PRE-EVENT NOTES AND QUOTES FROM WHIT BAZEMORE, MATCO TOOLS DODGE STRATUS R/T FUNNY CAR

ON BEING WITH DON SCHUMACHER RACING, NOW THE LARGEST PRO TEAM IN NHRA: "It's
a real credit to Don that he's put together these programs and obviously the
sponsors, Matco Tools, U.S. Army and Oakley. And now Dodge. We have a very
strong program. When you look at what it takes to contend for a championship
in the Funny Car class, it's very obvious that our team has everything it
takes. We have R&D. With Chrysler coming on board we have a good
aerodynamics program, engineering support and wind tunnel time. All the
pieces are in place to have a really outstanding season."

ON RE-TEAMING WITH GARY SCELZI AND HAVING A THREE-CAR TEAM: "He's a good
driver. Last year, with Scotty Cannon on the team, it proved to be a benefit
to have two cars and now we have three. Last year it was a big change
because we took away a little bit from the Matco team to start the Oakley
team with Mike Neff going over to run the Oakley car. This year the one
Oakley team that Scelzi's driving for now was already established and
Scotty's new team this year is all new. Last year it was a learning process
on becoming a two-car team. Now we've added Dan Olson to work with Lee
(Beard) and Mike (Neff) in the computer room. That's a very, very positive
move. I think it's all a positive move to have Gary and Scotty over here and
have teammates and good cars and Mike Neff still working with Beard and Phil
Shuler working with Scotty. And of course, Wes Cerny working on the U.S.
Army dragster. We have a lot of good, very, very talented people."

ON COMPETING AGAINST YOUR TEAMMATES: "It's really hard to predict what will
happen because it's racing and everybody is very talented over here. Gary
has three rings on his hand; I've got a wedding ring. He knows how to win
races. Scotty Cannon, he has six-seven rings on his hand. He knows how to
win races. I am the one with the most experience in Funny Car, but that
doesn't mean that these guys are not going to be real competitive, because
they are. We are all going to have to beat John Force's team to win races,
that's the bottom line. It's going to be tough."

HOW ARE YOU AND GARY GOING TO WORK TOGETHER THIS SEASON?: "I'm going to help
him win his first race in a Funny Car and he's going to help me win my first
championship."