Joliet: David Baca Saturday summary

Baca qualifies in top half of field at No. 5 JOLIET, Ill. (May 22, 2004) -- Severe weather canceled the final qualifying session for Top Fuel at today's NHRA Route 66 Nationals. On the strength of a career best speed in today's only sessions, ...

Baca qualifies in top half of field at No. 5

JOLIET, Ill. (May 22, 2004) -- Severe weather canceled the final qualifying session for Top Fuel at today's NHRA Route 66 Nationals. On the strength of a career best speed in today's only sessions, David Baca, driver of the American Racing Top Fuel dragster, placed No. 5 on the Top Fuel qualifying ladder.

Baca ran a pass down the newly resurfaced Route 66 Raceway of 4.529 seconds at 329.83 mph in Saturday's first session. The speed exceeded his previous career best by over four miles-per-hour.

In tomorrow's opening round of eliminations, Baca, from Brentwood, Calif., will meet Cory McClenathan, who qualified No. 12 with an elapsed time of 4.629 seconds.

Entering this event, Baca is in the 11th position in the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings, off the pace from his goal of finishing in the top five in points this season.

Final eliminations for all classes get underway on Sunday at 11 a.m. (CDT), weather permitting. For those unable to attend the event, same-day television coverage can be seen on ESPN2 on Sunday (May 23) from 7-10 p.m. (ET).