Seattle: David Baca Saturday summary

David Baca returns to action at Seattle; Qualifies No. 10

KENT, Wash. (July 24, 2004) -- David Baca, behind the wheel of the D. Baca & Family Top Fuel Dragster, returned to action here at this weekend's NHRA CARQUEST Auto Parts for the first time since Topeka. A successful businessman from the Bay Area of Northern California, Baca's introduction to drag racing came even before he was born.

As Baca likes to say, "My addiction to drag racing came while I was still in my mother's womb. My father was a drag racer and I went from the womb to the cradle to the stroller watching all the greats that made drag racing what it is today. I was born into the sport and grew up with the sport and it's the reason I race today."

During his formative years, Baca's father, Dennis, won several NHRA national events, including the prestigious 1977 U.S. Nationals and the 1977 World Finals at Ontario, Calif. Since that time, David Baca was hooked on drag racing and has never looked back.

With his father looking on, the younger Baca found himself qualified No. 10 when the final two of four qualifying sessions ended today. His best run of the four opportunities was a 4.865 seconds at 288.27 mph.

"I am happy and proud that my father has become a major part of this operation. It is great to have him watching me just as I watched him as I grew up," said Baca.

Baca will square off against Brandon Bernstein, who qualified No. 7 with a pass of 4.766 seconds at 301.81 mph.

"If I'm not on top I'm not happy," said Baca. "We didn't start out the way we wanted. We're a new team but we're coming together rapidly. We're qualified and learned a bunch as we progressed through qualifying. This D. Baca & Family will be there when eliminations begin tomorrow."

Entering tomorrow's eliminations Baca, who missed four races this season, is No. 13 in the POWERade Top Fuel point standings with 372 points, just 14 points behind the 12th spot, 26 behind 11th and 140 points out of the top ten.

Final eliminations for all classes get underway on Sunday at 11 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). ESPN2 will air same-day television coverage of eliminations from 8 until 11 p.m. on Sunday evening. Television times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and subject to change at anytime. Check local listings.