BAZEMORE NO. 6 AFTER TWO QUALIFYING SESSIONS IN SONOMA
SONOMA, Calif. (July 30, 2004) - Following two qualifying sessions today for the Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals, Whit Bazemore is No. 6 in the Funny Car field with the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge, based on the 4.908-second elapsed time at 315.12 mph he set in today's second round.
Because he posted a non-qualifying pass of 9.704/86.19 in the first session, he was relegated to the second pair to qualify in the second round. The track conditions were cool and Bazemore's pass was good for No. 1 at the time. As the track conditions steadily improved, Bazemore was first bumped by teammate Gary Scelzi for No. 1, then by Tony Pedregon, and eventually John Force, ending up No. 6.
"Where you run in the night session is critical and because of our struggles during the first run we were second pair," said Bazemore, the '99 winner here and three-time No. 1 qualifier at Infineon Raceway. "That was really a disadvantage because, No. 1, the track gets better as the session progresses, and No. 2, you're kind of a guinea pig for the track.
"The Matco Tools team guys read the track perfectly. It was just critical for us to go down the race track tonight and get qualified. They read it perfectly. We were low at that time and it lasted until the last three or four pair of the session. They did a great job and the team is working perfectly.
"Tomorrow we'll work on our race-day tune-up. We're feeling good."
Courtesy DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
Doug Kalitta, Force, Anderson and Hines Lead Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals presented by Supercuts
Top Pro Qualifiers:
Top Fuel - Doug Kalitta ( 4.574 @ 323.66 )
Bob Vandergriff is qualified #12 with a 4.770 @ 295.59
Funny Car - John Force ( 4.823 @ 318.84 )
Whit Bazemore is qualified #6 with a 4.908 @ 315.12
Pro Stock - Greg Anderson ( 6.723 @ 205.69)
Kurt Johnson is qualified #11 with a 6.787 @ 203.68
Mark Whisnant is not qualified ( #18th - 6.807 @ 202.58 )
Warren Johnson is not qualified ( #20th - 6.815 @ 203.68 )
Pro Stock Bike - Andrew Hines ( 7.113 @ 196.13 )
More info:
http://www.nhra.com/2004/events/race15/index.html
KJ Is Ready to Walk the Tightrope in the Napa Valley - ACDelco crew ready to uncork a win at Infineon Raceway
Sugar Hill, Ga., July 28, 2004 - The NHRA's Pro Stock category has long been considered the most competitive in all of motorsports, and the bar has been raised even further in 2004. At virtually every event, the fields have been running faster, with track records constantly being reset. As such, competitors know constant improvement is necessary to simply ensure their participation on race day.
Therefore, as the POWERade Drag Racing Series arrives at Infineon Raceway for the final race on the West Coast Swing, Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Racing team are working to wring every ounce of performance from their Cavalier, an assignment they are attacking on several fronts.
"We're doing a bit of a balancing act right now," said Johnson. "Naturally, we want to win every race we enter, which is our primary focus. However, we're also trying to run quicker, and you can't do that if you keep running the same equipment, so we're doing a little on-track R & D. Finally, we've uncovered a couple gremlins that have been affecting our performance, such as a problem with the fuel line that played tricks with the fuel pressure.
"Certainly, it's a tough combination to race with, but we're getting a handle on it. The bottom line is that we're ready to run the way we're capable of, and get this ACDelco Cavalier back into the winner's circle."
Located in the scenic Napa Valley north of San Francisco, Infineon Raceway has established itself as one of the premier facilities on the NHRA circuit since undergoing a major renovation in the last few years. With a record of prior success on the California quarter-mile, the Johnson crew is cautiously optimistic as they enter this weekend's event.
"I'm looking forward to racing at Infineon Raceway," stated Johnson. "It's a really nice place to race, and the improvements they've made to the entire facility have been tremendous. It also has a great atmosphere, and the perfect location to wrap up the West Coast Swing.
"We had a little bit of bad luck there last year, not qualifying until the last session, but we finally got in the show and had a pretty good day on race day, making it all the way to the semi-finals. In any case, that's in the past. We'll spend a couple days before the race in Woodburn (Oregon) tuning up the car and the driver, making sure each is at the top of their game.
"Having won in Sonoma in 2000, we certainly know how to get to the winner's circle, and the ACDelco Cavalier crew is ready to come back leaner and meaner this weekend."
