Scrappers Racing will feature two Top Fuel competitors at the upcoming SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout. Jasmine Salinas, fresh off her rookie season in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, will be joined by her father, Scrappers Racing team owner Mike Salinas, when their signature flame-laden Peterbilts roll into Bradenton, Florida in February to compete in this one-of-a-kind event.
Shortly after competing in the inaugural shootout last year, Mike made the wise decision to step out of the driver’s seat to tend to some health issues. Having earned her Top Fuel license only a few months earlier, Jasmine was thrust into competition with only days to prepare while her father underwent surgery. The father and daughter duo have never competed against each other in the same category before.
“I’ve never been one to let my daughters win,” said Mike. “And they’ve never let me win either! That’s not how life works and it’s not how racing works. After being out of commission for almost a year and seeing what Jasmine can do, I know it’s going to take a lot of work to beat her. She stepped up and showed who she is as a driver and a team leader.”
Whether or not Mike and Jasmine will face off directly against each other will be up to fate as the PRO Shootout will once again feature a chip draw for competition, creating a dramatic twist to driver matchups. The festival-style event will also hold a Top Fuel vs Funny Car race, adding yet another unique element to the reimagined race format.
“Trust me when I say that while I’m excited to have my dad coming back to competition, I’m even more excited to beat him for the first time,” remarked Jasmine with a laugh. “In reality, I’m just really glad that he’s returning to the cockpit because I know how much he’s missed it. The SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout is so cool and drivers have been raving about it all year. I’m honored to be a part of it for the first time and look forward to applying everything I’ve learned since I made my Top Fuel debut back in March.”
The SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout takes place at Bradenton Motorsports Park, February 6-8, 2025. Additional announcements including participating drivers, additional sponsors and a schedule of events, including open Testing on Thursday, February 6, will be announced shortly at www.prosuperstarshootout.com. Tickets can be purchased here.
This story was originally published on December 11, 2024. 
