home to build a racing career.
Dave Savage purchased a late model in 1993, and father and son shared some driving duties in the car until Dan earned the seat for good. Dan said: “Those first years were hard. Competition was stiff and we were so green. There were 40+ Late Models racing every night, and we struggled just to make an A Main. It was 2001 before we won our first main event.”
Hard work and perseverance paid dividends, however. With his dad as crew chief providing the mentorship and direction needed, the Savage Race team began winning on a regular basis and moved steadily upward in the yearly standings while becoming a fan favorite in the weekly racing program. Expanding to a two-car team was next, followed by a win in the prestigious Challenge Cup at Colorado National in 2010. The stage was set for a breakthrough season in 2011, when they scored a CNS Super Late Model Track Championship and were crowned NASCAR Colorado State Champion.
Dan began winding his driving career down in the coming years, still enjoying some big victories along the way while some new opportunities presented themselves. Dan served as crew chief for his brother-in-law, Mike Gallegos, and their teamwork resulted in a 2023 CNS Late Model Championship and the promise of more good days to come.
With his driving career in the rear-view mirror, Dan holds special appreciation for friends, race crews, sponsors and fans who made it all possible. In regard to his family, Dan has said: “There aren’t enough words to express the gratitude I have for my mom and dad putting me in a position to live out my dreams behind the wheel of a racecar. I wouldn’t trade the memories for anything.” Dan Savage left his mark on Super Late Model racing in Colorado, earning the respect of his fellow competitors and gratitude from all he helped when needed. Dan joined the ranks of the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2024.
Recent Comments