BAZEMORE EAGER TO SHOWCASE IMPROVEMENT AT FAST ROUTE 66
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
JOLIET, Ill. (June 6, 2006) - Whit Bazemore is eager to get back to Route 66 Raceway for this weekend's CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, now that the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car is running strong.
Following his first final-round appearance of the season in round 8 of the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series in Columbus, Ohio, a solid showing in round 9 in Topeka, Kans., and a jump into seventh in points, the car's improved performance is expected to be showcased this weekend on what's considered the fastest track on the NHRA circuit.
Route 66 Raceway is famous for the records that have been set here, including Bazemore's quickest elapsed time of 4.713 seconds and career fastest speed of 333.25 mph, both established here in 2004 in what was at the time the quickest and fastest speed in Funny Car history.
Bazemore was the runner-up finisher that year in the first event, winner in 2003 (first event), winner of the second event in 2001, and the victor in the track's inaugural NHRA event in 1998.
"Chicago is a great track," he says. "It's probably the fastest track on the schedule now. So, naturally, we really love coming here because this is still what drag racing is all about, in spite of the all the rules that have been imposed on us.
"When you go to Chicago, the conditions allow you to let it all hang out the best you can, so you still have a chance to run quicker than you've ever run before. That's one reason we are drag racers. It's always exciting to come here.
"As I said many times, the Matco Tools team has already made a lot of progress this year. We still haven't reached our potential in terms of performance, but maybe in Chicago we can, and that's going to be our No. 1 goal, for sure, depending on the conditions, of course. But if it's anything but scorching hot, I think we'll have an opportunity to run our career best."
WHIT BAZEMORE QUICK FACTS:
* Seventh in 2006 Funny Car point standings after nine events (315 out of lead), 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)
* DNQ'd at 2005 CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals
* Is three-time winner at Route 66 Raceway (1998, 2001 2, 2003 1), runner-up in 2004 1
* First Funny Car driver to break 325-mph barrier (U.S. Nationals 2001)
* Career quickest ET is 4.713 seconds, career fastest speed is 333.25 mph, both set at Route 66 Raceway in 2004 in what was at the time the quickest and fastest speed in Funny Car history
* Has 19 career Funny Car event wins in 43 final rounds in 326 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, June 9, professional qualifying sessions are at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 10, pro qualifying sessions continue at 12:10 p.m. and 3:05 p.m. King Demon Crown elimination rounds are at noon, 3, and 4:25 p.m.
Sunday, June 11, pre-race ceremonies are at 10:30 a.m., final eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, June 10, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 5 p.m. (ET).
Sunday June 11, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will air NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, June 11, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of eliminations at 5 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, June 9, 10:30-11 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 15K (Downlink frequency, 12072 MHz, horizontal)
Saturday, June 10, 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 15K (Downlink frequency, 12072 MHz, horizontal)
Sunday, June 11, 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 15K (Downlink frequency, 12072 MHz, horizontal)
Contact: Judy Stropus
JOLIET, Ill. (June 6, 2006) - Whit Bazemore is eager to get back to Route 66 Raceway for this weekend's CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, now that the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car is running strong.
Following his first final-round appearance of the season in round 8 of the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series in Columbus, Ohio, a solid showing in round 9 in Topeka, Kans., and a jump into seventh in points, the car's improved performance is expected to be showcased this weekend on what's considered the fastest track on the NHRA circuit.
Route 66 Raceway is famous for the records that have been set here, including Bazemore's quickest elapsed time of 4.713 seconds and career fastest speed of 333.25 mph, both established here in 2004 in what was at the time the quickest and fastest speed in Funny Car history.
Bazemore was the runner-up finisher that year in the first event, winner in 2003 (first event), winner of the second event in 2001, and the victor in the track's inaugural NHRA event in 1998.
"Chicago is a great track," he says. "It's probably the fastest track on the schedule now. So, naturally, we really love coming here because this is still what drag racing is all about, in spite of the all the rules that have been imposed on us.
"When you go to Chicago, the conditions allow you to let it all hang out the best you can, so you still have a chance to run quicker than you've ever run before. That's one reason we are drag racers. It's always exciting to come here.
"As I said many times, the Matco Tools team has already made a lot of progress this year. We still haven't reached our potential in terms of performance, but maybe in Chicago we can, and that's going to be our No. 1 goal, for sure, depending on the conditions, of course. But if it's anything but scorching hot, I think we'll have an opportunity to run our career best."
WHIT BAZEMORE QUICK FACTS:
* Seventh in 2006 Funny Car point standings after nine events (315 out of lead), 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)
* DNQ'd at 2005 CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals
* Is three-time winner at Route 66 Raceway (1998, 2001 2, 2003 1), runner-up in 2004 1
* First Funny Car driver to break 325-mph barrier (U.S. Nationals 2001)
* Career quickest ET is 4.713 seconds, career fastest speed is 333.25 mph, both set at Route 66 Raceway in 2004 in what was at the time the quickest and fastest speed in Funny Car history
* Has 19 career Funny Car event wins in 43 final rounds in 326 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, June 9, professional qualifying sessions are at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 10, pro qualifying sessions continue at 12:10 p.m. and 3:05 p.m. King Demon Crown elimination rounds are at noon, 3, and 4:25 p.m.
Sunday, June 11, pre-race ceremonies are at 10:30 a.m., final eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, June 10, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 5 p.m. (ET).
Sunday June 11, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will air NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, June 11, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of eliminations at 5 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, June 9, 10:30-11 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 15K (Downlink frequency, 12072 MHz, horizontal)
Saturday, June 10, 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 15K (Downlink frequency, 12072 MHz, horizontal)
Sunday, June 11, 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 15K (Downlink frequency, 12072 MHz, horizontal)
posted by David @ 11:01 PM
<< Home