Jasmine Salinas will make her NHRA Top Fuel debut this weekend at Pomona as she takes over driving the Scrappers Racing dragster from her father, Mike.
Mike Salinas, 62, is stepping back from competition to tend to personal health matters.
“I’m very proud of Jasmine,” Mike said. “I look forward to returning to the driver’s seat once I am ready. Jasmine has got the best crew in drag racing, led by Rob Flynn, Arron Cave, Adem Cave and Troy Fasching. So, there’s no doubt in my mind that this Scrappers Racing team is going to be a force at the track. They are just as confident in her as she is in them.”
The 32-year-old Jasmine spent much of 2023 working on earning her Top Fuel license, planning to move into the class this season. Scrapers Racing, the Salinas family team, had been seeking funding to run two cars with Jasmine and Mike as teammates.
Jasmine finished tied for second in the Top Alcohol national championship standings in 2022. Salinas earned three No. 1 qualifiers that season and won at Gainesville and Dallas.
Salinas will pilot the Scrappers Racing/Petersen Automotive Museum Top Fuel dragster this weekend.
“It’s an absolute mix of emotions as this was not how I wanted the opportunity to come about,” Jasmine said. “I’m incredibly grateful that my dad has entrusted me with the chance to step up into his place. I know that I have some big shoes to fill. My dad and his entire team have worked hard to make a name for themselves in this sport, and I want to make them all proud.”
Mike earned two Top Fuel wins in 2023 and finished fifth in the championship. Salinas also made history by becoming the first driver to run 300 mph at the 1/8-mile when he did so during the final round of qualifying at zMAX Dragway last fall.