Baca steps out, names Todd for Joliet

Todd replaces Baca in Mach 1 Global Services dragster

PHOENIX (June 1) -- Top Fuel driver and team owner David Baca will relinquish the seat of his 8,000 horsepower Mach 1 Global Services dragster to J.R. Todd for this weekend's 12th annual United Association Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet, Ill.

Citing a need to personally guide his business through the current economic turbulence in the housing industry in his native Northern California, the popular Baca decided to use a substitute driver that could dedicate the necessary time to servicing the multitude of Mach 1 customers and employees slated to attend the race at Route 66 Raceway.

"If I can't put 100 percent of my focus on driving a 300-mph racecar I don't need to be driving," Baca said. "Everyone that knows me will understand how hard this decision was but I have to put my commitment to the Entzminger family and everyone at Mach 1 Global Services ahead of my desire to drive my hot rod.

"The Entzmingers have been wonderful to me from the start and helping them achieve their goals in these rough times is very important to me but so is my commitment to my family and employees here at home. I'm thankful the Entzmingers are so understanding and I plan to make it up to them in the future."

Baca has successfully qualified for all four of the events he's attended in 2009, which has included stops in Pomona, Phoenix, Houston, and Las Vegas. Despite his abbreviated schedule, he's 14th in the Full Throttle points.

A six-time winner in the Top Fuel class, Todd has not competed this year after being relieved of his duties at Morgan Lucas Racing in the off-season. The 2006 Rookie of the Year is the first and only African-American to win a Top Fuel race under NHRA sanction is anxious to make his first passes of the year.

"I'm sure I'll have a few butterflies before we make our first pass because it's been a couple of months but hopefully it's like riding a bike and it'll all come back to me," Todd said "This is a good car and I'd like to get it in the show solidly and try to go some rounds on Sunday.

"Hopefully, having this opportunity to compete will bring some other possibilities for all of us in the future."

Jamie Entzminger, Mach 1's CEO, says their clients and employees in Chicago and Detroit -- two of their key markets -- are excited about the upcoming event.

"We have a great group ready to join us at the Chicago race and we'll be cheering on J.R. and the Mach 1 race team all weekend," Entzminger said. "Chicago is a very important market for us and we've converted all of our loyal customers there into drag racing fans so they are ready for a fun weekend at Route 66 Raceway.

"David Baca is our guy and we're sad to see him sitting out but we understand and appreciate the position he's in with his company. J.R. will be a great replacement and we're happy to welcome him to the team."

-credit: dbr