Baytown: David Baca eliminations summary

Short day at the office for David Baca.

BAYTOWN, TEXAS (April 13, 2003) -- It was a short day at the office for David Baca, from Brentwood, Calif. Baca, who has been the giant slayer for the last several races, fell victim to the giant at the NHRA O'Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park.

Baca, driver of the Henkelman & Baca Motorsports/American Racing/Waterloo Tool Storage/YP.Net Top Fuel dragster, ran a respectable elapsed time of 4.657 seconds but Larry Dixon, current POWERade Top Fuel point leader and defending NHRA POWERade champion, put outstanding numbers up on the boards. Dixon's pass of 4.523 seconds at 325.92 mph was the quickest of the opening round of eliminations.

"Today we weren't the giant killer," said Baca. "We got behind the eight ball on Friday. Stuff happens. We going to do our best to not get behind the eight ball on Friday at any more races. I've got faith in our group and hopefully we'll be back to slay a few more giants. They haven't heard the last of this American Racing/Waterloo car."

Today's loss was costly for Baca as he dropped two spots in the point standings. Baca now has 243 points and holds seventh place in the NHRA POWERade(r) Top Fuel point standings after five of 23 events. The top five in the Top Fuel point standings are: 1.) Larry Dixon with 459 points; 2.) Brandon Bernstein, 40 behind with 419 points; 3.) Doug Kalitta, 69 back with 390 points 4.) Cory McClenathan, 159 behind with 300 points; and 5.) Doug Herbert, 192 behind with 267 points.

The next race for Baca and the Henkelman & Baca Motorsports/American Racing/Waterloo Tool Storage/YP.Net Top Fuel Dragster is the third annual Mac Tools Thunder Valley Nationals. The event unfolds at Bristol (TN) Dragway April 25-27.

-h&bm-