WJ Steps Up, Qualifies Fourth in Thunder Valley
Contact: Jon Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.
Warren Johnson completed a solid qualifying effort on Saturday at the O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, TN. On each of his first three attempts, Johnson bettered his previous time, with his 6.741-second, 204.54 mph best earning the GM Performance Parts GTO driver earning the fourth position for Sunday's final eliminations. Making "The Professor's" performance even more remarkable was the relatively unknown component sitting in his race car's engine bay.
"We were using a brand new engine this weekend that we really didn't have a handle on. In fact, I had already left for Bristol when they dynoed it. However, it showed some promise, so we decided to bite the bullet and start working with it here, because if it does show potential, as it did in qualifying, we need to get a second one done for (son) Kurt's car as soon as possible.
"We went back to what we would consider a normal set-up for our GM Performance Parts GTO this morning, and came up with that 6.741-second run right off the bat, so we're pretty certain we don't need to reinvent the wheel on this one. That was an excellent run based on the tune-up we had in the engine. We'll tickle the chassis a little for tomorrow morning, as well as the gear and the clutch, and make the most of it. I'm definitely ready to defend my title from a year ago."
KJ & Crew Overcome Obstacles, Qualify 14th in Bristol
Contact: Jon Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.
On paper, Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team's qualifying effort at the O'Reilly Thunder Valley NHRA Nationals would seem like any other. Based on his 6.762-second, 204.54 mph run from Saturday afternoon, the second-generation racer captured the 14th starting position for Sunday's final eliminations at Bristol Dragway.
However, a review the last few day's events reveal that the Johnson-led crew put forth a yeoman effort in order to secure their spot for race day. On Thursday, the team transporter was felled by a transmission failure 30 miles from Bristol, which required a tow in order to reach the track.
The team's misfortunes continued on Friday, as a pin fell out of the throttle linkage just prior to their first qualifying attempt, resulting in their making that first run without the benefit of a full burnout. In the evening session, their tremendous .989 sixty-foot time was negated by the car popping out of second gear.
The challenges continued on Saturday, as the combination of a loss of oil pressure, a failed temperature gauge and an inoperative data acquisition system during their morning warm-up produced a last-minute thrash. Through it all, the team never faltered, working together to fix the problems and get back on track.
"It has been one heck of a weekend so far. It seemed like we had to deal with three or four things every day. Some were mistakes, others were things I haven't had happen in 13 years of racing. However, the entire ACDelco Cobalt crew never stopped. They just kept beating and banging, trying to fix things and go on. The way we see it, we have more parts in the trailer, and things like this just make us smarter.
"I just wish our car had run a little bit better in qualifying. We got behind the eight ball with the problem on Friday night, so we had to be a little conservative this morning so we could make sure to get down the track and in the show.
"The good thing is that we know what to do for tomorrow. We’ve been through three rounds of adapting to the race track, so we'll put it back to where it was this morning when it ran well. We'll get after it for the first round and see how it does.
"I'm not disappointed at all, because all you have to do in Pro Stock to have a shot at winning is qualify, and we’ve done that. We're looking forward to having fun tomorrow."
BAZEMORE HOLDS ON TO NO. 2 THROUGH FOUR QUALIFYING ROUNDS IN BRISTOL
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
BRISTOL, Tenn. (April 29, 2006) - It's definitely a sign of progress when a team and driver that have been struggling all season are disappointed with a No. 2 qualifying result.
That's the case with driver Whit Bazemore and the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car team, who fell just hundredths and/or thousandths of a second short of No. 1 in qualifying rounds for the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
Bazemore first lost out to Eric Medlen by .020 of a second in his first attempt with a 4.899-second elapsed time at 307.02 mph to Medlen's 4.879/304.80, then by .008 of a second in the second session (4.763/327.03 to Medlen's 4.755/306.53).
Both drivers smoked their tires in the third round and held position. In the final session, Bazemore and the Matco Tools team were aiming for the top, but came up short again, despite posting the second quickest ET of the round, a 4.776-second lap at 323.97 mph, while Medlen again lost traction.
Bazemore, the most successful Funny Car driver at Bristol Dragway (one win, two runners-up and one No. 1 qualifier), did collect the top speed so far of the weekend, with the 327.03-mph run on Friday.
"It feels good to have a good running car again and to be in contention," said Bazemore. "It's a result of the effort that the Matco Tools guys have made and the fact that when you're down and out it's really the true test of your character. It's so easy to give up, make radical changes, throw in the towel, whatever. And when you're down and out is when you have to dig deep.
