I was watching the livestream from Sonoma last night, and was happily surprised to see an unveiling of the Salinas TF car wrapped in the Johnson Bros. 1996 livery. Blaine won this race in '96, and sadly was his last victory before we lost him. Blaine was my favorite driver, and I was at Indy when it happened. When Salinas came on the scene a few years ago, he quickly became one of my favorites, for many reasons. I was at Indy when he did the Mongoose tribute car, which was absolutely beautiful. And, after seeing him do that, I became an even bigger fan. Well he did it again, and I just think it's extremely cool. I'm sure Cliff and others here can post some links!
Salinas honors Blaine Johnson (1 Viewer)
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r2
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SALINAS HONORS BLAINE JOHNSON WITH TRIBUTE SCHEME IN SONOMA | Competition Plus
Just the thought of what he was about to do Friday evening at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway made Mike Salinas' eyes well up with tears. Friday evening, as qualifying kicked off for the ninth stop on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, there was a sense of pride for Salinas...
9 NHRA Sonoma Nationals | Competition Plus
Scrappers Racing honors Blaine Johnson with Travers Tool Tribute Car
The Mike Salinas-led Scrappers Racing Top Fuel Dragster has donned the Travers Tool blue and gold scheme at this weekend's NHRA Sonoma Nationals as a tribute to the car that the late Blaine Johnson drove to victory in Sonoma in 1996.
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Cliff
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It is so cool to honor our heros. For Mike to win this race would be frosting on the cake, just like when Steve Torrence had the Garlits car & won with it.
Cliff
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Blaine Johnson
On this week’s journey into the NHRA National Dragster photo archives, we look into the file of one of the greatest competitors in the sport, Blaine Johnson. Ranked No. 36 on the NHRA Top 50 Drivers list in 2001, Johnson experienced much success in his career, including 26 NHRA national event...
TopFuel@Lions
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Forever a champion! he was my favorite. Car looks great!
TopFuel@lions
TopFuel@lions
Bubba
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Great job by the Salinas team. The car looks fantastic.
.
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I got a little choked up when I saw this. Wish I could be there to see it in person. Beautiful tribute. Thank you Mike and crew!
ZWeinstein
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That car is beautiful and spectacular, I always love when a team does a throwback or tribute paint when they get the actual sponsor from the time period on the car, makes it perfect. I hope they run that paint at Pomona next weekend.
And yes when Salinas ran the Mongoo$e tribute a couple years ago he ran it at every race after Indy.
And yes when Salinas ran the Mongoo$e tribute a couple years ago he ran it at every race after Indy.
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I’ve got to admit I took a big breath when I first saw Salinas’ car. What a great tribute.
These are in my display case in the room formerly known as my man cave.
These are in my display case in the room formerly known as my man cave.
mike
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How badass and beautiful is that brother? I owe you an email. A call would be better, I am better at that. I've just been in my own little world. Miss ya, and love ya. Let's hope we can see this car in the winners circle tomorrow.SALINAS HONORS BLAINE JOHNSON WITH TRIBUTE SCHEME IN SONOMA | Competition Plus
Just the thought of what he was about to do Friday evening at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway made Mike Salinas' eyes well up with tears. Friday evening, as qualifying kicked off for the ninth stop on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, there was a sense of pride for Salinas...www.competitionplus.com
View attachment 82249 NHRA Sonoma Nationals | Competition Plus
View attachment 8225Scrappers Racing honors Blaine Johnson with Travers Tool Tribute Car
The Mike Salinas-led Scrappers Racing Top Fuel Dragster has donned the Travers Tool blue and gold scheme at this weekend's NHRA Sonoma Nationals as a tribute to the car that the late Blaine Johnson drove to victory in Sonoma in 1996.www.nhra.com
r2
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Don't trip for a moment Mike. I knew it would blow you away.
I was really hoping that you would simply poke your nose above water and show us a sign of life, or tickle our bobbers.
Love you back! But, you knew that!!
- artsy 
Champions Flight XXV
I was really hoping that you would simply poke your nose above water and show us a sign of life, or tickle our bobbers.
Love you back! But, you knew that!!
- artsy Champions Flight XXV
megadeth
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I wish they could have won!
Professional Fan
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They're running the Travers car this weekend as well since Pomona was the first race Blaine won in Top Fuel so Mike gets another chance to get the Travers car into the winners circle.
Cliff
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Hey if Steve can win with a Garlits car, then why not Mike with a Blaine car? That would be soooooooo coooooool!!!!
As cool as that would be, it's not always that easy. In Mike's case, Alan works for him, so not too hard to get that approved, even after the fact. Having said that, seeing more tributes would be really cool, and hats off to the Salinas gang for doing this. I hope they run it for the rest of the year!
Butch
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Hey anyone notice the Trashman cut some good lights Sunday, Hopefully Mike is getting the hang of it.
