Bazemore, Matco Tools team, moving forward
DON SCHUMACHER RACING 2005 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES Round 16 of 23 LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS BRAINERD INT'L RACEWAY BRAINERD, MINN. Race Dates: Aug. 12-14, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell, 203-243-2438; jstropus@earthlink.net BAZEMORE, MATCO TOOLS TEAM, MOVING FORWARD BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 10, 2005) - Whit Bazemore and the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus R/T Funny Car team are moving forward in POWERade Drag Racing Series competition as a result of two strong semifinal-round finishes in the last two events. With five races under their belts and making steady progress following a change in crew chiefs, Bazemore and tuners Dan Olson and Todd Okuhara are continuing on their upward path and look forward to this weekend's Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals to improve the car's performance and solidify the troops. "The Matco Tools team is coming around and we've had two good races, with two semifinal finishes in a row," said Bazemore, who has won twice this year and led the points early in the season, then fell into a slump mid-way. "Those results are the kind of results you want because when you're doing that it puts you in a position to get to a final and puts you in a position to win races. Ultimately that's what we're trying to do. "We're still trying to get a handle on the combination so the car reacts exactly the way Dan and Todd want it to every time and there have been little things here and there that they're working on. "All in all, I'd say we're back on track and we are certainly moving in the right direction." The two-time U.S. Nationals champion and Indianapolis resident does not count Brainerd among his 19 career Funny Car victories, but was runner-up here twice (in 1999 and 2001) and No.1 qualifier in 2001 and 1997. "It's been a good track for us," said the avid cyclist. "It's a track with personality. It's in a vacation area and it's really nice here. I'll go out for a two- or three-hour bike ride on Thursday and enjoy the scenery while getting a good workout." SCHEDULE: On Friday, Aug. 12, professional qualifying sessions are at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 13, pro qualifying continues at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Sunday, Aug. 14, pre-race ceremonies are at 10 a.m. and final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. TELEVISION: On Saturday, Aug. 13, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 6 p.m. (ET). On Sunday, Aug.14, ESPN2 will televise three hours of eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET). Also on Sunday, Aug.14, ESPN2 will televise NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET). WHIT BAZEMORE QUICK FACTS: * Two-time U.S. Nationals champion, 1997 and 2001 * Sixth in 2005 Funny Car point standings after 15 events,192 points out of lead, five points short of fifth place * Won two events this year (Gainesville, Las Vegas), No. 1 qualifier once (Columbus) * Qualified No. 5 at 2004 Lucas Oil Nationals, lost first round to Tommy Johnson Jr. * Runner-up here in 1999 and 2001 * No. 1 qualifier here in 1997 and 2001 * Qualified in the top two in nine events in 2004, four times in No. 1 * No. 6 in 2004 Funny Car points, with two wins, five final rounds * First Funny Car driver to break 325-mph barrier (U.S. Nationals 2001) * Career quickest ET is 4.713 seconds, career fastest speed is 333.25 mph, both set at Route 66 Raceway in 2004 in what was at the time the quickest and fastest speed in Funny Car history * Won three times in 2003, runner-up five times * Has 19 career Funny Car event wins in 43 final rounds in 310 races * Took the 2003 championship chase to penultimate race in Las Vegas in an exciting final round against eventual champion Tony Pedregon * Was second twice in the Funny Car championship in 2001 and 2003, third in 1997 and '99 and has finished in the top five six times and 12 times in the top 10 since 1992 * Age 42, born in New York City, an avid cyclist, lives in Indianapolis with wife Michelle, a competitive amateur cyclist, and son Dashiell Aidan, born March 12, 2005 * 2005 is his fifth season with Don Schumacher Racing ***