Baca up to task in Texas

DALLAS (Sept. 23) -- Top Fuel driver David Baca has his Mach 1 Air Services Top Fuel dragster in perfect position heading into Sunday's elimination rounds of the 21st annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals. The Northern California-based racer tamed the Texas Motorplex with a 4.610-second pass at 315.22 mph to secure the fifth-place starting position.

"I love Texas," said Baca, who was voted 2003 Rookie of the Year by Competition Plus magazine. "Rick (Henkelman, crew chief) and the boys have this car running strong. The Motorplex has always been one of the places where you can flat-out get after it and we're swinging for the fences. We've got nothing to lose and everything to gain."

Baca has a specific goal in mind as the 23-race POWERade Drag Racing Series finishes its' final five national events -- lock down a spot in the elite top 10. Currently, Baca is 11th overall, 66 points back of 10th-place racer and former Baca employee Cory McClenathan, who failed to qualify for this event

"We've got to go rounds," Baca said, "and not just here but at every race left on the schedule. The fact Cory didn't make the show here opens a nice window of opportunity for us. We started the year with a runner-up finish in Pomona and it really got us off to a great start. I'd love to finish strong and get some momentum heading into next year.

"This has been our first year with Mach 1 and they're really getting into the race program from the top management on down. Now that they all understand the sport so much better than before they're getting excited about being a part of a winning races and contending for the championship. Our goals are perfectly lined up."

Sunday's opening round will pit Baca against Melanie Troxel, who qualified 12th with a 4.657 at 319.52 mph. Troxel nearly missed the field here, using the final session to earn her position.

Qualifying action of this event will air Saturday evening from 10 p.m.-12 a.m. CST, on ESPN2. Sunday's eliminations run from 6-9 p.m. CST, also on ESPN2.

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Media note: For more info on David Baca, contact Don Armstrong at 713-202-4849.

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