“To Get That Ironman!” - Krista Baldwin on Her Goals This Weekend For IHRA Return

(Photo Credit: Peyton Lohr/Racing Refresh)

By Logan Morris

Krista Baldwin was born and bred into drag racing, being the granddaughter of “The Golden Greek” Chris Karamesines and the daughter of Bobby Baldwin. Naturally, any time she’s in a Top Fuel field, fans feel a rush of nostalgia for days gone by, so it was fitting that she took part in the IHRA’s return to national prominence over the weekend at Darana Raceway. I had a chance to talk to her before Friday’s qualifying sessions to get her thoughts on being part of such a historic event. Krista was feeling nostalgic herself.

“I’m excited. I mean, the reemergence of a nostalgia, vibe, event for Top Fuel cars is awesome. It’s cool that every one of these Top Fuel cars on the grounds are all really good friends, so that is going to be awesome — racing with a few good friends. But anytime you get to burn nitro on a beautiful day is always a good time.”

She’s thrilled to have another place to hone her craft, and hopes it creates another home for Top Fuel as a whole.

“I think it’s great. The resurgence of another place where we can actually run Top Fuel cars is huge. It does get tough when there’s only one place we can do it, but with this, I think it’s going to broaden our horizons. Hopefully we’ll see other Top Fuel cars come out.”

Krista is very much her own person. She serves as the General Manager for Paul Lee’s NHRA Funny Car team, but she still carries the lessons she learned from her father and grandfather. When I asked about the biggest lesson she carries from her late father, her response was simple but powerful:

“The biggest lesson would be: don’t give up. One of the things I take to heart is that you don’t know how long you’re on this planet, so live it up while you can.”

(Photo Credit: Peyton Lohr/Racing Refresh)

I also asked her about the biggest racing lesson she’s learned from her grandfather. The third-generation driver gave a bubbly but blunt answer about how she uses him as motivation:

“Don’t take no shit. It’s a wonder he was able to drive for 75 years, but it’s the pure fact that you have got to love it. So I strive to do that every time I wake up.”

Her grandfather looms even larger for her at a place like Darana Raceway, the historic venue formerly known as National Trail Raceway, a track she hadn’t raced at before.

“My grandpa used to race here many, many times. So, to come back to a facility where he’s had some success is always awesome. This is actually a brand new track to me, I’ve never been here, so I’m excited to make the stands rock.”

When asked about her goal for the history-making weekend, Baldwin didn’t mince words.

“To get that Ironman!”

Baldwin will go to the final round to race against Scott Palmer on Sunday morning at 10am ET.