NHRA: Bazemore looks to add his name to Reading record books
15 September 2000
Putnam, Conn., September 15, 2000 - Whit Bazemore is an acknowledged drag racing fanatic. Long before he ever climbed behind the wheel of a Funny Car, Bazemore was an avid student of the sport, learning everything he could and jumping at any opportunity to see the world's best quarter-milers compete. Ask him, and he will describe in great detail weekends from over twenty years ago spent watching the stars of that era, such as Gene Snow and Don Prudhomme, race at Gainesville Raceway and Atlanta Dragway. It is this understanding of drag racing's roots that makes Bazemore appreciate the NHRA's annual visit to Maple Grove Raceway. As the Kendall Oil/Matco Tools Camaro Z28 Racing Team arrives in Reading for this weekend's Keystone Nationals, Bazemore is fully aware of the area's contributions to the sport, and he hopes to add to this rich tradition. "There is a strong heritage of Funny Car Racing in Eastern Pennsylvania," stated Bazemore. "Through the years, that area has given us many great stars, including such legends as "Jungle Jim" Lieberman and Jungle Pam. As a result, the fans in Maple Grove are among the most knowledgeable on the NHRA circuit. They are so into Funny Car racing that it makes it a very special and fun weekend every time we're there." Bazemore and crew come in looking to add to their own history at Maple Grove Raceway. Although Bazemore has yet to reach the Reading winner's circle, team owner Chuck Etchells took home the trophy in 1995, defeating John Force in the final. In addition, Etchells was the No.1 qualifier in 1993 and 1997 and still holds the track top speed record at 309.91 mph. Even though they have struggled to get a handle on their 6,000 horsepower fuel coupe for much of the 2000 season, recent weeks have seen somewhat of a resurgence in the Etchells camp, as evidenced by their climb from 11th to 6th in the Winston points standings over the last six races. However, the consistency necessary to compete for the win on a regular basis continues to be an elusive target. This week, the Kendall/Matco team will tackle a track with a seemingly split personality. On one hand, there are the atmospheric conditions, where the abundant trees and usually cooler fall temperatures are ideal for generating maximum horsepower. However, crew chiefs throughout the pit area will be challenged by a racing surface that features a short concrete launching pad, putting traction at a premium. Once again, raceday success will go to the team that does the best job of balancing these two factors. "Maple Grove is a hard track to figure," explained Bazemore. "With trees all around it, the atmospheric conditions are great and we tend to make a lot of horsepower. Unfortunately, it doesn't have the longest concrete pad. It can be very tricky or really good. We'll just have to see what it's like when we get there. "But the most important thing for our team is that we get our Kendall/Matco Camaro to go down the track consistently and competitively. That's what Terry (crew chief Manzer) and the crew are working to do. Besides, although this has been a good track for Etchells Racing, I haven't fared all that well there, and that's something I'd like to change this weekend. There are just a few races left in the season, and we have some goals that we'd like to accomplish, and it all starts with a strong run in Reading." Quick Whits: This will be Whit Bazemore's 9th appearance at Maple Grove Raceway, where he looks to better his semi-final finish from 1998, and duplicate team owner Chuck Etchells' win here from 1995 ….Whit hopes to top his previous best Reading qualifying performance of 2nd, accomplished in 1998, and match Etchells' pole-winning efforts of 1993 & 1997…. Bazemore is currently 6th in the Winston Drag Racing Series season's points standings, having moved from 11th in the last six races. Fast Facts WHAT: 16th Annual Keystone Nationals, the eighteenth event on the 23-race 2000 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series Schedule. WHEN: September 15-17, 2000 WHERE: Maple Grove Raceway, Mohnton, Pennsylvania SCHEDULE: Professional qualifying begins with two sessions on Friday, September 15 at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., and concludes with two additional attempts at noon & 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 16. Final eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 17. TV: ESPN2 will provide same-day coverage of the Keystone Nationals with two hours of highlights on Sunday, September 17 from 9:30 -11:30 p.m.. (Times given are Eastern. As always, please check your local listings.)