<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/1/w_bazemore06.jpg" align="left" alt="w_bazemore06" />
PITTSBORO, Ind. (Nov. 21, 2006) – Once the NHRA season concludes, the 12 off weeks in the months of November, December and January are referred to as the off season. For most NHRA teams, there is no off season. Other than some time off around the holidays, NHRA teams spend the winter months gearing up for upcoming 23-race cross-country grind and preseason testing at Las Vegas and Phoenix.
For an expanding race team, as is the case for David Powers Motorsports, timing in those 12 short weeks becomes even more crucial. A few months back, it was announced that Matco Tools would be joining David Powers Motorsports with a second Top Fuel dragster to be piloted by 20-time NHRA Funny Car winner Whit Bazemore. Having watched “Hot” Rod Fuller drive his Valvoline-backed rail to a fifth-place ranking in the Top Fuel division in 2006, Powers is even more energized about the ’07 season with his Lee Beard-led two-car effort.
“Things are finally coming into fruition,” Powers said. “Before that, it’s just a vision or a dream. Once things start arriving at the Indy shop, it becomes a reality. It’s like seeing your dreams come true.”
On Monday, November 27, the Powers camp will take delivery of three Brad Hadman chassis and one-piece carbon fiber Top Fuel dragster bodies. Two chassis will be for Bazemore’s Matco Tools team, while the third chassis will serve as a spare for the “Hot” Rod Fuller-driven dragster. Shortly thereafter, two bodies will be transported to Olson Paint & Body in Peru, Ind., to be painted by veteran race painter Brian Olson before receiving vinyl graphics from Indianapolis-based Freelance Lettering, Inc. to complete the look of the new Matco Tools Iron Eagle dragster.
“Right now, we’re full speed ahead getting everything prepared for next season,” Bazemore said. “It’s different starting a team from scratch as opposed to just rebuilding. We’ve hired some very talented people and all the parts are rolling in the door everyday. It’s an exciting time for the new Matco team. It’s like Christmas every day at the shop leading up to testing in January. I can’t wait!”
Last week, the team received a new 56-foot transporter from Henderson, Texas-based Competition Trailers that will house the Matco Tools Top Fuel team. The Matco Tools pit crew, which includes championship members from both Larry Dixon’s Miller Lite team and Gary Scelzi’s Oakley Funny Car crew, will begin at Powers’ Pittsboro, Ind. race shop on Nov. 27. The plan is for the Matco Tools Top Fuel team to debut at the fifth annual Nitro Blast Off, Jan. 19-21, 2007, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where Bazemore will see his first seat time in a Top Fuel car.
The DPM team also will add a tech trailer to its growing pit compound, along with a modern hospitality area that will serve up to 200 Matco Tools employees and guests. The hospitality setup will offer a unique outlook to its valued guests. With the two Top Fuel dragsters situated on each side, guests will have an unobstructed view of both race teams as the pit crew members work and prepare the 8,000 horsepower nitro-burning machines.
Powers/Bazemore See Matco Tools Top Fuel Team Coming To Fruition
PITTSBORO, Ind. (Nov. 21, 2006) – Once the NHRA season concludes, the 12 off weeks in the months of November, December and January are referred to as the off season. For most NHRA teams, there is no off season. Other than some time off around the holidays, NHRA teams spend the winter months gearing up for upcoming 23-race cross-country grind and preseason testing at Las Vegas and Phoenix.
For an expanding race team, as is the case for David Powers Motorsports, timing in those 12 short weeks becomes even more crucial. A few months back, it was announced that Matco Tools would be joining David Powers Motorsports with a second Top Fuel dragster to be piloted by 20-time NHRA Funny Car winner Whit Bazemore. Having watched “Hot” Rod Fuller drive his Valvoline-backed rail to a fifth-place ranking in the Top Fuel division in 2006, Powers is even more energized about the ’07 season with his Lee Beard-led two-car effort.
“Things are finally coming into fruition,” Powers said. “Before that, it’s just a vision or a dream. Once things start arriving at the Indy shop, it becomes a reality. It’s like seeing your dreams come true.”
On Monday, November 27, the Powers camp will take delivery of three Brad Hadman chassis and one-piece carbon fiber Top Fuel dragster bodies. Two chassis will be for Bazemore’s Matco Tools team, while the third chassis will serve as a spare for the “Hot” Rod Fuller-driven dragster. Shortly thereafter, two bodies will be transported to Olson Paint & Body in Peru, Ind., to be painted by veteran race painter Brian Olson before receiving vinyl graphics from Indianapolis-based Freelance Lettering, Inc. to complete the look of the new Matco Tools Iron Eagle dragster.
“Right now, we’re full speed ahead getting everything prepared for next season,” Bazemore said. “It’s different starting a team from scratch as opposed to just rebuilding. We’ve hired some very talented people and all the parts are rolling in the door everyday. It’s an exciting time for the new Matco team. It’s like Christmas every day at the shop leading up to testing in January. I can’t wait!”
Last week, the team received a new 56-foot transporter from Henderson, Texas-based Competition Trailers that will house the Matco Tools Top Fuel team. The Matco Tools pit crew, which includes championship members from both Larry Dixon’s Miller Lite team and Gary Scelzi’s Oakley Funny Car crew, will begin at Powers’ Pittsboro, Ind. race shop on Nov. 27. The plan is for the Matco Tools Top Fuel team to debut at the fifth annual Nitro Blast Off, Jan. 19-21, 2007, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where Bazemore will see his first seat time in a Top Fuel car.
The DPM team also will add a tech trailer to its growing pit compound, along with a modern hospitality area that will serve up to 200 Matco Tools employees and guests. The hospitality setup will offer a unique outlook to its valued guests. With the two Top Fuel dragsters situated on each side, guests will have an unobstructed view of both race teams as the pit crew members work and prepare the 8,000 horsepower nitro-burning machines.
