Mike Salinas (drag racer)
| Mike Salinas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | April 27, 1961 San Jose, California |
| Related to | Jasmine Salinas (daughter), Jianna Evaristo (daughter) |
| NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series career | |
| Debut season | 2011 |
| Current team | Scrappers Racing |
| Wins | 9 |
| Fastest laps | 3.647 seconds / 338.26 mph |
Michael George Salinas (born April 27, 1961) is an American NHRA drag racer. He is the father of drag racers Jasmine Salinas and Jianna Evaristo.
Racing career[edit]
Early career[edit]
Salinas was introduced to racing by his dad who raced during the 60’s and 70’s at Fremont Drag Strip and Little Bonneville in California. From 2001 to 2009, Mike began competing in the Nostalgia Eliminator 1 and 7.0 Pro Class at his home tracks in Bakersfield and Sacramento. In 2009, he decided to pursue his professional license and received his NHRA license in Top Fuel at the Texas Motorplex.
NHRA Top Fuel Dragster & Pro Mod[edit]
In 2011, Mike made his professional debut in NHRA Top Fuel on a part-time schedule. I wouldn't be until 2018 where he would begin racing on a full-time schedule.
In 2021, he made his Professional debut in a second category, Pro Mod, competing in the NHRA E3 Spark Plugs Series while simultaneously competing in Top Fuel.
Throughout his professional career he has secured 9 event wins, reset multiple speed and track records, and became the first person in Motorsports History to reach 300 mph in the 1/8th mile.
Career highlights[edit]
2017
- Earned a career-best two round wins.
- Qualified for the Auto Club Road to the Future Award[1]
- Reset career bests in time (3.779) in Sonoma and speed (324.90) in Pomona.
- Qualified at all seven races he attended.
2018
- Reached NHRA Countdown to the Championship for the first time[2]
- Made first final-round appearance in Bristol
- Reset career bests in elapsed time and speed
2019
- Earned first career win in Las Vegas[3] (spring) and went on to win in Bristol
- Raced to a career-best elapsed time and speed
- Secured five No. 1 qualifier positions
2021
- Picked up second straight win at Bristol[4]
- Advanced to four final rounds
- Earned two No. 1 qualifiers
- Finished a career-best third in points
2022
- Finished in the top five for a second straight year
- Won a career-best four races
- Advanced to six final rounds and was the points leader for two races[5]
- Picked up three No. 1 qualifiers
2023
- Made motorsports history with the first 300 mph 1/8th mile run at Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals[6]
- Qualified for Pep Boys All Star Shootout
- Made the 3rd fastest pass in NHRA History with 338.26 mph at Brainerd International Raceway, making him the fastest Man in NHRA[7]
Personal life[edit]
Salinas is of Mexican-Commanche-Spanish descent. His family resides in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. He is the father of NHRA Top Fuel driver Jasmine Salinas and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Jianna Evaristo.
When he's not racing, Mike and his wife, Monica, along with his daughters, have been running their family-owned business, Valley Services, since 1986.
Motorsports Career Results[edit]
Top Fuel[edit]
| Season | Series | Races | Wins | RU | #1 Pole | Points | Position | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Mello Yello | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 268 | 18 | |
| 2018 | Mello Yello | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2308 | 7 | ||
| 2019 | Mello Yello | 21 | 2 | 5 | 2381 | 7 | ||
| 2021 | Camping World | 19 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2614 | 3 | [1] |
| 2022 | Camping World | 21 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2461 | 4 | [2] |
| 2023 | Camping World | 21 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2465 | 5 | [3] |
| 2024 | Mission Foods |
References[edit]
- ^ staff, NHRA com. "Seven rookie candidates eligible for 2017 Auto Club Road to the Future Award". NHRA. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- ^ Horrall, Zach. "NHRA: These drivers are new to No. 1 qualifying spots at U.S. Nationals". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- ^ Illustrated, Drag (2019-04-08). "Mike Salinas Earns First Career Top Fuel Win At Vegas' Four-Wide Nationals | Drag Illustrated | Drag Racing News, Opinion, Interviews, Photos, Videos and More". dragillustrated.com. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- ^ "How Mike Salinas And Alexis DeJoria Just Made NHRA Points Races Even More Interesting At Bristol".
- ^ "Salinas gains Top Fuel points lead with NHRA win". ESPN.com. 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- ^ Rosales, Chris (2023-09-26). "NHRA Top Fuel Dragster Blows Past 300 MPH in 1/8-Mile, Sets All-Time Record". The Drive. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- ^ "NHRA Top Fuel Racer Mike Salinas Records Third-Fastest Pass In Series History".