Facts on Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Racing Team entering the Infineon Raceway Nationals:
* KJ's Record at Infineon Raceway: This will be Kurt's 12th appearance at Infineon Raceway, where he has one win (in 2000) in two final round appearances, with a 17-10 elimination round record. KJ also has three No. 1 qualifying performance in Sonoma in 1995, 1996 and 1999, and only one start outside the top half of the field.
* One year ago: Kurt qualified 13th with an elapsed time of 6.796 seconds and a top speed of 203.77 mph, and advanced to the semifinals.
* Winning percentage: Kurt's .646 elimination round winning percentage (370-203) ranks 10th among all active NHRA professional drivers.
* National event wins: Kurt's 28 national event victories ties him for 14th on the all-time NHRA professional win list, and tie him for fourth on the all-time Pro Stock win list. Kurt's most recent win came at this year's Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals in Phoenix, AZ.
* Career best elapsed time: 6.716 seconds, Englishtown, NJ. 2003
* Career best top speed: 206.61 mph, Englishtown, NJ. 2003
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
WJ Looks to Be Like Lance in Sonoma - GM Performance Parts team looks for successful end to West Coast Swing
SUGAR HILL, GA., July 28, 2004 - At first glance, Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and NHRA Pro Stock legend Warren Johnson would seem to have little in common. After all, one makes his living astride a bicycle while the other races the 1,300-horsepower GM Performance Parts Pro Stock Grand Am. Armstrong's events cover many miles over varied terrain, while Johnson races one quarter-mile at a time. One is a Texan born and raised, while the other is a native Minnesotan living in Georgia. One is dating a well-known rock star, while the other has been happily married for 42 years.
Upon closer inspection, however, certain similarities between these two champions suddenly arise. Each has six championships - Armstrong in the Tour de France, Johnson in the NHRA's Pro Stock division. Both are known for their meticulous preparation and tireless work ethic, as well as for pioneering technology in their respective fields. They have both had to race former employees, who left to join other teams. Finally, each has an affinity for wearing yellow - Armstrong as the leader of the Tour and Johnson in his familiar GM Performance Parts livery.
"I doubt anyone would confuse us for each other," deadpanned Johnson. "I guess I'm the good-looking one and he's the skinny one. However, as unlikely as it may seem, there are some similarities in our competitive endeavors.
"For example, even though we are seen as individual competitors, we are both involved in team sports, because there is no way any one person in either field can accomplish what they need to be successful on their own anymore. There are simply too many facets. However, where Lance has climbers and sprinters, we have clutch, chassis and rear end specialists.
"We also both employ the same 'old school' approach, where we figure things out ourselves, getting help as we need to accomplish the task. Finally, people have written us both off many times, and we've bounced back to prove them wrong."
This weekend, Johnson will look to add yet another resemblance to the list, as he aims to wheel his GM Performance Parts Grand Am into the POWERade Drag Racing Series winner's circle at Infineon Raceway, an event held, ironically, in the middle of the wine country of Northern California. With a record of previous successes, it is a likely location for the Johnson crew to return to the winner's circle.
"In the past, the surface at Infineon Raceway was among the worst on the circuit," stated Johnson. "In fact, I won a few races there by figuring out how to get down the racetrack when no one else could, including using bead lock wheels in 1994. However, it was completely resurfaced two years ago to where it is now one of the premiere facilities on the circuit.
"The situation in Sonoma could be similar to what we encountered with the new track in Seattle last weekend, where the racing surface will not be the determining factor in how you run. The track is going to be decent, and it will be for everyone.
"Our real challenge will be in zeroing in on where our GM Performance Parts Grand Am needs to be. It has shown flashes of brilliance, but not the consistency we need. There is nothing wrong with the car per se. We just have to stop putting the square pegs in the round holes, and find the proverbial sweet spot. Just as Mr. Armstrong did in Paris a week ago, we're looking to put the color yellow at the top of the podium in Sonoma."
Facts on Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts Racing Team entering The Infineon Raceway Nationals:
* WJ is Stellar in Sonoma: This will be Warren's 17th NHRA Pro Stock national event appearance in the Napa Valley, where he has three wins (tied with Darrell Alderman and Jim Yates for the most by any Pro Stock driver) in five final round appearances, and a 27-12 elimination round record.
* Warren's Qualifying Stats at Infineon Raceway: In his fifteen previous starts at Infineon Raceway, WJ has four No. 1 qualifying positions, with an average starting position of 3.5, and only one start outside the top half.
