Championship Drag Racing

NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals
Las Vegas, Nevada
(April 1-4)

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David Baca American Racing Wheels Top Fueler

Reports: Sunday Saturday Pre-race

Las Vegas, Sunday: Although David Baca didn't turn-on the win light, the Henkelman & Baca Motorsports team came away from a first round loss to Larry Dixon satisfied with the performance of the American Racing dragster.

"We thought the car should have run better. It was a good old drag race. We've been doing some work in the bell housing and I think the results of that work will show as early as next race," said Baca. "Today was a dress rehearsal and excepting the fact that we didn't win, we're satisfied."

Against Dixon, the pair was welded together all the way down the track. Dixon pulled ahead on the top end and Baca was unable to reel him in. It was a 4.641 second pass for Baca, while Dixon took the win light in 4.521 seconds.

"Although we didn't run the numbers we wanted, we're still satisfied with the way the car reacted to the changes we made for today's first round," said crew chief Johnny West. "In the past, it was all or nothing. We'd run a good number and then make changes for the next round and the car would react negatively, usually smoking the tires. Now we can make changes and the car reacts more positively. We are definitely headed in the right direction."

Las Vegas, Saturday: David Baca, from Brentwood, Calif., qualified the American Racing dragster in the No. 8 position for the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals.

Baca's best run down The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway quarter-mile was a 4.641second pass at 308.14 mph in today's final qualifying sessions.

When eliminations begin tomorrow, Baca will square-off against the No. 6 qualifier Larry Dixon, Jr., the reigning POWERade Top Fuel champion. Dixon qualified No. 6 with an elapsed time of 4.564 seconds. This will be the fourth meeting between the pair, with Baca looking for his first win.

"We're getting there taking little steps at a time," noted Baca following the run. "Johnny West (crew chief) has been doing a lot of work with the clutch and it's starting to payoff. Now we just have to take what we are learning to Sunday.

"We have a great tune up when it not so hot -- that's hot as in temperature. This causes us second round woes. I hope to have a chance at second round tomorrow.

"With our old tune up we had little or no margin for error. Now Johnny is developing a bigger window which gives us more margin. This will be important as we get to the real hot weather."

Las Vegas, pre-race: When David Baca, who drives the American Racing Top Fuel dragster, shows up for the fifth annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, winning the Top Fuel title will be foremost on his mind. But there are many other items, such as autograph signings, fan appreciation parties and sponsor relations, to divert his attention. Baca wears many hats.

The one things Baca loves about drag racing is interacting with the fans and signing autographs is one of the most important ways in which Baca tries to meet the

First up for Baca, who enters this event sixth in the Top Fuel POWERade point standings, is a track-backed autograph signing that will take place Thursday evening at the ESPN Zone in the New York New York Hotel. The Brentwood, Calif., driver, along with other Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock drivers, will sign autographs for the fans from 7-8 p.m.

In addition, race schedule permitting, Baca will be signing autographs after each qualifying session on Friday and Saturday and after each elimination round on Sunday. He will also do his best to sign as many autographs in and around his pit area as possible.

In a few simple statements Baca summed up a driver's relationship with the fans by saying, "The fans are the reason we do this. They are the reason we're here. I love to talk with as many as I can. The fans are what makes this all worthwhile."

In addition, throughout the weekend Baca spends time with his marketing partners and their guests and clients. In addition to American Racing, Henkelman & Baca Motorsports marketing partners include Champion Spark Plugs, Don Steves Chevrolet, Goodyear Tires, Lucas Oil and Mac Tools.

"Without them we wouldn't be racing," baca said. "What more is there to be said, other than we still have a need and room for more marketing partners. To run with the big dogs takes capital and this team wants to run with the big dogs."

Add to all the things that demand time at a race, Baca then has to return to the Bay Area of Northern California to focus on the many demands of running a successful and growing business.

So with all these promotions and work to take up his time, how does Baca remained focus on racing?

"I try to do my best to stay focused," said Baca. "At times, it's really a challenge to keep the outside things form filtering in. The thing about being at the track is it's a change from the daily grind. Just like my business, racing is a whole new job. I try to relax, but sometimes I question whether I'm doing a good enough job at relaxing. I just try to put myself in a zone where driving the car is my main focus. The outside stuff will be there when I get back. I'm living a dream racing, so all the things that come along with it can't be all bad."