NHRA

Joliet II: David Baca Saturday summary

Baca No. 8 at Chicago JOLIET, Ill. (October 2, 2004) -- After a rain Friday night that cancelled the second qualifying session, the predicted "cool" weather arrived on Saturday at the NHRA CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals and the Top Fuel cars were ...

Published: Oct 3, 2004, 8:27 PM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Baca No. 8 at Chicago

JOLIET, Ill. (October 2, 2004) -- After a rain Friday night that cancelled the second qualifying session, the predicted "cool" weather arrived on Saturday at the NHRA CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals and the Top Fuel cars were flying.

Baca overpowered the Route 66 Raceway track in Saturday's first session and then joined the cars that were flying in the second. The Brentwood, Calif., driver ran an elapsed time of 4.558 seconds at 329.83 mph, good for the No. 8 position on the final qualifying ladder.

"I said the times would surprise people and they did," said Baca. This track is awesome -- very smooth. And the cool weather helped the times. Rick Henkelman (crew chief) and the crew had this D. Baca & Family dragster ready to run. This hot rod likes this track and the cool weather. Can't wait for tomorrow."

Rick Henkelman added, "I am gratified and appreciative for the opportunity that David and Dennis Baca have given me. We are preparing for next year and this will give us a base to move forward."

Baca, who will face Bob Vandergriff, Jr. in the opening round of eliminations tomorrow, tied his career best speed when he ran a 329.83 mph pass in the final qualifying session.

Although he has run a limited schedule this year, entering the CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals Baca is No. 14 in the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings with 519 points.

Final eliminations for all classes get underway on Sunday (October 3) at 11 a.m. These times are subject to change and reflect Central Daylight Time (CDT).

ESPN2 will air same-day television coverage of eliminations from 8 until 10 p.m. on Sunday (October 3). The elimination show repeats from 3-5 p.m. on ESPN2 on Tuesday, October 5 and Friday, October 8. Television times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and subject to change at anytime. Check local listings.

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Joliet II: Jeg Coughlin Saturday summary

Next article Joliet II: Larry Dixon Saturday summary

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

When will Mercedes become F1 world champions in 2026?

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Singapore GP

23 min

When will Mercedes become F1 world champions in 2026?

Jesse Love barely holds off Sam Mayer for NASCAR O'Reilly win at Phoenix

NASCAR O'Reilly

NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly

Phoenix II

6 h

Jesse Love barely holds off Sam Mayer for NASCAR O'Reilly win at Phoenix

Lando Norris faces anxious wait as F2 prepares to decide future of his racing team

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Singapore GP

8 h

Lando Norris faces anxious wait as F2 prepares to decide future of his racing team

NASCAR Cup Phoenix starting lineup: Blaney earns pole as Larson struggles

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Phoenix II

9 h

NASCAR Cup Phoenix starting lineup: Blaney earns pole as Larson struggles

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts