Baca entertains family and friends at home track

SONOMA, Calif. (July 30) -- In what has become a favorite gathering event for supporters of the Baca/Windham Mach 1 Air Services Top Fuel dragster, driver David Baca knows what it takes make family, friends, and business associates happy; good food, drink, and camaraderie.

Qualifying in the 12th position for Sunday's Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals, Baca's first round match-up pitted the Mach 1 Air Services machine against current NHRA POWERade points leader Doug Kalitta.

It turned out to be a pretty even match to the 330-foot mark when Kalitta's rail began to pull away, ultimately crossing the quarter-mile stripe first with a run of 4.796-seconds at 298.01 mph to Baca's laboring 5.233 at 199.82 mph.

"This is really disappointing," Baca said after the race. "We've been chasing this thing all weekend long. I think we showed everyone a good time but it would have been a lot more fun if we could have entertained them in the Winner's Circle."

Baca, from Brentwood, Calif., which is 40 miles east of the racetrack, calls Infineon Raceway home and his legion of supporters all felt this was the race to win.

"You always want to win but to win here would have been extra special," Baca said. "We still may pull a few corks on some of that famous local wine at the house tonight. We did have a lot of fun with all the Mach 1 and Big O people that joined us throughout the weekend and I think everyone enjoyed themselves."

After a week off, the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., is the next stop on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing tour.

--30--
________________________________________________________________________
Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email and IM. All on demand. Always Free.