Joliet II: David Baca preview

Baca hopes for favorable weather -- shoots for fifth in points

JOLIET, Ill. (September 24, 2003) -- Weather has become important to AAA Auto Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award candidate David Baca, since he assumed the driver's seat of the Henkelman & Baca Motorsports/ American Racing/Waterloo/Skill Clean Top Fuel dragster for the 2003 season.

"Many things go into running a Top Fuel dragster," said Baca. "Crew chief Johnny West and Rick Henkelman not only take into consideration the track conditions when tuning this American Racing/Waterloo Tool Storage car for a run, they also factor in the weather conditions, especially, temperature and humidity.

"The weather at Joliet this weekend may be in our favor since our setup favors cooler temperatures. Looking at the weather forecast for the weekend, The Weather Channel indicates temperatures in the 60s during the day and cool nights. I am very encouraged by the forecast.

"Most of our problems have come during hotter times, so I am pleased as we approach this weekend. We believe we have the power to run with (Tony) Schumacher, (Larry) Dixon, (Kenny) Bernstein and the Kalittas (Doug and Scott). The Route 66 track is a fast one and one that can and will yield record runs. I think it will take low 50s (4.50-4.53 seconds) to high 40s (4.47-4.49 second) to win.

"Let's hope any race-stopping rains hold off and give all of us a chance to show the fans what NHRA POWERade drag racing is all about. Although the forecast does show a chance of the wet stuff, I just hope Mother Nature lets us do our thing. I'm getting tired of being rained on, which, in turn, is tiring to the drivers, crews and fan."

Baca, from Brentwood, Calif., is climbing ever closer to his goal of a top five finish and enters the NHRA Carquest Auto Parts Nationals in sixth in the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings, just six points behind fifth.