Joe Bacal

 Cancer Survivor Ready for Next Challenge 

With his purple chemo port attached to the dashboard of his Lexus LX 570 to remind him of his most important victory – overcoming cancer – Joe Bacal is set to take on yet another colossal challenge. From Nov. 19-22, Bacal will participate in the 42nd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, otherwise known as the the "granddaddy" of off-road racing.

The Baja 1000, staged in Ensenada, Mexico, is a perilous 675-mile course through desert, mountains, cliffs and rocks, driving day and night.  It takes unimaginable stamina to drive off-road for 24 hours straight across this terrain, with maybe a handful of one-to-two-minute pit stops. Enduring this competition post-cancer for most people would be truly unimaginable.

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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, Joe came up with a vision to start a professional driving business and compete in world-class off-road racing while at CTCA. .

Bacal and his JTGrey Racing team began their rookie off-road racing season in June this year with a victory at the Baja 500 after 16 hours of continuous driving, followed by a second-place finish at the Primm 300.  By virtue of those wins, Bacal heads into the Baja 1000 second in points in SCORE’s Stock Full class with a legitimate shot at winning the 2009 championship.  

Bacal hopes that by competing in the grueling race he will inspire other cancer patients to take control of their cancer care, make decisions based on their life and health goals, and cross the finish line. "You can't win the race if you don't finish," he said. "To finish, you need to be in control of what's ahead of you and supported by a great team and family and friends who love you."

This year’s race will start at 6:30 a.m. EST on Friday, Nov. 20.  NBC Sports will cover the event, currently scheduled to air on Dec. 19.