We haven't seen or heard much from Steve Saleen over the past couple of years. But now he appears to be making a Mustang comeback. Last month, we featured Steve and his 25th Anniversary Concept Mustang on our cover as part of our Saleen 25th anniversary coverage. At the NMRA Ford Nationals in New Jersey, held August 8-10, Steve was on hand for autographs during a special Saleen event hosted by Downs Ford Motorsport. The Saleen Club of America and the Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club served as the official participating car clubs for the event, so there were plenty of Saleen Mustangs on display in the Laurel Mountain Mustang Auto Show.
Unfortunately, heavy rain moved in on Sunday before judging was completed, shutting down the drag racing and prematurely ending the show. For that reason, no Mustang Monthly editor's choice was selected at the event. Due to scheduling conflicts, the event was not rescheduled.
 Steve Saleen was named Grand...  Steve Saleen was named Grand Marshal for the NMRA Ford Nationals at Atco Raceway. |  Nice weather on Saturday attracted...  Nice weather on Saturday attracted a show field full of late-model Mustangs. |  Nicole Scrofani scored a Top...  Nicole Scrofani scored a Top 20 Ford award on Saturday with her bright orange '04 Mustang. |
 In the special Saleen category,...  In the special Saleen category, Michael Bruno took home a Top 10 Saleen award and a Second Place in the '94-'98 Hardtop category with his '95 Saleen. |  With the Saleen emphasis at...  With the Saleen emphasis at Atco, it was only fitting that Mark Sperduto brought his '89 Saleen race car. Originally driven by Steve Saleen and other Saleen drivers in the SCCA Escort Endurance series, the car is unrestored and still shows battle scars from its final race. |  While Saleen and other late-model...  While Saleen and other late-model Mustangs took the limelight at Atco, early Mustangs were well represented by Milt Newton's '73 Mach 1. |
 Joe Masone snagged a couple...  Joe Masone snagged a couple of Saleen awards with his '89 convertible, including Top 10 Saleen and Best Interior. |  Nice '85 GTs are hard to find....  Nice '85 GTs are hard to find. John Richichi's red GT is a clean example of the last of the carbureted Mustangs. | |