If you are a fan of NHRA top fuel racing you have undoubtedly heard the name Mike Salinas in 2017. The owner of the “Scrappers” racing team, Salinas has entered the top fuel area in a big way, the right way. He has hired and trained an experienced crew, he is using the best parts available, and he is working with crew chief Doug Kuch and the legendary Alan Johnson to tune the car. Salinas is an incredibly successful business man from California who has made his bones in metal recycling, trash hauling, and an array of other companies. The guy is truly living the American dream. He began as a guy in a pickup truck driving around and picking up what he could pick up.
What’s fascinating about Salinas is the fact that he has showed the self-control and temerity to not jump face first into this class like so many others have done only to flame out and disappear before they had any success. Salinas has ruined Sundays for several of the major teams this year and the car continues to get better and better. Buy why? How about an insane attention to detail and an extreme will to do this his own way, methodically.
The Scrappers top fuel pit area is the most insane in drag racing history. Not because they are running around disorganized, not because they are trying to get by with not enough people and not enough parts, not because it is a mess. No, this is the most insane pit area in drag racing history because of exactly the opposite. Salinas is obsessed with details and he is also obsessed with providing a quality working environment for his crew so that they take the extra pride in their job that separates the also rans and the winners.
The result is paintwork on tool boxes and work benches that would be at home on a Ridler contender. The result is a top fuel car with a rear axle housing that is polished to the tune of four days work. The result is the fact that the blades in the air circulation fans in the pit space are POLISHED. The mill and lathe in the trailer were disassembled, painted, and pinstriped. There has never been anything like this in the modern world of NHRA racing and the best part is that the car is a runner.
If you can watch this can not be impressed I’ve got nothing for you.
I can’t wait to see them at BIR!
Saw these guys in Vegas 2012. Two guys from a mobile detailing company came out every morning and cleaned the customised, 1200HP transporter from top to bottom. And that was before you looked at the fuel car!
Thanks for showing this unbelievable operation. Hope he comes to Charlotte next year.
Show and go, nice! NHRA will be better for this guy being part of it- not something you can say about every competitor. I liked his statement, something like “Put a little hot rod into it.” NHRA could use that.
“Something you can’t say about every competitor”- too many thumbs while typing.
My vision of a truly insane Top Fuel pit:
Just after lunching the motor for the fourth time after and all-night session rebuilding it their patience snaps. The driver starts drinking nitro mixed with beer and then attempts to light his own farts. The resulting explosion levels the entire drag strip and turns the spectators into charred dummies. The team owner plays “Duelling Banjos” on a hideously out of tune banjo while watching his own body melt around him.
That’s what you call insanity mate – its no wonder I’m banned from every drag strip in Europe….
Excellent piece Brian! How can you not like and admire this guy! Mike Salinas now has new fans in Pa! Bringing a taste of Hot Rodding back to big-time Drag Racing! Love it Scrappers!
I missed seeing you at Seattle on Friday, Brian. They won’t let us peons near the tower.
Mike Salinas sure has a first class operation and now that they are running with the big dogs i’d hate to see that paint job changed to some corporate scheme.