9-Time NHRA Event Winner Mike Salinas Stepping Away from Top Fuel Dragster

Mike Salinas is out, at least for a while, and Jasmine Salinas is in the driver's seat as Scrappers Racing announced today that Jasmine will be taking over driving duties for her father in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

The team announced today that the 62-year old Mike Salina, who is a nine-time NHRA winner, is stepping out of the car to address some personal health matters.

Jasmine, 32, who earned her Top Fuel license in 2023, will drive the Scrappers Racing/Petersen Automotive Museum Top Fuel entry this weekend at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona, Calif.

“I’m very proud of Jasmine,” said Mike Salinas. “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.”

This weekend's start will mark an earlier-than-expected NHRA Top Fuel debut for Jasmine. Scrappers Racing has been working on fielding a two-car team and hoped to get her in a car sometime this season.

“It’s an absolute mix of emotions as this was not how I wanted the opportunity to come about,” she 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.”