IDA ZETTERSTRÖM Marks One Year in NHRA as JASMINE SALINAS Returns at U.S. Nationals

August 6, 2025

by NHRA.com staff // from www.nhra.com

• IDA ZETTERSTRÖM is approaching her one-year anniversary in NHRA Top Fuel with serious momentum behind her. The Finnish-born driver who won a FIA European championship before moving to Indiana has qualified at every single event she’s entered despite running just 16 of 20 races this season. Her semifinal debut at Brainerd and quarterfinal finish at Indy proved she belongs, and winning the fan vote for Best New Talent at the PRI show confirms what we already knew – people are paying attention to what she’s building with JCM Racing.
• What sets ZETTERSTRÖM apart isn’t just her driving – it’s her business acumen and relentless work ethic. She’s actively involved in partner negotiations, works with an eye specialist to optimize performance, and has become an NHRA ambassador doing everything from Bristol NASCAR appearances to announcing duties. Her approach is refreshingly strategic: she’s not just trying to survive in Top Fuel, she’s building a sustainable operation from the ground up with Joe Maynard’s JCM team.
• Meanwhile, JASMINE SALINAS is making her highly anticipated return to Top Fuel competition at the U.S. Nationals after financial realities forced Scrappers Racing to pause their season in April. She was sitting at No. 5 in points and had reached the final round in Vegas before having to step back. Now she’s assembled a hand-picked crew led by veteran tuner Joe Barlam, and her team hadn’t suffered a single first-round loss before the hiatus – that’s the kind of consistency that wins championships.

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