* One year ago: WJ qualified fourth with an elapsed time of 6.785 seconds with a top speed of 204.23 mph, but was upset by his son Kurt Johnson in the first round.
* Winning Streak: Warren Johnson is looking to extend a streak where has won at least one race a year for 22 consecutive years, which is the longest in NHRA history.
* No. 1 in National event wins: WJ's 92 national event victories are the most ever in the history of the Pro Stock division and place him second on the all-time NHRA win list. His most recent win came last year at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Reading, PA.
* Career best elapsed time: 6.715 seconds, Englishtown 2003
* Career best top speed: 205.69 mph, Englishtown 2003
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
BAZEMORE LOOKS TO IMPROVE SET-UP IN SONOMA
SONOMA, Calif. (July 27, 2004) - After reaching the Funny Car semifinal round at Pacific Raceways last weekend, Whit Bazemore is just nine points from moving back up the charts into second place in the championship rankings and 102 points short of the lead. The driver of the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus Funny Car remains firmly in the hunt for his first NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series crown.
The fastest and quickest Funny Car driver in NHRA history (4.713 seconds at 333.25 mph) and points leader through three events this year, turns his focus this week on finding the right set-up for his car under the recent new rules set down by NHRA and the hot temperatures expected at Infineon.
"It's going to be a hot race track most likely," says the two-time U.S. Nationals champion and two-time winner this season so far, "so it would be nice to have the opportunity for Lee (Beard, crew chief) and the Matco Tools team to have more runs with this new set-up. With the short time available between these last three back-to-back races (Denver, Seattle and Sonoma), I don't know if that's possible.
"But, we'll attack the dragstrip at Infineon Raceway the best way we know how to, and try to work on our combination so that we can be more competitive on hot tracks. In order to win, we can't count on there being overcast and cool conditions in Sonoma, because typically it's one of the hottest races of the year.
"It's going to be a challenge for everybody," he adds, "but we like the challenge, we're up for it. The Matco Tools team is awesome. Everybody gives 110 percent and when you have that kind of situation you end up being very successful. That's why we're going to be successful, because we're going to work hard and make things happen."
The Indianapolis resident has made things happen here in Sonoma. He was the Funny Car winner here in 1999 and runner-up in '98. He's also qualified No. 1 three times at this Northern California track, in '99, '00 and '01.
Pro qualifying is scheduled for 3 and 6 p.m. on Friday, July 30, and at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 31. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 1
On Saturday, July 31, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 7 p.m. (ET). On Sunday, Aug. 1, ESPN2 will televise three hours of eliminations at 8 p.m. (ET). On Sunday, Aug. 1, ESPN2 will televise NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 1 p.m. (ET).
WHIT BAZEMORE QUICK FACTS:
* Quickest and fastest Funny Car driver in NHRA history: 4.713-second ET (national record) at 333.25 mph
* Qualified No. 4 at Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals in 2003, lost second round to Gary Scelzi
* Has qualified in the top two in eight events so far in 2004
* No. 3 in NHRA Funny Car points after 14 races, with two wins, five final rounds
* First Funny Car driver to break 325-mph barrier (U.S. Nationals 2001)
* 2003 Funny Car points runner-up
* Won three times in 2003, runner-up five times
* Has 17 career Funny Car event wins
* Took the 2003 championship chase to penultimate race in Las Vegas in an exciting final round against eventual champion Tony Pedregon
* Was also second in the NHRA Funny Car championship in 2001, third in 1997 and '99 and has finished in the top five six times and 11 times in the top 10 since 1992
* Age 41, born in New York City, an avid cyclist, lives in Indianapolis with wife Michelle, a semi-pro cyclist
* 2004 is his fourth season with Don Schumacher Racing
* Two-time U.S. Nationals champion
Courtesy DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
HANCOCK GOT 'ER DUN WITH FIRST SUPER PRO VICTORY - Summit ET Series race at Atlanta Dragway in 2004
by Tim Glover
Photos: http://community.webshots.com/album/167247620ZHUWNd
(Commerce, GA -July 24) Since there was time, a "Run for the Money" event (racers put a dial in time on their car, run a time trial and the winner is the person who runs closest to the dial) was held just before eliminations began. Long time racer David Simmons won the Super Pro portion, running 6.941 on a 6.94 target in his S10 pickup. Simmons made sure to say thank you to Toby Barnes for his help. Rob Hogue's Monte Carlo put down an 11.756 on an 11.75 dial to win the Sportsman part of Run for the Money, and Johnny Turner won the pot in Jr. Dragster. Racers attending today's Summit ET Series race enjoyed some new upgrades to Atlanta Dragway, including new LED "christmas tree" bulbs at the starting line and software changes to the Compulink timing computer system. The changes are a .000 reaction time printout (formerly .500) and Crosstalk for the Super Pro racers.
