"you get spoiled with a guy like Bazemore"

[Bobby]

interesting comment.

 

[Bullet]

That pricked my ears too.

 

[SheilaS]

Yeah, usually in an interview the tuner pumps for the current driver, not the one who left. Beckman's a pretty mellow guy, so if it meant anything in particular I'm sure it rolled right off of him.

 

[Slik]

Yeah, I too caught that during the broadcast.

Perhaps Okuhara has nothing against Fast Jack, but maybe those on the Matco team that weren't too happy about Baze being replaced mid-season are still smarting from it a little? Pure speculation on my part.

In any case, the whole team did a great job this weekend.

EDIT: Sorry Shiela, I wasn't paying attention to the fact that that was indeed your first post. As others have said, welcome!

 

[willy]

Yeah, usually in an interview the tuner pumps for the current driver, not the one who left. Beckman's a pretty mellow guy, so if it meant anything in particular I'm sure it rolled right off of him.

Welcome to the Mater Sheila!!!

Nice first post.

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

Yeah, usually in an interview the tuner pumps for the current driver, not the one who left. Beckman's a pretty mellow guy, so if it meant anything in particular I'm sure it rolled right off of him.

I'd have to agree, also.
I know Jack personally and he's not a me-me person. He's going to be a great ambassador for the sport for many years to come.
I also believe he'll remember the circumstances under which he was brought under the "Umbrella" when the next guy comes along with a bigger sponsor and Todd is making the same statement about Jack?

Welcome to the Mater Sheila!

 

[Bullet]

I met Jack in Dallas when hanging with Joe Sherwood, he was a real nice guy, one of the nicest I have met. I was REAL happy to see him win. Kurt Johnson was also one of the friendlier drivers too.

I don't think that Todd was taking a shot at Jack by any stretch, I think he was just responding to the quest/statement made to him by the ESPN mic about Jack being a good driver/quick learner.

Todd responded by saying something along the lines of it is hard to make a comparisons as tuners get spoiled with (take for granted?) drivers like Whit.

 

[Toejam]

I first met Jack in Pomona in '94 for the Winter's, he was sitting next to us during a Pro session. He sure can be a comedian if you get him going! That weekend he pulled out the Motor out of his Street El Camino so he could compete in Super Comp. Still ran a 8.97!

 

[SheilaS]

Hi, everyone, thanks for the welcome. One of these days I'll get to a meet-up and see people in person (my husband and I are plotting to go to Vegas together for next year's race!)

 

[Jenn]

Jack and Jenna are great people. I wish them the best.

I kind of wonder if Todd wasn't commenting on the fact that Blaze has been doing this so long that he can provide lots of feedback for the tuner to make a decision. I would imagine that the seat time that some of those drivers has makes them able to analyze every bump in the lane and pull on the clutch lock up.

 

[MM]

the long in the short of it is that Bazemore is a veteran and one of the more proven and skilled drivers around, and Beckman is going into his 5th race. At this point Bazemore is probably a better funny car driver, which is not to say the Beckman is not capable (obviously he is, he just won a race). I think all the Todd meant was that they lost one of the best drivers around and he was replaced by a rookie.....nothin more nothin less than that

my $.02

 

[Too many to list here]

"At this point Bazemore is probably a better funny car driver"...

NO SH!T??

 

[Billy]

the long in the short of it is that Bazemore is a veteran and one of the more proven and skilled drivers around, and Beckman is going into his 5th race. At this point Bazemore is probably a better funny car driver, which is not to say the Beckman is not capable (obviously he is, he just won a race). I think all the Todd meant was that they lost one of the best drivers around and he was replaced by a rookie.....nothin more nothin less than that

my $.02

I completely agree. I don't think it was a jab at anyone at all. Just a statement that they had a first-class Funny Car driver before and now someone who is, as exepected, having a learning curve. Nothing is so shocking in that statement.

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

Maybe Todd just had a brain fart amid all the excitement and said the wrong driver since he doesn't get a lot of Mic-Time?

 

[Rajunz]

No I think Mike Minnick hit the nail on the head, it was not a jab at Jack, it was a matter of fact. With a driver like Whit, he could completely take the driver out of the equation. That has got to be a treat for a crew chief to have one less variable in the already complex puzzle. As good as a griver as Jack may be, he still is somewhat of an unknown to the tune up at this point, his comment was completely valid.

 

[Buzzz Miller]

I just took it as a great tip of the hat to his old driver. Kind-of a parting statement when he finally found his way onto some air time. Maybe a little of emotion for the way that Baze left the deal.
But I did not see it as a slap to Jack. Not at all.

 

[Rollout96]

I just took it as a great tip of the hat to his old driver. Kind-of a parting statement when he finally found his way onto some air time. Maybe a little of emotion for the way that Baze left the deal.
But I did not see it as a slap to Jack. Not at all.

I agree Buzzz. Hell, his new driver just won a race so I am sure he doesn't think bad about his driving ability. Whit is a great, proven driver and he was making that known.