Control Amid Chaos
Cancer Survivor Goes the Distance as Lone Driver in Baja 1000
After driving for more than 27 hours, day and night, across 675 miles of rugged desert terrain to show other cancer patients they are in the driver’s seat when it comes to fighting cancer, Joe Bacal crossed the finish line as runner-up in the 42nd running of the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 last Friday and Saturday.
After taking an “out of nowhere” victory at the Baja 500 earlier this season followed by a second-place finish at the Primm 300, Bacal topped off his amazing rookie season with the near-win at the Baja 1000 in his Lexus LX 570.
“It’s tough to narrowly miss the big prize, but just crossing the finish line in this legendary race—and doing it after battling cancer—is a victory, both professionally and personally,” said Bacal. “Even after driving straight through the night, I felt strong at the finish.”
It takes unimaginable stamina to drive off-road for 27 hours straight across this terrain, with only a handful of one-to-two-minute pit stops. Of the 328 people who entered the race, only 185, or about 44 percent, even finished.
“I was determined to “iron man” this race as the lone driver, start to finish, to show other cancer patients that they can go the distance, too. It took endurance, control and a supportive team to get through a race as challenging as the Baja 1000. I harnessed all the strength from my cancer experience as fuel for this race.”
Bacal was on vacation with his family when he discovered a lump that seemed to randomly grow and shrink. Months later, the 38-year-old Anthem, Ariz., man was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in December, 2006.
Bacal underwent treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in 2007, where he waged war on cancer and won. A lifelong car enthusiast and professional test driver, Bacal came up with a vision to start a professional driving business and compete in world-class off-road racing while at CTCA.
“I think we surprised a lot of people with our racing program this year,” Bacal said. “My team, sponsors and family were with me every mile.”
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