Bazemore has disappointing run in Topeka

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2005 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 9 of 23
O'REILLY NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS
HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, Kan.
Race Dates: May 27-29, 2005

TOPEKA, Kans. (May 29, 2005) - Whit Bazemore's bad luck of the last several
races continued today at Heartland Park Topeka, when he lost his fourth
straight first-round Funny Car match-up of the year at the O'Reilly Summer
Nationals.

As No. 6 qualifier he faced the No. 11 qualifier, his teammate Ron Capps, in
what was expected to be an exciting race to the finish between the two
fierce competitors and friendly rivals.

The pair's reaction times were nearly identical: .081 for Bazemore, .080 for
Capps, but Bazemore's day ended early as the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge
Stratus struck the tires and Bazemore lost his valiant attempt to win that
round by slowing to an 8.047/111.09 pass. Capps lit up the win light with a
4.867/315.93 pass.

"We just went out and we smoked the tires and it's a frustrating situation
and we're in a funk," said a disappointed Bazemore, who was the defending
Funny Car champion here in Topeka, where he also won his first Funny Car
race in 1997. "Our car has a mind of its own right now and doesn't respond
well to (crew chief Lee) Beard's input.

"As a team, we have to pick ourselves up and fix our problems and go to the
next race.

"Our team will be testing here at Heartland Park on Monday in an ongoing
effort to increase our competitiveness and put ourselves back to where we
know we belong."

Bazemore hangs on to fifth place in the Funny Car point standings, just 51
points out of second.

Next up is the CARQUEST NHRA Nationals in Joliet, Ill., on June 10-12, 2005.

FUNNY CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. John Force, 715 (winner today)
2. Robert Hight, 588
3. Gary Scelzi, 576
4. Cruz Pedregon, 539
5. Whit Bazemore, 537
6. Ron Capps, 515
7. Tommy Johnson Jr., 502
8. Eric Medlen, 472
9. Tony Pedregon, 405
10. Bob Gilbertson, 385