Two-time Denver winner Bazemore has one goal: to win again
DON SCHUMACHER RACING 2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES Round 13 of 23 Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals Bandimere Speedway Morrison, Colo. Race Date: July 14-16, 2006 MORRISON, Colo. (July 13, 2006) - Whit Bazemore has an outstanding record at Bandimere Speedway: two Funny Car wins, one runner-up finish and five No. 1 qualifiers. So, there's no question that the driver of the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car is eager to get back on the scenic quarter-mile dragstrip perched on the side of a mountain at this weekend's Mopar Mile-High Nationals. Bazemore has had the car to beat in recent NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events after struggling early in the season. He's qualified No. 2 four times this year, but has yet to turn the car's improvement into his first national-event victory of the year. He came close in Columbus, earning his first runner-up finish of 2006. His No. 1 goal for this weekend, he says, is to win for his longtime sponsor Matco Tools. "We have always done very well here. Bandimere Speedway is a great facility and the fans are awesome, especially on Friday night when the place is just jam-packed the way it always is," says Bazemore, an avid cyclist who's attempting to pedal to the top of 14,200-ft. Mt. Evans today. "It's an event for the city of Denver, and when you're really proud to be an NHRA drag racer is when you're racing at Bandimere Speedway. It makes you proud of the sport. Personally, it makes me proud to have won this race twice, because it's such a great place and they really do it right. "We like coming here and trying to reward the fans with a good show." WHIT BAZEMORE QUICK FACTS: * Eighth in 2006 Funny Car point standings after 12 events, with one runner-up and two semifinal finishes * Two-time U.S. Nationals champion, 1997 and 2001 * Ninth in final 2005 Funny Car point standings * Won two events in 2005 (Gainesville, Las Vegas), No. 1 qualifier once (Columbus) * No. 2 qualifier in 2005 Mopar Mile-High Nationas, lost second round to Tim Wilkerson * Has two wins at the Mopar Mile-High Nationals (2000 and 1997), one runner-up (1999) and five No. 1 qualifiers (2004, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1997) * First Funny Car driver to break 325-mph barrier (U.S. Nationals 2001) * Career quickest ET is 4.6.74 seconds (Chicago 2006), career fastest speed is 333.25 mph (Chicago 1 2004) * Has 19 career Funny Car event wins in 44 final rounds in 330 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 13 times in the top 10 since 1992 * Age 43, 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 (same as Bazemore's birthday) * 2006 is his sixth season with Don Schumacher Racing SCHEDULE: Friday, July 14, professional qualifying sessions are at 4:15 and 7:15 p.m. Saturday, July 15, pro qualifying sessions continue at 3:30 and 6 p.m. (Saturday¹s Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle sessions are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.) Sunday, July 16, final eliminationns begin at noon. TELEVISION: Saturday, July 14, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 10 p.m. (ET). Sunday, July 16, ESPN2 will televise three hours of eliminations at 9 p.m. (ET). Sunday, July 16, ESPN2 will televise NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). SATELLITE: Friday, July 14, 11-11:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6 / Transponder 17k (Downlink frequency: 12117 MHz, horizontal) Saturday, July 15, 8:30 - 9 p.m. (ET) SBS 6 / Transponder 17k (Downlink frequency: 12117 MHz, horizontal) Sunday, July 16, 9:30 - 10 p.m. (ET) SBS 6 / Transponder 17k (Downlink frequency: 12117 MHz, horizontal)