[EMAIL] Etchells Racing Pre Chicago Release
31 May 2000
Attached and listed below please find the pre-race release issued for Whit
Bazemore and the Kendall Motor Oil/Matco Tools Camaro Z28 Racing Team as they
prepare for this weekend's Prestone Nationals in Joliet, Illinois.
Should you have any questions, require additional information, or would like
to speak with Whit Bazemore or team owner Chuck Etchells, please feel free to
contact me.
Regards,
Jon Knapp
Chuck Etchells Racing
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
Phone: (704) 662-3121
Fax: (704) 662-3021
BAZEMORE KEEPS THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE, LOOKS FOR A STRONG SHOWING IN CHICAGO
Putnam, Connecticut, May 30, 2000 - By all accounts, the 2000 NHRA Winston
Drag Racing season has been one that Whit Bazemore and the Etchells Racing
Team would rather forget. Although the Kendall Motor Oil/Matco Tools Camaro
Z28 Funny Car has consistently been among the top performers in qualifying,
similar success has eluded them during final eliminations. Naturally, those
outside the team are quick to provide a laundry list of reasons for this
uncharacteristic performance and provide just as many ways to rectify the
situation. This veteran crew, however, wastes little time on such "bench
racing", opting instead to roll up their sleeves and work even harder.
Entering this weekend's Prestone Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Illinois, Whit
Bazemore is quick to caution those pundits who have written the team off.
"Whenever a team is in slump, it is important to keep things in perspective,"
explained Bazemore. "Take this past weekend in Dallas as an example. The
Kendall/Matco team gave me a Camaro capable of winning the race. We were the
top qualifier up until the last session, when we missed out on a tiebreaker.
On Sunday, we were ahead of our opponent when we had a freak parts failure.
"In any other season, people would shrug such an upset off, because the
performance was there and the team made no mistakes. But since we're
struggling, that first round loss is given more importance than it really
should. Fortunately, this Etchells Racing team knows better, and has
remained focused on our goal of winning races."
This weekend, the NHRA circuit winds its way into Route 66 Raceway. Located
just south of Chicago, this facility has been one of drag racing's showplaces
since its addition to the schedule in 1998. However, as the third race in as
many weeks, teams will spend little time enjoying its amenities,
concentrating instead on dealing with an entirely new set of racing
conditions. In this track's brief history, Whit Bazemore and the Etchells
Racing team have each enjoyed success, with Bazemore winning the inaugural
event, and the Kendall/Matco Camaro claiming a third place qualifying
performance and semi-final finish among its Route 66 accomplishments. Such
credentials fuel the team's belief that this could be the perfect starting
point for a return to the winning form that has distinguished them over the
last decade.
"There is no denying that we've had a tough year - one that tests your
resolve," said Bazemore. "Are we frustrated? Yes, a little bit. We hate
being 8th in points - that's not our team. But the good news is there's time
left in the season to show what we're made of. We're digging deeper and
resolving problems, and I feel good about the direction the team is headed
in.
"Naturally, it's a shame that we didn't capitalize on the strong car we had
in Dallas. This is a top team, one of the hardest working and most well
prepared in the sport, but sometimes, no matter what you do, it's not going
to be your day. We see ourselves heading into Chicago with some positive
momentum. We're starting to perform better, and the Kendall/Matco Camaro is
running really well. We're looking forward to this weekend in Chicago. If we
get the job done there, and I know we can, we'll put this dreadful beginning
of the year behind us for good."
- more-
Etchells Racing - Pre Chicago
2-2-2-2
Quick Whits: This will be Whit Bazemore's 3rd appearance at Route 66, where
he hopes to duplicate his winning performance from the inaugural event in
1998 …. Bazemore's best qualifying performance in Joliet to date is 3rd,
which he accomplished last year…. Bazemore is also looking to move up from
his current 8th place position in the Winston Drag Racing Series season's
points standings.
Fast Facts
WHAT 3rd annual Castrol Nationals, the tenth event on the 23-race 2000
NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series Schedule.
WHEN: June 1-4, 2000
WHERE: Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, Illinois
SCHEDULE: Pro qualifying sessions start with two sessions on Friday, June 2
at 4:00 and 8:00 p.m., and conclude on Saturday, June 3 with two rounds at
12:15 and 4:00 p.m. Final eliminations begin at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 4.
TV: ESPN2 will air two hours of qualifying highlights on Saturday, June 3
from 8 - 10 p.m., followed by two hours of final eliminations coverage on
Sunday, June 4 from 5 - 7:00 p.m.. (Times given are Eastern. As always,
please check your local listings.)
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