Whit Bazemore:
“We like pressure. We all have to perform. I’m looking forward to going to Brainerd. It was nice to have a small break in the action to get recharged and get reacquainted with the family. I’ve lost about 12 pounds since April and it’s kind of remarkable in the middle of a six-race swing. It’s from doing some good, long rides here in Oregon. There’s a lot of climbing and it basically melts fat off. We’ll go to Brainerd and our backs are against the wall and we need to have a perfect weekend and a perfect weekend at Reading (Pa. ) the following week to ensure a place in a the Countdown. ”
Two weeks ago in Sonoma, Calif., Bazemore qualified fifth with a run of 4.582 seconds. It was the 11th time in 15 races that he has qualified in the top half of the order this season.
With two races before the Countdown to the Championship fields are set, Bazemore ranks seventh in the POWERade Top Fuel standings. He is 72 points ahead of ninth-place racer Melanie Troxel.
Last August, Bazemore missed the cut at B. I.R. on speed. He and No. 16 qualifier Phil Burkart, Jr., clocked runs of 4.924 seconds, but Burkart got the nod as a result of having a faster speed. It was his only DNQ of the year.
Bazemore has an average starting spot of 7.12 at B. I.R. in 17 career starts at the Minnesota track. His average starting position this season is 6.86.
Bazemore has two poles at B. I.R. (1997 and 2001). He has 30 career poles. In March, he became the 15th driver in NHRA history to earn poles in both Top Fuel and Funny Car.
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