John Salerno
John began racing in 2023, competing in Spec Miata with MBM Performance in Northern Connecticut. In 2026, John began racing in the Whelen Mazda Mx-5 Cup Series with JTR Motorsports in pursuit of his dream of being a factory driver.
“Making the jump to a national series like the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup for 2026 is incredibly exciting,” added Salerno. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with JTR Motorsports and learn from such an experienced team. The level of competition in this series is extremely high, I’m looking forward to pushing myself, continuing to develop as a driver, and competing at new tracks across the country.”
Offshore Powerboats
In addition to his experience on land, John has a strong passion for high-performance boating. He has accumulated over 1,500 hours operating various mono-hull offshore powerboats. In both 2022 and 2023, he served as captain of the National Powerboat Association’s NYC Poker Run Pace Boat, helping lead and coordinate the event.
In addition, John has participated in numerous high speed endurance runs, both nationally and internationally, with both single and twin-engine craft.
Holding a USCG Limited Masters License, he has successfully made his passion into a business.
Academics
John holds a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Operations from Lynn University in South Florida.
During his sophomore year, he founded the Lynn Automobile Club an organization created to bring students together through their shared passion for cars. Under his leadership, the club hosted multiple rallies and events, fostering a strong community and creating lasting memories for its members. The organization quickly became one of the largest student-run groups on campus and continues to grow today.
