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Jasmine Salinas, now in her second season behind the wheel of a 12,000-horsepower NHRA Top Fuel dragster, has become one of the most compelling stories on the circuit. Representing Scrappers Racing, Salinas might stand just 5 feet 2 inches tall, but her tenacity and focus on the starting line cast a far larger shadow. In a sit-down interview captured before the running of the 2025 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, Salinas reflected on her unique journey into one of the most demanding forms of motorsports. If she were in another sport, she acknowledges she might not be tall enough or strong enough. But drag racing doesn’t care how big you are—it only cares how focused you are. Focus, indeed, defines Jasmine’s racing DNA. Jasmine, the daughter of longtime NHRA racer Mike Salinas, has earned her spot in the Top Fuel ranks not through legacy but through relentless preparation and fearless commitment. Yet, in a moment of raw honesty, she admits the magnitude of the challenge still humbles her. 

After a solid rookie campaign that saw flashes of brilliance and the inevitable growing pains, Salinas enters her sophomore season more self-aware and battle-tested. She’s more comfortable in the car, more confident with her team, and increasingly focused on consistency.