Stepping into the cockpit of a Top Fuel dragster is a unique experience, but what does it really take to drive a nitro-fueled monster for a weekend from a driver’s perspective? We recently went behind the scenes with third-generation driver Krista Baldwin at the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series to witness the highs, lows, and intense decisions that shape an event for a racer carrying a legendary family name. As the daughter of the late Top Fuel driver Bobby Baldwin and the granddaughter of icon Chris “the Greek” Karamesines, Krista honors her father by competing with his number, TF 725.The weekend kicked off with Krista in the pits, mixing her fuel blend. Facing hot conditions, she cut her nitromethane down to 88.5 percent. As she prepared, she emphasized the proactive nature of the event’s format. Beyond fuel mixing, she also takes personal responsibility for packing the parachutes.

Krista’s first qualifying run proved tricky, and a major track power surge during the night session presented a safety concern. After a personal track inspection, she made the difficult call to run, guided by her grandpa’s wisdom: “One thing that my grandpa taught me is that there’s always another race. So, if I don’t feel comfortable, then I get to pull the plug.” She successfully put down a 4.5-second pass, securing the number two qualifying spot. She later said, “We ran a 4.5-second run and so we’re number two right now, which is awesome.”Race day brought a “monsoon” and more delays. Despite a broken clutch lever in round 1, Krista Baldwin skillfully lifted early and secured the win. “It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win,” she said. Her momentum continued through the semifinals, culminating in her first career Top Fuel final round against her good friend Scott Palmer.

Although she didn’t get the win, the experience was monumental for the driver who earned her license in 2020 after progressing through the A/Fuel ranks. Reflecting on the weekend, she shared, “Still super proud of my team. Super cool to make it to my first final, and now I’m just hungry for more.”