The latest update as of April 24, 2025
What's Happening in NHRA Drag Racing
The 2024 season dawned brightly for the Scrappers Racing team, as patriach Mike Salinas qualified well and went to the second round at the season opening Gatornationals. He was scheduled to be joined by his daughter Jasmine Salinas at some point during the season as they ramped up to a full-tilt two-car team. That plan went sideways very quickly as Mike had to vacate the cockpit after that first race of the season due to health issues. Jasmine's debut in competition was advanced to the second race on the schedule, the Winternationals at their "home" track in Pomona.
It was tough first few months in the class for Jasmine, despite her two years of competing in an A/Fuel Dragster under the direction of Rich McPhillips. It took four races before she advanced past the first round at the Charlotte 4-Wide Nationals, then four more races before her second round win. Until the final race of the season, at Pomona's World Finals, she had racked up a total of one DNQ, 14 first round losses, and just three round wins. Her fortunes turned around at Pomona somewhat as she got out of the first round for the first time in nine events as she finished the season in 13th place in the Top Fuel standings.
This season started on a so much better note as she went to the semifinals at three of the first four races and had a first round win at the other event. That great start to the season had her sitting in the #5 spot in the standings going into this weekend's American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at Charlotte's ZMax Dragway. Unfortunately, an announcement early this week derailed her sophomore season in Top Fuel.
Jasmine Salinas will not compete in the next few NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events, including the American Rebel Light NHRA Four-Wide Nationals near Charlotte. The driver of the Valley Services Scrappers Racing Top Fuel dragster is currently ranked fifth in the points standings but has not secured the necessary sponsorship to continue racing.
Salinas will also miss upcoming events in Chicago and Epping, N.H., but hopes to return to competition in June. Despite this setback, the team will focus on staying mentally sharp and maintaining their momentum, as they are one of only three teams without a first-round loss this season.
"I'm definitely disappointed," Salinas said. "Our team has really been coming together, and we are making incredible progress. We've been working really hard on trying to secure sponsorshi. This is a tough reality of the racing business, but now is the time when you fight even harder for what you want." Salinas emphasized the team's resilience and problem-solving abilities. "This is just a plot twist that we'll get through together as a team," she added.
Hopefully they can acquire enough sponsorship help to get the team on track again and continue on their upward performance trajectory as soon as possible.