Vicente Salas Bio
Vicente Austin Salas (born August 20, 2002) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 45 Chevrolet Camaro SS for Alpha Prime Racing. He is also a competitor in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series and captured the 2023 Contender Series championship.
A native of Southern California, Salas built his reputation on both virtual and real pavement, working his way up from karting circuits to national stock car competition. His blend of sim racing discipline and oval-track progression has made him one of the more closely watched young drivers of his generation.
Early Life and Background
Vicente Austin Salas was born on August 20, 2002, in Temecula, California. Growing up in a region with a strong grassroots motorsports scene, he was exposed to racing at a young age through local karting events. The Southern California karting community provided the foundation for his early development as a driver.
By the time Salas was fifteen, he had progressed from beginner karts to shifter karts, competing at a national level. His rapid advancement through the karting ranks reflected both natural talent and a strong commitment to the craft of racing. These formative years helped shape the racecraft he would later bring to stock car competition.
Path to NASCAR
Salas launched his racing career in 2018 at local karting tracks in California. His progression to shifter karts at the national level came quickly, but his transition to NASCAR national series competition was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. During that period, he shifted his focus to the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, where he quickly found success.
He returned to physical racing in 2022 through the CARS Tour, marking his first time behind the wheel of a real race car. A fourth-place finish in his debut convinced team owner Justin Carroll to offer him a full-time seat for the 2023 season. In March 2024, it was announced that Salas would make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Circuit of the Americas driving the No. 20 truck for Young’s Motorsports.
Vicente Salas Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Salas began his competitive racing journey in 2018 on local karting tracks throughout California. Within a few years, he advanced to shifter karts and began competing at the national level. His early career was put on pause by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a temporary shift away from on-track racing.
During the pandemic, Salas transitioned into the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series. He demonstrated immediate strength on the virtual platform, most notably with a dominant performance in the 2021 race at Richmond Raceway, where he led every single lap. That victory established him as a serious competitor in sim racing and laid the groundwork for his return to real-world competition.
CARS Tour Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Salas made his real-life stock car debut in 2022, competing in the CARS Tour late model series. His first race produced a fourth-place finish, a result strong enough to convince team owner Justin Carroll to give him a full-time ride in the series for the 2023 season.
That full-time opportunity allowed Salas to refine his skills in heavier, higher-horsepower machines. His progress through the CARS Tour positioned him for an eventual move into NASCAR national series competition.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Debut (2024)
On March 18, 2024, it was announced that Vicente Salas would make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Circuit of the Americas, driving the No. 20 truck for Young’s Motorsports. He started 31st on the grid, but his race ended early due to transmission issues, and he was credited with a 34th-place finish.
Salas made his second Truck Series start at World Wide Technology Raceway, this time driving the No. 91 for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. The Truck Series appearances marked his entry into NASCAR’s national touring divisions and provided valuable seat time at demanding road course and oval venues.
Alpha Prime Racing Era (2024–Present)
Salas has also competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 45 Chevrolet Camaro SS for Alpha Prime Racing. His role with the team reflects the organization’s commitment to developing emerging talent through part-time opportunities.
Driving for Alpha Prime Racing has given Salas the chance to gain experience at the second tier of NASCAR national competition. His continued involvement with the team signals a clear pathway toward expanded seat time in future seasons.
Driving Style and Strengths
Salas’s racing background blends sim racing precision with traditional oval-track progression. His dominant performance at virtual Richmond Raceway, where he led every lap, highlighted his race-long pace and strategic consistency. On real pavement, his early Truck Series starts have shown a willingness to take on demanding road course venues such as Circuit of the Americas and World Wide Technology Raceway.
Notable Races and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Salas’s early career came in the 2021 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series event at Richmond Raceway, where he led every lap en route to victory. He later earned the 2023 Contender Series championship, further cementing his reputation as a versatile competitor. His Truck Series debut at Circuit of the Americas in 2024 marked his official entry into NASCAR national series racing.
Vicente Salas Career Wins
Vicente Salas has built a competitive resume that bridges sim racing and real-world stock car competition. While his national NASCAR victories remain limited, his 2023 Contender Series championship and dominant eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series win at Richmond Raceway in 2021 stand out as signature achievements.
Contender Series Highlights
Salas captured the 2023 championship in the Contender Series, a significant accomplishment within the eNASCAR developmental ecosystem. The title highlighted his ability to perform consistently across a full season of virtual competition.
Other Wins and Performances
His 2021 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series victory at Richmond Raceway remains one of the most memorable performances of his career, as he led every lap from start to finish. Combined with his steady progression through karting, the CARS Tour, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, these results form the foundation of his growing racing resume.
Vicente Salas Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Vicente Salas’s family background and racing lineage is not publicly documented in available sources. His rapid progression through karting suggests a supportive family environment that enabled his early travel and competition at the national level.
Personal Life
Salas was born and raised in Temecula, California. Public information regarding his personal life, including marital status and children, is not currently available.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Vicente Salas remains affiliated with Alpha Prime Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 45 Chevrolet Camaro SS on a part-time basis. His continued partnership with the team offers additional opportunities to build experience at one of NASCAR’s top national levels.
Salas is also expected to remain active in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, where his 2023 Contender Series championship and Richmond Raceway victory have established him as a consistent threat. Balancing real and virtual racing will likely remain a key part of his competitive schedule.
With his 2024 Truck Series debut now behind him, Salas will look to expand his real-world stock car resume in 2025. Additional starts in either the NASCAR Xfinity Series or NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series would represent meaningful progress in his development as a national-level driver.