Vicente Salas: Show cars are everywhere during NASCAR race weekends, like at gas stations, home improvement shops, and fast food places. For die-hard fans, these shows are more than just sights to see because they let them get close to the actual cars that race down the tracks while being driven by their favourite drivers.
A little boy’s life changed when he met someone by chance on the quiet streets of Temecula, California. Vicente Salas, now 21 years old, was a little kid when he saw Tony Stewart’s No. 20 Home Depot car outside a nearby shop that sold do-it-yourself projects. He was told he could take the wheel even though the chances were against him. That was the turning point. He was only three years old then, but the experience left a lasting impression on him and sparked his love of racing.
It was common for Salas to get into the fast-paced world of racing. He is the first person in his family to love stock car racing. His family has deep roots in Mexico and Latin America. Don, his father, was an avid motocross fan and a skilled race photographer. Without meaning to, he set the tone for his son’s enthusiasm.
Between the ages of 3 and 14, Salas was obsessed with one thing and only one thing: “Can I race?” At that time, most kids were dreaming of traditional jobs. How should I drive a go-kart? Is it possible to move a bando? “Can I drive a Legend car?” His constant questions played over and over again in his thoughts as a child and helped him remember how determined he was.
Salas began karting when he was 15, but later than his peers. His talent quickly got him into national karting arenas, which was the start of a bright future. At the same time, he was drawn to the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series because it was an online racing series. Even though COVID-19 was closed in 2020, Salas jumped at the chance to qualify for the series in 2021.
The turning point was his big win at Richmond Raceway, which sent shockwaves through the iRacing circuit and proved how good he was. After this win, Salas switched to Pro Late Model racing. His first race was at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2022. His hard work paid off when he won with a fantastic move on the last lap, securing his place in racing history.
Salas’s journey shows his dedication as he works toward his final goal of racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. He is competing for himself, but he is also a symbol of hope because he shows that goals can be reached if they are followed with all your might.
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