NHRA: Bazemore set to blast into contention in Gainesville
10 March 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Putnam, Connecticut- One of the more popular tourist
attractions in Florida is the John F. Kennedy Space Center. Located on
the Atlantic Coast near Cape Canaveral, it is home to NASA's manned space
program and over the last forty years has been the site of many historic
launches. Approximately 175 miles to the west in Gainesville, Whit
Bazemore looks to schedule a liftoff of his own at next weekend's Mac
Tools Gatornationals. But instead of a space shuttle, Bazemore's launch
vehicle will be the 6,000 horsepower Kendall Motor Oil/Matco Tools Camaro
Z28 Funny Car, with his and the Etchells Racing Team's mission being to
rocket down the quarter-mile and catapult themselves back into the thick
of the battle for the Winston Funny Car championship.
"The first two races have been pretty tough for us, but this Kendall/Matco Camaro really wants to run," stated Bazemore. "We had a great test after Phoenix where we posted three mid-4.90 runs in a row. Although we know that positive results in testing don't guarantee success, it's given the entire team a much-needed boost of confidence heading into the Gatornationals. The entire Etchells Racing team is excited and I'm chomping at the bit to get there."
Although over ninety percent of the season remains, Bazemore is fully aware of the importance of doing well in the Sunshine State. Currently tied for eighth in the points standings, the Etchells crew can ill afford losing ground to the leaders. In addition, it is crucial to develop a strong database for their "fuel coupe" during these initial events, where performance conditions are at their optimum. Such information could prove invaluable during upcoming races, facilitating adjustments on new or marginal tracks. As always, consistency and repeatability will the keys to success, and knowledge of how their racecar will react is a big part of the puzzle. It is an area in which Bazemore is confident they have made significant progress.
"In our case it was a matter of making enough runs on our Kendall/Matco Camaro to try different things and get on the right side of the tune-up," explained Bazemore. "I think we came a long way on the Monday after Phoenix, almost making up for our poor showing there. We're certainly not going to give up because we lost in the first round at one race. We have twenty-one races to go, and a lot of things can happen. Our competition looks strong, but I'm not concerned."
But the Gatornationals are far more than just another stop on the NHRA circuit. As the traditional East Coast season-opener, this venerable event is one that every competitor wants to win. There is also a special meaning attached to this for Whit Bazemore, Chuck Etchells, and the entire team which only serves as extra motivation.
"Historically, the Gatornationals have produced some surprises and outstanding performances," said Bazemore. "For example last year after we were the number one qualifier, Force's team came out in the first round and ran a pair of 4.70's, with Tony's 4.779 setting the national record that still stands. Joe Amato broke into the 260's here in the mid-80s (ironically, in a car tuned by Bazemore's current crew chief Tim Richards) and it's where Kenny Bernstein made history by becoming the first to ever run 300 mph.
"But besides the tradition, both Chuck (team owner Etchells) and I have a personal connection with Gainesville Raceway. It's where I first drove an alcohol Funny Car at Frank Hawley's school, and where Chuck got hooked on our sport. That alone would make a win here even more special. But even without the additional incentives, we enter every race to win, and the Gatornationals are in our sights."
Text provided by Etchells Racing
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