<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/W_Bazemore07.jpg" alt="W_Bazemore07" align="right"borders="0"/>
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 10, 2007) – Whit Bazemore and his Lee Beard-led Matco Tools Top Fuel team continue to work away towards earning one of the coveted eight positions in the Countdown to the Championship. The 20-time NHRA winner powered his David Powers-owned dragster to the No. 3 qualifying position Friday at Brainerd International Raceway.
Entering the 16th event on the 2007 NHRA schedule ranked seventh in the standings, the Eugene , Ore. resident used a tune-up from Beard to blast the Matco Tools dragster to the third quickest pass of the day clocking a run of 4.628 seconds at 321.50 mph on Friday’s second qualifying attempt. The Matco Tools/Valvoline rail smoked the tires on its opening effort and slowed to a run of 6.609-seconds. Bazemore has qualified in the top half of the field at 11 of 15 races this season.
“We knew the night run would be very critical after the high temperatures during the day,” Bazemore said. “We ran a 4.62 and that put us near the front of the pack. Our teammates did a good job and these two David Powers cars are one and three. We’re really excited. We didn’t expect to hang on near the front because the guys in the back ran on a cooler race track, but they weren’t able to capitalize on it. We’re very happy.”
Top Fuel qualifying resumes with sessions scheduled for noon and 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11. ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying highlights from the Lucas Oil Nationals at Midnight (ET) on Aug. 12
Q1 6.609 ET, 122.21 MPH No. 14
Q2 4.628 ET, 321.50 MPH No. 3
BAZEMORE FLIES TO NO. 3 SPOT FRIDAY AT BRAINERD
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 10, 2007) – Whit Bazemore and his Lee Beard-led Matco Tools Top Fuel team continue to work away towards earning one of the coveted eight positions in the Countdown to the Championship. The 20-time NHRA winner powered his David Powers-owned dragster to the No. 3 qualifying position Friday at Brainerd International Raceway.
Entering the 16th event on the 2007 NHRA schedule ranked seventh in the standings, the Eugene , Ore. resident used a tune-up from Beard to blast the Matco Tools dragster to the third quickest pass of the day clocking a run of 4.628 seconds at 321.50 mph on Friday’s second qualifying attempt. The Matco Tools/Valvoline rail smoked the tires on its opening effort and slowed to a run of 6.609-seconds. Bazemore has qualified in the top half of the field at 11 of 15 races this season.
“We knew the night run would be very critical after the high temperatures during the day,” Bazemore said. “We ran a 4.62 and that put us near the front of the pack. Our teammates did a good job and these two David Powers cars are one and three. We’re really excited. We didn’t expect to hang on near the front because the guys in the back ran on a cooler race track, but they weren’t able to capitalize on it. We’re very happy.”
Top Fuel qualifying resumes with sessions scheduled for noon and 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11. ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying highlights from the Lucas Oil Nationals at Midnight (ET) on Aug. 12
Q1 6.609 ET, 122.21 MPH No. 14
Q2 4.628 ET, 321.50 MPH No. 3
