When IHRA Pro Stock driver Carl Baker traveled the roads winning round after round in his Summit Racing Equipment-sponsored mountain motor entry, he never envisioned the experience to be one of preparation for a time when he would hang up the helmet to become a crew chief. Baker’s career yielded a career six national event victories in ten finals.

Trevor Eman was a young student in his native homeland of Aruba during Baker’s heyday. He’s since worked his way up the ladder driving quick doorslammers on the island.

IHRA Pro Stock is his next conquest.

This is where their lives will cross next month when the IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Series kicks off in San Antonio, Texas.

Rookie driver Trevor Eman takes advantage of experience to learn the ropes of IHRA Pro Stock …

When IHRA Pro Stock driver Carl Baker traveled the roads winning round after round in his Summit Racing

Equipment-sponsored mountain motor entry, he never envisioned the experience to be one of preparation for a time when he would hang up the helmet to become a crew chief. Baker’s career yielded a career six national event victories in ten finals.

Trevor Eman was a young student in his native homeland of Aruba during Baker’s heyday. He’s since worked his way up the ladder driving quick doorslammers on the island.

IHRA Pro Stock is his next conquest.

This is where their lives will cross next month when the IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Series kicks off in San Antonio, Texas.

Eman replaces Bert Kelkboom as the driver of the Aruba Tourism-sponsored Ford in 2008. Baker will hold the title of crew chief, but his duties will transcend merely turning the wrenches. They’ve had a few opportunities to hit the strip for testing and Baker likes what he sees thus far.

He always tells me not to drive a foot farther than you’re comfortable with. That's the advice we go on. – Trevor Eman

“So far so good,” Baker said. “We've got all good parts, a pretty good motor, and another motor on the way and I think we've got a real good driver.
 
“He's a rookie to IHRA pro stock but he's not a rookie to driving,” Baker continued,  He's drove 8-second, 9-second, 10-second cars all the way up there.  The last car he drove went in the 6.60's and it was a nitrous car so he's got no problem at all driving a car.”

Eman is currently a college freshman back home and worried the learning curve would be extremely steep with an already loaded curriculum of education.
 
“I was afraid that it was going to be a whole new ball game but I was surprised at how easy the transition was,” Eman said. “Of course we still have a lot to go and that's why we’ve been testing.  So far it's been going pretty smooth.”

This is the kind of scenario where a seasoned veteran like Baker becomes very valuable.
 
“He's a tremendous help so far and we haven't even been to a race yet,” Eman confided. “He's not only that but he's great to get along with.  He's great to have around.  I see it as a year that's going to be full of excitement.”

Baker has already instructed his protégé to keep the excitement in check.
 
“He always tells me not to drive a foot farther than you’re comfortable with,” Eman admitted.  “That's the advice we go on.”

Eman has treated this advice as gospel. He’ll be the first to admit he’s explored exactly where the edge is.
 
“It happens,” Eman said, when asked if he’s ever driven over the edge. “I mean when you're in the rush of race day -- it happens.  It's always good to have someone there that keeps on putting that advice in your head.”

Baker pointed out Eman has taken the task before him head-on and gains experience and showcases talent with each outing. He can’t help but see an out-of-the-box contender.

“I think we're going to be more than a player,” Baker contends.