After running a 6.027 at 239.10 to qualifying No. 15 in the ultra-quick field of the Get Screened
America Pro Mod Challenge event at the NHRA Virginia Nationals, home builder Joe Baker blasted to a
first-round upset holeshot victory over No. 2 qualifier Brad Personett to advance to the second
round on Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park. He also claimed the B&J Transmissions Bonus cash by
winning the round.
Saving his best run for late in the day when weather and atmospheric conditions were optimum, Baker
left the line with a .038-second reaction time and ran a career-best 5.873 at 244.34 mph to
Personett's slower RT of .116 seconds but quicker 5.866 at 249.49 mph for the win.
"The good news is there's more in the car, although I don't think we'll see conditions quite like
that on Sunday," Baker said. "Everything just came together and I was able to cut a good light on
Brad. He had that monster run of 5.84 earlier in the day, and we knew we'd have our hands full, so
I think Chuck (Ford, crew chief) and the guys really gave me a stout tune-up to get the win."
"We're going to have to have the same kind of lap tomorrow, though, because we have Danny Rowe in
round two, and he's been on a tear all year," Baker said.
By winning the first round, Baker also won the B&J Transmissions $500 bonus. The round had been
selected by a random drawing before the event, awarding the winner of the number two and 15 cars
pairing with the bonus.
"I honestly wasn't as concerned about the bonus as I was with getting the round-win, but I have to
thank Mike Strasberg and B&J Transmissions. They have made it even more fun to win first round," he
said.
The balance of eliminations is scheduled to run Sunday afternoon.