And everyone on the team has to dig deep and focus on their goals and their abilities, and make things happen in a positive way. And that's what everyone did.
"There's no question that we've turned the corner. It doesn't mean that we've automatically started winning races yet; we still have to do that. But all it means now is that our car is a contender and it's running well and we have a chance to be competitive on race day. It's that next step that we are now making, focusing on race day, much like we did in Vegas where we went to the semis.
"Bristol has been really good to us in the past. We're going to sleep well tonight and be ready to win rounds tomorrow."
Bazemore faces Tim Wilkerson in first round of eliminations on Sunday.
TROXEL NOTCHES HER FIRST TOP FUEL CAREER POLE IN BRISTOL
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
BRISTOL, Tenn. (April 29, 2006) - The 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season has been a series of stunning accomplishments for Melanie Troxel, driver of the Skull Shine/Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing. She added to the list today by collecting her first career No. 1 Top Fuel qualifying spot at the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley
Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
The Top Fuel points leader's pole-setting Friday night pass of 4.539 seconds at 324.05 mph held through two more qualifying sessions. Her other passes included a 4.673/299.46, a tire-smoking 6.028/144.01 and, finally, a 4.599/324.59.
"This is definitely an indication that our package is getting more solid," said Troxel. "I think we are just getting better and better as we go along.
"It was only a few races ago that we were struggling to get into the field, and even though we were having a lot of success on Sunday, you lose a lot of information by not getting down the track on all those qualifying passes. It also helps to be in the top half of the field and to theoretically have an easier draw.
"You come out on Friday and the game plan is to make a conservative run on that first pass to get in the field, so you have that leeway to go out and try some things. Friday night is obviously your one shot to go get that No. 1 qualifying spot. Saturday is when you really start working on (setup for) race conditions. That's your first time to see what a warm track will hold. That's when you really have to push it to see where that limit is to see how far you can go on Sundays."
Crew chief Richard Hogan, while pleased with the achievement, is realistic: "It's good for the team," he said, "but we've taken the approach this year that if you are qualified first to sixth you are in good shape for Sunday. I was a little concerned this morning when it was cool; I thought we might get bumped. But, we held on, so we get the check."
On Sunday Troxel will attempt to tie her teammate Tony Schumacher's record by reaching her seventh straight final round, dating back to the final race of 2005, sixth of the season.
The action begins at 12 p.m. on Sunday, as Troxel matches up against No. 16 qualifier Doug Foley in the first round of final eliminations.
Troxel, Medlen and Line Top Pro Qualifiers at the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Q
VANDERGRIFF LOOKING TO CASH IN AT BRISTOL
Bristol, Tenn., (April 24, 2006)- Bob Vandergriff Jr. is looking forward bringing his UPS Top Fuel dragster to Bristol Dragway for this weekends O'Rielly NHRA Thunder Mountain Nationals at Bristol Dragway. Vandergriff feels that the Mountain owes him one. Back in 1999, it looked as though Vandergriff had the Mountain under control. He had qualified his Top Fueler in the No. 1 position in a race called the "NHRA All-Stars." The showdown matched Dragsters against Funny Cars. Vandergriff proceeded to mow down the competition. He was on his way to a huge payday, but was stopped by John Force in the final round.
During the two week break following the Las Vegas race, the Jim Dupuy-led team continued a tradition that started when they worked with Joe Amato and then driver, Darrell Russell. A few of the team members live in Louisiana and each year they run an exhibition at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, La. during the NHRA Jegs.com Cajun Sportsnationals. This outing gave the team a chance to test some new equiptment and gather a little more info about the new Goodyear tire that became mandatory for the fuel classes to run at Gainesville.
Vandergriff will enjoy an early start to the Bristol event as he and other NHRA drivers will play in the third annual Bristol Dragway Golf Tournament benefiting Speedway Children's Charities. Vandergriff, a scratch golfer, will bring both of his passions together as he competes to bring home the "Darrell Russel Cup."
With UPS Corporate headquaters being a short distance away, Vandergriff will have a huge cheering section at Bristol. "I'd like to go back and cash in on the one we left in the bank, from the All-Star race," Vandergriff said.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
Friday, April 28, professional qualifying sessions are at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, April 29, pro qualifying sessions continue at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. On Sunday, April 30, pre-race ceremonies are at 11 a.m. Final elimination's begin at noon.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, April 29, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 10 p.m. (ET). Sunday, April 30, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will telecast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET). Sunday, April 30, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final round eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, April 28, 10-10:30 p.m. (ET) Å] SBS 6, Transponder 2 K (11749.5 MHz, vertical).
