‘A FEW BRUISES’ ARE JASMINE SALINAS’ SOUVENIRS FROM OVER-THE-WALL CRASH

by Susan Wade    Sat, 2021-03-13 18:56

 

NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster racer Jasmine Salinas was taken to a Gainesville, Fla., hospital Saturday morning for further evaluation after she took a frightening flight over the left guard wall during her third and final qualifying pass at the Amalie Oil Gatornationals.

Amazingly, she sent word from the hospital that she had “a few bruises here and there but feel fine otherwise.”

Track workers reported immediately via radio and the NHRA later confirmed that Salinas, 29, of San Jose, Calif., crawled from her heavily damaged race car on her own power. She was evaluated by emergency medical personnel on site before being transported to nearby UF Health Shands Trauma Center.

The NHRA issued a statement that said Salinas’ “dragster stood up and blew over before coming to a stop” in the class’ final pairing of the session.

Scrappers Racing team public-relations representative Melanie Johnson said in a prepared statement that Salinas “shook the tires early in the run, let the car calm down, and attempted to pedal [feather the throttle, trying to regain traction]. As she got back on the throttle, the front wheels lifted and surpassed the strength of the wheelie bar. The car went completely airborne and settled on the embankment outside of the guard wall on the left side of the track. Moments later, Salinas exited the car under her own power and spoke to the NHRA Safety Safari members that were first to the scene.”

Salinas sent word to her team: “I will be out of here as soon as possible. I have a few bruises here and there but feel fine otherwise.”

What was foremost on her mind was returning to the racetrack to see her father, Top Fuel driver Mike Salinas, and younger sister Jianna make their runs Saturday. Jianna Salinas was unhurt in 2019 after she tumbled from her bike near the end of her high-speed run during eliminations at Joliet, Ill.

The entire Scrappers Racing team said it “is incredibly grateful for the Safety Safari, paramedics, and NHRA track officials that continue to keep drag racers safe. The Salinas family thanks everyone for the positive thoughts and asks for privacy while Jasmine recovers.”

The clocking system, as expected, gave Jasmine Salinas no time for her ill-fated pass but listed her as No. 2 in the order with a 5.177-second elapsed time at 279.50 mph from Friday.

Jasmine Salinas is the subject of the award-winning video documentary “Five Foot 280.” Through that, she has been a global ambassador for drag racing – and a strong advocate for women in every walk of life.

.

 

 

 
Categories: 
:::::: News ::::::