MIKE SALINAS POWERS HIS SCRAPPERS RACING TOP FUEL MACHINE TO A GATORNATIONALS WIN
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 12, 2023) - The Scrappers Racing Top Fuel team started the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season out on the right note as Mike Salinas raced to his eighth career Top Fuel win at the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
Salinas powered his Scrappers Racing dragster to the winners circle after qualifying eighth with a pass of 3.751-seconds at 333.41 mph but his 11,000 horsepower beast really came to life on race day as the Scrappers team turned up the heat when it really counted.
“I get a little emotional because we’ve worked so hard to get here,” said M. Salinas moments after exiting his dragster to receive his trophy. “We’ve got a great team and it’s just amazing. It’s surreal. I go home and I watch this stuff on TV and it’s hard to believe it’s me doing it. Pleasanton Ready Mix, Adams Pools, Platinum Cargo Logistics, Valley Services, Pacific Coast - thank you, guys.”
M. Salinas faced the No. 9 qualifier, Justin Ashley, in the first round of eliminations this morning. Ashley had the better light but M. Salinas outpaced his young competitor with a blistering run of 3.669 at 334.82 to advance to the next round.
In the quarterfinals, the Scrappers Racing machine lined up against current Top Fuel world champion Brittany Force. With nearly identical reaction times, it was a solid drag race all the way to the stripe where M. Salinas managed to turn on the win light for a second time.
Leah Pruett faced M. Salinas in the semifinals but went up in smoke early to give him the win to advance to the 16th final round of his Top Fuel career where he faced Steve Torrence. Despite Torrence’s starting line advantage, the Scrappers Racing dragster took the lead quickly earning the talented team the first Wally of the season.
See the recap from the NHRA National Dragster staff:
See Sunday's photo gallery:
See the point standings after the first event:
Content: Jessica Hatcher / Scrappers Racing PR
Photo's: Racing Pro Media / NHRA