Bazemore in No. 12 After Two Qualifying Rounds in Pomona

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2004) - After posting a decent 4.829-second pass at
305.63 mph to place him No. 8 after one qualifying session yesterday, Whit
Bazemore, driving the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus Funny Car, lost
traction in today's second session, resulting in a 11.045/74.94 pass, which
dropped him to No. 12.

"We just shook the tires today, so it's kind of frustrating," said the
two-time U.S. Nationals champion who is looking to finish this season with a
win here at the season-ending Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA
Finals. "That's how it goes. The guys are working hard and the Matco Tools
Dodge just didn't respond.

"We were obviously trying to run a good solid 4.70 (-second elapsed time),
but it didn't happen. Tomorrow will be a different day and we'll go out and
try to make it happen then."

Nine cars produced 4.7-second passes in two rounds, ranging from 4.737
seconds (No. 1 Del Worsham) to 4.796 (No. 9 Cruz Pedregon).

Courtesy Judy Stropus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING