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Baytown: David Baca preview
Good Test Results Boost David Baca's Confidence Going to Houston Baca Motorsports Top Fuel Team Looks to Rebound from Slow 2005 Start BAYTOWN, Texas - This is a job that comes with a built in question: What have you done for me lately? The ...
Published: Apr 6, 2005, 9:41 PM
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Good Test Results Boost David Baca's Confidence Going to Houston
Baca Motorsports Top Fuel Team Looks to Rebound from Slow 2005 Start
BAYTOWN, Texas - This is a job that comes with a built in question: What have you done for me lately?
The query most likely comes from the owner/driver of a Top Fuel dragster or Funny Car, especially if on-track performances resemble "Benny the Bomb," a daredevil who was paid to sit in the middle of a dynamite explosion in front of spectators at state fairs and other outdoor gatherings several decades ago.
It's directed at the tuner or crew chief, the one responsible for tuning the 7,000 horsepower engines before each quarter-mile run.
David Baca hasn't been Top Fuel's answer to "Benny the Bomb" in the early stages of NHRA POWERade Series, and he hasn't called for the heads of his co-tuners. Nor is that likely. His father Dennis is one-half of the duo and is the Larry Meyer. Both are respected veterans.
What he sought, however, was some consistency in the Baca Motorsports dragster's performance.
"We haven't realized our potential thus far this year," David Baca said, "but, on occasion, we have shown we can perform with the best of the cars on the circuit. We hope to get back into the hunt in the next two races."
The first back-to-back races of 2005 begin with the O'Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park, followed by the SummitRacing.com Nationals, April 15-17.
"Our biggest problem has been lack of consistency. We are looking forward to these two races because we think we corrected the situation during testing after the Gainesville (Fla.) race," Baca said. "We want to try what we learned. We are very optimistic."
Baca has started each of the first three races, but his day ended after the first round each time.
He's 14th in points, but only a few round wins away from a top 10 berth, and a long way - 20 races - from the end of the season.
Baca Motorsports will receive support from the following associate sponsors throughout 2005: Champion Spark Plugs, Don Steves Chevrolet (La Habra, Calif.), Goodyear, Lucas Oil, Mac Tools and Weld Racing Wheels.
Condolences to the Family of Shelly Howard
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Shelly Howard's family," said David Baca of the top alcohol dragster driver who died in a testing accident Saturday in Tulsa, Okla. The accident also claimed the life of her son Brian.
"We are all family in this sport. I raced against her when I drove an alcohol dragster. No matter what category we race in, we are all competitors, and we develop many friendships. When an accident like this happens we all grieve because she was one of our own.
"Our condolences go out to her family."
Howard is survived by her husband, Dr. Paul Howard, and daughters Jennifer and Tracy.
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