The Bazemore Bulletin
Contact: Ted Yerzyk
23rd annual Checker Schuck’s Kragen Nationals
February 23-25, 2007
Firebird International Raceway
Chandler, Ariz.
"I'm going to my second race in Top Fuel. I have a better idea of what to expect and more experience in the car. Confidence-wise, I'll be way more confident in Phoenix than at Pomona and that's important. I feel really good about every aspect of our team. I'm confident that I can compete."
Bazemore CSK Nationals Notebook
Last February, Bazemore qualified 11th at the CSK Nationals with a run of 4.780 seconds at 315.71 mph. He was defeated in the opening round of eliminations to then teammate Ron Capps.
Four weeks ago, Bazemore cross-graded his NHRA Funny Car license for eligibility to compete in the Top Fuel category. Bazemore had driven Funny Cars since 1989. He first-ever pass in a Top Fuel dragster came on Jan. 26, 2007, at the Phoenix-area track. He made a testing-best run of 4.500 seconds on Jan. 31.
Firebird International Raceway is one of 9 current tracks where Bazemore has yet to win a race. He has claimed victories at 12 tracks and multiple wins at 6 tracks. He has advanced to the semifinals four times at the Phoenix-area track.
The highest Bazemore has qualified at the Phoenix race is second in 2004 when he clocked a run of 4.782 seconds at 322.34 mph.
At the 2007 NHRA season-opener, Bazemore qualified in the No. 7 position (4.507 seconds) and advanced the second round of eliminations before falling in a narrow match to teammate Rod Fuller, 4.557 to 4.561. He currently sits sixth in the Top Fuel standings.
Baze Banters About Phoenix...
Firebird International Raceway: "Desert Dirt"
Favorite Phoenix-area cycling route: "Mt. Lemon in Tucson"
Favorite local restaurants: "Sakana"
Favorite Firebird Int’l Raceway memory: "Several times doing well at testing and you start the year off well."
2007 NHRA Top Fuel Standings
1. J.R. Todd (1) 114 - - - -
2. Brandon Bernstein 95 - 19
3. ROD FULLER 77 -37
4. David Grubnic 73 -41
5. Doug Kalitta 55 -59
6. WHIT BAZEMORE 53 -61
7. Bob Vandergriff, Jr. 52 -62
8. Joe Hartley 51 -63
9. Tony Schumacher 38 -76
10. Larry Dixon 34 -80
Whit Bazemore's Career Results at Firebird International Raceway
Year Qualified Finish & Winning Driver
1992 No. 14 2nd round—Richard Hartman
1993 No. 8 1st round—Kenji Okazaki
1995 No. 9 1st round—Tony Pedregon
1996 No. 6 Semifinals—Chuck Etchells
1997 No. 10 Semifinals—John Force
1998 No. 10 2nd round—Chuck Etchells
1999 No. 3 Semifinals—Cruz Pedregon
2000 No. 11 1st round—Al Hofmann
2001 No. 3 1st round—Del Worsham
2002 No. 16 1st round—John Force
2003 No. 6 Semifinals—Gary Densham
2004 No. 2 2nd round—Del Worsham
2005 No. 14 2nd round—Phil Burkart, Jr.
2006 No. 11 1st round—Ron Capps (foul)
Whit Bazemore's Phoenix Schedule
Date & Time Event and Location
Fri., Feb. 23, 2/4:30 p.m. TF Qualifying 1/2, Firebird Int'l Raceway
Sat., Feb. 24, 12:30/3 p.m. TF Qualifying 3/4, Firebird Int'l Raceway
Sun., Feb. 25, 11 a.m. Final Eliminations, Firebird Int'l Raceway
Whit Bazemore's Career-Best Performances
E.T.—4.507 seconds (TF) Pomona, Calif. Feb. 2007
MPH—329.75 MPH (TF) Pomona, Calif. Feb. 2007
E.T.—4.674 seconds (FC) Joliet, Ill. June 2006
MPH—333.25 MPH (FC) Joliet, Ill. June 2004
Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals TV Schedule (ESPN2)
Date & Time (ET) Coverage
Sat., Feb. 25, 12-1 a.m. Qualifying Highlights
Sun., Feb. 25, 11:30 a.m.-Noon NHRA Raceday
Sun., Feb. 25, 7-10 p.m. Final Eliminations Coverage
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posted by David @ 4:40 PM
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