MIKE SALINAS
NHRA TOP FUEL DRIVER
Mike Salinas is an American NHRA Top Fuel drag racer and owner of Scrappers Racing.
He began his professional racing career in 2011 and has since secured nine event wins, setting multiple speed and track records. Notably, in 2023, Salinas became the first driver in NHRA history to reach 300 mph in the 1/8-mile.
Beyond racing, he manages his family-owned business, Valley Services, along with his wife, Monica, and four daughters.
300 mph in 660 ft
His Story
Mike Salinas, a prominent figure in NHRA Top Fuel drag racing, has achieved significant milestones throughout his career. He began racing in the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, competing in the Nostalgia Eliminator 1 and 7.0 Pro Classes, where he honed his skills from 2001 to 2009.
Since earning his Top Fuel license in 2009 and debuting professionally in 2011, he has secured nine event wins and set multiple speed records. Notably, in September 2023, Salinas became the first driver in NHRA history to exceed 300 mph in the 1/8-mile, reaching 300.80 mph during the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals. He has also recorded one of the fastest runs in NHRA history with a speed of 338.26 mph at Brainerd International Raceway, making him the fastest man in NHRA Top Fuel.
In 2021, he expanded his horizons by venturing into the Pro Mod category in the NHRA E3 Spark Plugs Series, demonstrating his versatility and ever-evolving mastery of the track. His prowess culminated impressively, securing a formidable 5th place in the National Standings in 2022.
Under Mike's visionary leadership, Scrappers Racing has transformed into a powerhouse, a full-time operation where his daughters stand as testaments to their father's indomitable spirit, driving with fierce passion and skill. The Salinas family, united by their shared love for speed, travels the circuit as one, their bonds strengthening with every cheer at the starting line.
Career Highlights
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Mike Salinas becomes the first person to race 300 mph at the 1/8th-mile in history.
Collected two wins and one runner-up finish
Finished fifth in season points
Scored 4 No. 1 Qualifying places
Set 2 Track Records at Brainerd International Raceway and zMax Dragway
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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
Picked up three No. 1 qualifiers
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Picked up a second straight win at Bristol
Advanced to four final rounds
Earned two No. 1 qualifiers
Finished a career-best third in points
Made debut in E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod series
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Earned first career win in Las Vegas (spring) and went on to win in Bristol
Raced to a career-best elapsed time and speed
Secured five No. 1 qualifier positions
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Reached NHRA Countdown to the Championship for the first time
Made first final-round appearance in Bristol
Reset career bests in E.T. and speed.
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Earned a career-best two-round wins.
Qualified for the Auto Club Road to the Future Award
Reset career bests in time (3.779) in Sonoma and speed (324.90) in Pomona.
Qualified at all seven races he attended
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Made his professional debut in Top Fuel and competed in on a part-time schedule
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Competed in both the Nostalgia Eliminator 1 and 7.0 Pro Classes of NHRA’s Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series
Secured his Top Fuel license in 2009