Whit Bazemore & Etchells Racing Ready for Chicago
28 May 1999
BAZEMORE PREPARES FOR AN INTENSE DEFENSE OF HIS
FRAM ROUTE 66 NATIONALS TITLE
Putnam, Connecticut, May 27, 1999 - It is a simple fact that your average
human being does not strap him, or herself, into a 6,000-horsepower,
nitromethane-burning land rocket on a regular basis, much less list racing one
as their primary occupation. Therefore, it stands to reason that the mindset
of an NHRA Funny Car driver would have to be slightly different from that of a
typical American worker. With only twenty-two chances to win, and every
participant chasing the Winston championship, the pressure to perform is
immense, as exemplified by the major personnel changes seen in top-level teams
over the last few weeks.
Whit Bazemore is well aware of this pressure, and his experience over the last
year since capturing the inaugural Fram Route 66 Nationals is a prime example
of the highs and lows these fuel coupe pilots must endure. After losing his
primary sponsor, Bazemore was frustrated in his efforts to find a replacement,
and found himself staring at the possibility of becoming an unwilling
spectator. However, his fortunes changed in late December when he was hired by
veteran Chuck Etchells to drive one of the top cars in the division, the
Kendall Oil/Superwinch Camaro Z28. Thus armed the 36-year-old Indianapolis
resident returns to Dale Coyne's outstanding facility to defend his title
brandishing the emotions for which he is best known.
"I believe it takes a lot of intensity and a big commitment to be successful
in this sport," stated Bazemore. "The unfortunate part is that oftentimes
that concentration is misread as arrogance by not only your competitors, but the
fans. On occasion I've come under fire for being too intense, but I've got to
argue the point that I don't think there is such a thing. You have to do
whatever it takes to make yourself successful. I've had to work hard at my
driving and at making the opportunities to be able to race. I know I would
not have gotten where I have without being intense."
But make no mistake, Bazemore is not the only spirited member of the Chuck
Etchells Racing team. Although perhaps not as demonstrative in their emotions
as their driver, the entire organization, from team owner Etchells through the
Tim and Kim Richards-led crew, is fiercely competitive. This season has been
a challenge for all, from adjusting to a new driver to adapting to major
changes in their car's mechanical set-up. Despite their early season
accomplishments, including being the top qualifier in Gainesville and a final
round appearance in Atlanta, no one is prepared to proclaim success, for they
know they can do better. Bazemore agrees, and is confident those results are
forthcoming.
"One of the things that attracted me to this team was its overwhelming desire
to succeed and the effort they make, which meshes well with my own feelings,"
explained Bazemore. "I think we have good team chemistry, and I can learn a
lot from them. We've struggled some with the car, and there have been times
when everyone's patience has been tested to a certain degree. It's not that
we're having a bad year, it's just that we're not as competitive with the top
team as we'd like to be.
"But this Kendall Camaro team is strong, and we believe in each other's capabilities.
We know we have to support each other. The car is totally different from the way they
ran it last year, and it's been an on-going process to improve its performance.
I know it's only a matter of time before Tim (crew chief Richards) and the team work
through it and get a handle on it. We're getting better, and that's the key."
This weekend Bazemore returns to the site of his most recent victory. During
last year's inaugural event at Route 66 Raceway, teams fought to maintain
traction on the "green" racing surface, so labeled for its lack of accumulated
rubber. Though conditions should be improved after a year's usage, the
challenge to extract performance remains. Crew chiefs must adjust their
powerful charges to match the conditions, while drivers must make sure to keep
control at all times, their fuel coupe straight and in the groove, its massive
slicks stuck to the track. The pressure is on, for every participant knows
their competition will be waiting to pounce on any misstep.
"Obviously, I like the track, because I won the inaugural race there last
year," said Bazemore. "But being defending champion is fairly irrelevant to
this year's event because I'm here with a different team. Dale Coyne has
built a tremendous facility, and we love going there. With a full year on it,
the racing surface should be better. This Kendall Camaro team is having a good
year, but we want to make it a great one, which means winning races. There
would be no better place to get our first victory than in Chicago. That would
make it back-to-back Fram Route 66 Nationals titles for me. Now that would be
intense!"
BAZEMORE BANTER: This will be Whit's 1st appearance at Route 66 Raceway in a
Camaro, and he looks to defend his title from a year ago....Bazemore is
looking for his first win as driver of the Kendall Camaro.....Bazemore qualified
6th at this event a year ago.
Fast Facts
WHAT: 2nd annual Fram Route 66 Nationals, the ninth event on the 22-race 1999
NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series Schedule.
WHEN: June 3-6, 1999
WHERE: Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, Illinois
SCHEDULE: Pro qualifying sessions start with two sessions on Friday, June 4
at 4:00 & 8:00 p.m., and conclude on Saturday, June 5 with two rounds at
12:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Final eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 6.
TV: ESPN2 will air two-hours of same-day final-round coverage from 7-9 p.m.
on Sunday, June 6. In addition, ESPN2 will have two hours of qualifying
highlights from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 5 (All times are Eastern).
As always, please check your local listings.