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<\/p>\nThe human genome contains three billion base pairs of instructions, and every single one of them in this third-generation racer is codded for speed.<\/p>\n
From her temporary office at FTI Performance in Deland, Fla., Krista Baldwin spent the start of the 2021 Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals race week editing photos for the company\u2019s social media channels. Baldwin, the daughter of Bobby Baldwin, and granddaughter of \u201cthe Greek\u201d Chris \u201cthe Greek\u201d Karamesines, was keeping busy and staying focused on the work at hand.<\/p>\n
Was she excited? \u201cYes. I\u2019m so excited,\u201d she said. Was she ready? \u201cAbsolutely.\u201d Was she born to do this? \u201cWell, I haven\u2019t done anything else in 27 years, so yeah, it feels like I was.\u201d<\/p>\n
Technically, Baldwin doesn\u2019t remember the first time she sat in a dragster, but it may be more appropriate to say she doesn\u2019t remember life without having sat in one. Her memories are structured around her experiences at dragstrips. She\u2019s been part of a race team as long as she\u2019s been part of her family\u2014there\u2019s really no distinction. Some of her first memories are of her dad and grandpa racing each other.\u201dMy dad and my grandpa would tow back to the pits after a run and I would sit on their laps and wave to all of the people.\u201d<\/p>\n
She remembers with vivid detail when Doug Herbert blew up on the starting line of the 1999 Auto Club NHRA Finals, because \u201cmy dad was racing him,\u201d and the six-year-old Baldwin was in the tow vehicle right on the other side of the wall.<\/p>\n
While Gainesville isn\u2019t new to her, coming in a Top Fuel dragster is. \u201cThis is a much bigger responsibility,\u201d said Baldwin, \u201d I need to make sure I\u2019m able to pilot this dragster the right way. I don\u2019t want to go out there and make some rookie moves, which I might still do, but the pressure is on because these cars are so much more delicate.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked if the differences between her Top Alcohol dragster and her grandfather\u2019s Top Fuel dragster went beyond just the horsepower, she said, \u201cYou have to be on your toes when you\u2019re driving this car. It does not forgive at all.\u201d Baldwin says that \u201cin the alcohol car you can think and react,\u201d with the Top Fuel car, you \u201cfollow your instincts and your gut, and then analyze later.\u201d<\/p>\n
With more power also comes the need for a bigger crew to solve the 300-mph puzzle. \u201cOn the alcohol team, it used to be just me and Anthony [Dicero] and one other person at the race,\u201d she explained. With the nitro car, she\u2019s leveraged her grandfather\u2019s team with consulting from Dom Lagana. Dicero and Jake Sanders (from her A\/Fuel car) are still by her side to keep her in the right mindset. She\u2019s only been in this car for her licensing runs, so she\u2019s developing as a Top Fuel driver with the world watching.<\/p>\n
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With centuries of collective Top Fuel experience in her corner, Baldwin says she\u2019s gotten advice from her grandfather, the Lagana\u2019s, and her boss (Funny Car racer) Paul Lee. What do they have to say?<\/p>\n
\u201cDom reminds me to concentrate and stay focused on what I am doing,\u201d said Baldwin, \u201cthat the car has the same controls as the A\/Fuel dragster I know so well. He also reminded me to \u2018live in the moment\u2014this is a big weekend.’\u201d<\/p>\n
The Greek echoed that sentiment telling Baldwin she needs to \u201ccherish every minute of this weekend because you\u2019re only going to do this once in this fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n
With her family and friends steeped in nitro, what perspective can Lee add? \u201cPaul always has good advice whether I\u2019m asking him about driving, financing the car, or just working on the equipment,\u201d said Baldwin. \u201cAnd he\u2019s gracious enough to lighten my duties and make sure his team can operate without me because this weekend I\u2019m going to be a little busy.\u201d<\/p>\n
What\u2019s a successful 2021 Gainesville going to look like for her? \u201cIf it goes great,\u201d said Baldwin, \u201cI\u2019m gonna qualify for the field, I\u2019m going to run a 3.90, and I\u2019m not gonna blow anything up.\u201d<\/p>\n
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To catch all the action of the 2021 AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in person you can buy your tickets HERE, livestream all of the racing action like this on NHRA.tv, and be sure to watch the full NHRA on FOX broadcast on FS1.<\/p>\n