Saturday, April 29, 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) Å] SBS 6, Transponder 2 K (11749.5 MHz, vertical).
Sunday, April 30, 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) Å] SBS 6, Transponder 2 K (11749.5 MHz, vertical).
Ken Sklute
Vandergriff Motorsports Public Relations
WWW.VANDERGRIFFMOTORSPORTS.com
MOST SUCCESSFUL BRISTOL FUNNY CAR DRIVER BAZEMORE SET TO DELIVER AGAIN
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
MOST SUCCESSFUL BRISTOL FUNNY CAR DRIVER BAZEMORE SET TO DELIVER AGAIN
Will skip usual bicycle ride on Blue Ridge Parkway to return for major
October trek
BRISTOL, Tenn. (April 26, 2006) - Whit Bazemore, the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Charger Funny Car team and Bristol Dragway are made for each other. The two-time U.S. Nationals champion has bragging rights as Bristol's most successful Funny Car driver, having reached three of the five final rounds run here, winning once.
Bazemore's victory came in 2002 and his runner-up finishes were earned in 2003 and in 2004 (as low qualifier).
"We like Bristol a lot," says Bazemore. "It's another Bruton Smith track where he's done it right, invested a lot of money in our sport, and made it a showcase.
"We really like coming here. It's a great place for the fans. It's one of the best drag-racing facilities in the country in terms of cleanliness, acoustics, fan-friendliness. It's first-class all the way. It's motivating, because you're proud to be part of it.
"It's very cool to hear that we're the most successful Funny Car racer here. I wish I could say that about every other track we race on."
After struggling in the first four races of the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Bazemore landed in the semifinal round at the last event in Las Vegas. He's confident that testing sessions and continuous development by the Matco Tools team to adapt to the new Goodyear tire have made a difference as he seeks to add to his Bristol record this weekend at the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.
"Our team is definitely on the upswing," he says. "We've had a pretty difficult start to the season (first-round losses in the first four events), but the last race was good. We went to the semis in Vegas at a track where we typically do well, and Bristol is one of those, too.
"I'm the most confident I've been all year with the performance of the Matco Tools Dodge Charger and the way our team is working. We're coming to Bristol with confidence and with every intention of being in a position to win the race."
NO BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY BIKE RIDE THIS TRIP
An avid cyclist, Whit Bazemore has attacked the hills of the Blue Ridge Parkway in years past en route to Bristol and again the day following the event. He originally planned to do the same this trip, but has since postponed it until October, when he and ESPN broadcaster Mike Dunn will
endure a six-day treacherous trek.
"Normally, at Bristol we'll ride on Thursday and Monday," says Bazemore, who rides a Seven Bicycle. "This year I'm just coming in late on Thursday and leaving Sunday night. So, we're not going to ride the Blue Ridge this trip. But, we are going to ride the entire Blue Ridge Parkway in October, which will be a very special trip.
"I want to do it in five days, Dunn wants to do it in seven, so we'll probably settle on six. It's about 500 miles with some 50,000 feet of climbing and elevation change, which is just stupendous. It will be the hardest week of riding a bike you can do without racing the whole week.
"In terms of terrain, it's some of the most challenging in this country for a 500-mile ride. For that length of continuous riding it's very challenging."
WHIT BAZEMORE QUICK FACTS:
* 10th in 2006 Funny Car point standings after five events
* Two-time U.S. Nationals champion, 1997 and 2001
* Ninth in 2005 Funny Car point standings
* Won two events in 2005 (Gainesville, Las Vegas), No. 1 qualifier once (Columbus)
* Qualified No. 11 at 2005 O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals, lost first round to Tommy Johnson Jr.
* Is the most successful Funny Car driver at Bristol: 2002 winner, runner-up twice (2003 and 2004) and No. 1 qualifier in 2004
* 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 323 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
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
Friday, April 28, professional qualifying sessions are at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, April 29, pro qualifying sessions continue at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. On Sunday, April 30, pre-race ceremonies are at 11 a.m. Final eliminations begin at noon.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, April 29, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 10 p.m. (ET). Sunday April 30, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will telecast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET). Sunday, April 30, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final round eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, April 28, 10-10:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 2 K (11749.5 MHz, vertical).
Saturday, April 29, 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 2 K (11749.5 MHz, vertical).
Sunday, April 30, 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 2 K (11749.5 MHz, vertical).
Drag Racing Legend Ronnie Sox Passes
