HOLLYWOOD, Md. — Two sisters in professional drag racing visited St. Mary’s County Monday to promote the upcoming National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Potomac Nationals at Maryland International Raceway — the organization’s first-ever appearance in Southern Maryland.
Top Fuel driver Jasmine Salinas and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Jianna Evaristo met with local media and tourism officials at Tobacco Barn Distillery, highlighting the significance of the late-May event and their roles in a sport that continues to expand its reach and diversity.
The visit comes ahead of the NHRA Potomac Nationals, scheduled for May 29–31 at the Maryland International Raceway, part of the organization’s 75th anniversary season.
Salinas, who drives a 12,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster capable of speeds exceeding 330 mph, is considered one of the sport’s emerging talents. Her sister, Evaristo, competes in Pro Stock Motorcycle and is among the fastest female riders in the world, reaching speeds approaching 205 mph.
The event will be televised on Fox and is expected to draw large crowds to Southern Maryland, bringing national attention to the region and the raceway.
Sisters Lead NHRA’s Debut At Maryland International Raceway
Salinas said she is excited to compete at Maryland International Raceway for the first time as part of the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals, and she described the event as both a competitive opportunity and a chance to connect with new fans in Southern Maryland and Virginia — a region with deep drag racing roots.
“I’m really excited,” Salinas said. “It’s a brand-new race where most of the racers haven’t competed yet, and I’ve never even seen the track, so getting to experience everything for the first time is really exciting.”
Racing at a new venue presents both challenges and advantages, and Salinas noted that while many drivers will be unfamiliar with the track, her team brings regional knowledge through Adem Cave, assistant crew chief for the NHRA who has ties to Maryland racing.
“Even though it’s new for me, I know there’s so much history there, especially for people who grew up racing at that track,” Salinas said. “My assistant crew chief, Adem Cave, is from the Maryland area, so having someone who understands the track and conditions is definitely helpful for us.”
Salinas emphasized the role of fan engagement and underdog appeal in NHRA, highlighting her family team, Scrappers Racing, as a resource-limited but competitive operation that resonates well with spectators.
“We’re a family-owned team on a limited budget, but when we come out, we’re competitive. Fans really like to root for the underdogs, and we try to put on a big show,” Salinas said. “When we’re out there, we’re running with the top teams, and we’re trying to perform at a high level.”
Evaristo said she is looking forward to competing at Maryland International Raceway for the first time, describing the new venue as an opportunity to connect with new fans and showcase the sport to a broader audience.
“What excites me the most is getting to go to a new track and meet new fans,” Evaristo said. “It’s a whole new opportunity for us to share what we love doing.”
Evaristo said NHRA’s expansion into new markets allows drivers to introduce drag racing to people who may not be familiar with the sport, while also creating a level playing field for competitors and learning opportunities for all drivers entering a new track.
“NHRA has such a unique group of fans, and now we get to connect with people who maybe haven’t seen us race before,” Evaristo said. “I’m honestly very excited to meet the fans and see how excited they are that we’re there.”
Pro Stock Motorcycle racing carries significant technical demands, where riders reach speeds of up to 200 mph without the protection of a vehicle chassis, and Evaristo said riders are relying on precision, timing and body control throughout each run.
“We go from zero to 200 miles per hour in less than seven seconds, and you can see everything — our body position, shifting, everything we’re doing on the bike,” Evaristo said. “We don’t have seat belts or parachutes, so it’s a very technical class. You must be precise with everything you do.”
Women Driving The Future Of NHRA
Salinas said that representing women in motorsports is both an honor and a responsibility, as she and her sister continue a legacy of female drivers while helping open doors for the next generation. She said their visibility in the sport also helps inspire young women to see racing as a viable path, both on and off the track.
“It’s a huge honor,” Salinas said. “There have been so many women before us who paved the way, and now we want to continue that path and make it easier for others to get involved.”
Evaristo also highlighted the unique position of women in the NHRA, noting that the sport offers equal opportunity for competitors regardless of gender, while still providing a platform to inspire the next generation of female racers. She said visibility still plays an important role in inspiring future competitors.
“Drag racing is one of the rare sports where gender really doesn’t matter. Once you put the helmet on, it’s all about the run,” Evaristo said. “We went from being fans to now being professional racers, and that’s something we hope inspires other young girls to get involved.”
Salinas, who took over driving duties from her father, former Top Fuel driver Mike Salinas, is seeking her first Top Fuel victory but has already reached a career final round and continues to build momentum on the national stage.
Both drivers emphasized the accessibility of the sport and the importance of connecting with fans, particularly as NHRA continues to highlight diversity within motorsports.
The sisters represent a growing presence of women in NHRA competition, where multiple female drivers compete at the highest levels across different racing classes.
A Full Weekend Of Racing And Fan Experience
The NHRA Potomac Nationals will bring a full weekend of racing and fan-focused events to the Maryland International Raceway May 29-31, offering both seasoned fans and newcomers multiple opportunities to experience the sport up close.
Gates are scheduled to open daily at 9 a.m., with qualifying rounds beginning Friday and continuing through Saturday, leading into final eliminations Sunday. The weekend will feature top NHRA classes, including Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, alongside additional competition categories and youth racing events.
Beyond the track, organizers are planning a range of fan experiences, including driver meet-and-greets, autograph sessions and Nitro Alley stage programming, where spectators can interact with teams and drivers throughout the weekend. A featured appearance by drag racing legend Shirley Muldowney and scheduled autograph sessions are also expected to draw fans to the midway.
Sunday’s schedule will include a track walk and driver introductions before the start of elimination rounds, giving fans a closer look at the competitors ahead of race day’s final matchups.
NHRA Potomac Nationals: Fast Facts
- NHRA Potomac Nationals (Mission Foods Drag Racing Series)
- Dates: May 29–31, 2026
- Final Eliminations: Sunday, May 31
- Location: Maryland International Raceway, 27861 Budds Creek Rd, Mechanicsville, Md.
- Gates Open: 9 a.m. daily
- Hotels: MIR hosting hotels
- Results: Live results page
What to Expect:
- Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle racing
- Qualifying rounds Friday and Saturday
- Final eliminations Sunday
- Driver meet-and-greets and autograph sessions
- Nitro Alley fan experiences and stage programming
- Special appearances, including drag racing legend Shirley Muldowney
Tickets & Info: Available through NHRA and Maryland International Raceway event pages
How To Watch The NHRA Potomac Nationals
Fans who can’t attend in person can watch the NHRA Potomac Nationals on NHRA.tv and on national television throughout race weekend. Qualifying rounds will air Friday and Saturday on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), while final eliminations will be broadcast live Sunday afternoon on FOX.
- Friday, May 29
Qualifying Show 1 — 7–8 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1, FS1) - Saturday, May 30
Qualifying Show 2 — 9–10 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1, FS1) - Sunday, May 31
Final Eliminations — 3–6 p.m. ET(FOX)
Additional re-airings will be available on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and Fox Sports 2 (FS2) in the days following the event. More information about Maryland International Raceway can be found at https://goracemir.com.
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