Countdown Hopes Loom for Jasmine Salinas as She Prepares for Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
Top Fuel newcomer Jasmine Salinas is excited to return to racing action at this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota, the penultimate event of the regular season for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. The 2024 Rookie of the Year contender is determined to make the most of these final two events to secure a position in the Countdown to the Championship.
An NHRA “bucket-list” event, loyal NHRA fans travel from around the country to experience the “Zoo” atmosphere in the campgrounds of Brainerd International Raceway. While Jasmine has competed at the iconic facility in Top Alcohol Dragster, she’s eager to take to the track behind the wheel of her 11,000-horsepower Valley Services Scrappers Racing Top Fuel machine. She will be racing in red this weekend, returning to her previous livery after featuring her sponsor, Pleasanton Ready Mix, at her home race in Sonoma a few weeks ago.
“It was such an honor to represent Pleasanton Ready Mix in Sonoma,” said Jasmine. “I love getting to fly the colors of the brands that make all this possible. And the fans are always so engaged. It makes me really excited to pursue sponsorship opportunities and share what a powerful platform NHRA drag racing provides.”
Pro Stock Motorcycle will not be contested at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals so Jasmine will be competing without the company of her sister, Jianna Evaristo. Jasmine’s father Mike raced to a runner-up finish in 2019 at this event and Jasmine is eying similar success for the weekend. She recently went through a re-fitting process for her cockpit and the crew made a few additional tweaks that she hopes will pay off in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
“We made some adjustments to the cockpit that I’m excited to try out at BIR,” said Jasmine. “Brainerd always has a unique energy thanks to the Zoo. So many hardcore fans come out to this race. I love that we are surrounded by nature at this track as well. The expectation at the beginning of the season was that this team and car would be in the Countdown. That expectation didn’t shift when I stepped into the driver’s seat. It’s definitely weighing heavy on my mind, but I also know that we have to balance our expectations because there have been so many changes and adjustments since I got behind the wheel. Right now, I still think we can make this happen.”
Pro competition for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals will begin with two rounds of qualifying on Friday, August 16, at 4:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Qualifying will continue with two more sessions on Saturday, August 17 at 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Eliminations are scheduled to begin on Sunday, August 18 at 10:30 a.
This story was originally published on August 15, 2024.
The post Countdown Hopes Loom for Jasmine Salinas as She Prepares for Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