For the second week in a row, a pair of Jr. Dragster "graduates" faced each other in the final round of Super Pro. Jeremy Hancock celebrated his first Super Pro win by driving back down the return road in front of the grandstands after defeating Hank Wilhelm of Homer, GA in a very close final. Both racers had dialed 5.53 in the semi-final round, and both chose to raise their dials to 5.54 for the final. Wilhelm was first off the line with a .019 react, but Hancock's '95 S&W dragster was close, with a .022. Hancock was first where it really mattered, by .0017 seconds, turning in a 5.545, 124.28mph pass. Wilhelm's '88 Spitzer dragster turned in a 5.549, 115.48mph pass. Mike Holman's '74 Buick Century Luxus (not Lexus), which still weighs 3600lbs, was one of the cars that made it to the semi-finals. The other semi-finalist was Jim Mayfield ('90 Beretta - Gainesville, GA). "Gosh, I feel so good. I finally got it!", Hancock exclaimed in the winner's circle. "Git 'er dun!", he added.
Sportsman winner Bill Boomhower from Walhalla, SC took time off from racing this year to repaint his '65 Belvedere, and won his first time back at the track in 2004. Boomhower met Dale Anderson, who traveled even further to get to the race, from Hayesville, NC. Boomhower used a .039 reaction time advantage to get the win with a 10.86, 116.46mph (10.83 dial). Anderson's '77 LUV was near perfect, running 11.084, 126.52mph on a 11.08 target. Chris Carlisle ('68 Camaro - Canton, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. Boomhower thanked Jeff Stone Auto Body and Super Service Tire for their help.
Trophy Street winner Phillip Wigington from Canton, GA expressed his appreciation to the people who helped him win the top spot with his '00 Camaro. He thanked James Rice for help with the tune up, Chris Vandergriff for letting him go racing and especially his girlfriend Louise, for putting up with him at the racetrack. Wigington met Jimmy Mason of Canon, GA in the final, and, like Boomhower, used a .03 second reaction time advantage to seal the deal with a 13.87, 102.85mph effort (13.81 dial). Mason's '94 Firebird also went .06 over the dial, running 14.36, 97.16mph. Harold Wilson ('74 Nova - Winder, GA) was the semi-final finisher.
For the second week in a row, Sport Compact points leader Eric "Buford" Duncan ('97 Cavalier - Homer, GA) won, with a 19.20, 62.16mph pass (18.90 dial). Terry Turpin's Maysville, GA based '03 Mitsubishi Evo was off the pace with a 13.61, 104.04mph pass (13.10 dial). Duncan again thanked his sponsor, Hedman Hedders.
Ten year old Joshua Sisson from Gainesville, GA has been on a roll this year, and won his fifth 8-12 year old Jr. Dragster race of the year (in seven final round appearances) with his Fresh Frozen Foods / Thermo King / Swinehart Equipment / C&L Landscaping / Specialty Loan Services backed Jr. Dragster. Sisson's opponent, Justin Fancher (10 - Conyers, GA) crossed the finish line first, but was too quick with a 9.34, 68.84mph pass (9.39 dial). Sisson won the trophy with a 9.07, 72.34mph pass (9.04 target). Preston LaCount (9 - Hull, GA) and Nick Albano (11 - Marietta, GA) earned a semi-final trophy. "We are fortunate. The Lord has blessed this team all season long," added Sisson's dad, Barry.
Fifteen year old Loganville, GA racer Bradley Myers has been around drag racing for a long time. Myers did the best (out of the Atlanta Dragway contingent) at the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals in Bristol last week, making it down to six cars in the 15 year old class (a total of just under 700 entries competed in classes ranging from 8 - 17 years old at this event). Tonight, he faced Alton Clements III (16 - Central, SC) in the 13-17 year old Jr. Dragster final, and showed his stuff with a dead-on 7.906, 80.40mph win. Clements, who recently won the rain delayed Night of Fire race after stepping back into his Jr. Dragster from his Super Pro '67 Camaro formerly campaigned by Jeremy Hancock, took too much win stripe and broke out. Clement's numbers were 8.494, 72.63mph (8.52 dial). "I like the new LED lights," added Myers. Cody Martin (16 - Buford, GA) was the semi-final trophy winner.
Sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Atlanta Dragway is located just off I-85 at Exit 149 in the Banks Crossing area of Commerce, Georgia. Information on all 2004 events may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com.
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jeremy Hancock '95 S&W dragster Commerce, GA 5.54 124.28 (5.54)
R/U: Hank Wilhelm '88 Spitzer dragster Homer, GA 5.54 115.48 (5.54)
Semi: Mike Holman '74 Century Luxus Covington, GA
Semi: Jim Mayfield '90 Beretta Gainesville, GA
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Bill Boomhower '65 Belvedere Walhalla, SC 10.86 116.46 (10.83)
R/U: Dale Anderson '77 LUV truck Hayesville, NC 11.08 126.52 (11.08)
Semi: Chris Carlisle '68 Camaro Canton, GA
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Phillip Wigington '00 Camaro Canton, GA 13.87 102.85 (13.81)
R/U: Jimmy Mason '94 Firebird Canon, GA 14.36 97.16 (14.30)
Semi: George Peters '70 Cutlass Lawrenceville, GA
SPORT COMPACT CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Eric "Buford" Duncan '97 Cavalier Homer, GA 19.20 62.16 (18.90)
R/U: Terry Turpin '03 Mitsubishi Evo Maysville, GA 13.61 104.04 (13.10)
8-12 JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Joshua Sisson 10 Gainesville, GA 9.07 72.34 (9.04)
R/U: Justin Fancher 10 Conyers, GA 9.34 68.84 (9.39)
Semi: Preston LaCount 9 Hull, GA
Semi: Nick Albano 11 Marietta, GA
13-17 JR. DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Bradley Myers 15 Loganville, GA 7.90 80.40 (7.90)
R/U: Alton Clements III 16 Central, SC 8.49 72.63 (8.52)
Semi: Cody Martin 16 Buford, GA
Semi: Nick Albano 11 Marietta, GA
BIG 'FAST FRIDAY' CROWD WATCHES THREE WINNERS EMERGE
Courtesy Tim Glover
BANKS CROSSING, GA Despite temperatures and humidity in the 90's, the Year One Fast Friday fans came out in droves, and were rewarded with some equally heated drag racing action.
In the Year One Power Hour contest, Ken Pepin of Alpharetta ran the quarter-mile in 12.551 seconds at 115.39 MPH to take home two Year One $50 Gift Certificate Vouchers. Flowery Branch racer Jeremy Wade earned the third $50 voucher for the Best Reaction Time of the 9-10 PM competition for strictly street-legal cars and pickup trucks. Wade cut a perfect "triple zero" light (.000) at the Christmas Tree before entering the Hayes Sport Compact Challenge at 11PM.
In street-legal Sport Compact Challenge action, two evenly matched racers, Peter Heu of Commerce and Maysville's Terry Turpin lined up for the "Fast Four" finale. Heu picked up the champion's trophy in what was arguably the best drag race of the evening, besting Turpin by less than a car length in a 12.229 second, 107.86 mph blast down the dragstrip in his nitrous-enhanced 1992 Honda Civic. Turpin remains the Hayes Sport Compact Challenge season points leader, with Heu in a 4-way tie for second place.
The next Year One Fast Friday program is scheduled for Friday, July 30th, and will feature another round of the Hayes Sport Compact Challenge in addition to the Year One Power Hour. Gates will open at 6:00 PM for both racers and spectators, with racing action beginning at 6:45 and the Hayes Sport Compact Challenge starting at 11 PM.
2004 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTSHAYES SPORT COMPACT CHALLENGEATLANTA DRAGWAY(As of 7/23/04)
Terry Turpin, 9
TIE - Shane Smallwood, 3
Jason Crowe, 3
Peter Heu, 3
Charlie Bass, 3
6. TIE - Keith Fortner, 2
Steven Feren, 2
David Draz, 2
Jay Cerboraz, 2
Jeremy Wade, 2
Alan Wallhansen, 2
Ritha Kim, 2
Jason Mooney, 2
Jeremy Wade, 2
15. TIE - John Vang, 1
Kris Adams, 1
Troy Keyes, 1
Isaac Agular, 1
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Craig Armstrong (706) 654-1898
