Baze is back
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 88
From: State of Confusion
Baze is back
http://www.nhra.com/content/news.asp?articleid=16196
Matco Tools, which boasts 1,600 franchise truck owners across North America, has backed Bazemore since 2000, when it was an associate sponsor on the Chuck Etchells-owned Kendall Camaro Funny Car.
The company convinced Powers to keep its man in Matco colors to capitalize on the equity it has built with Bazemore.
"I'm very grateful to the Matco Tools family of distributors for having the faith in me to continue to lead their racing efforts in the sport of drag racing," the 43-year-old Bazemore said from Las Vegas. "David's commitment to success will ensure outstanding results for all aspects of the race team.
"Racing a Top Fuel dragster will be a new challenge, but it's one I'm looking forward to a great deal. David, Lee Beard, and Rob Flynn are in the process of assembling a first-class team that I know will make the Matco Tools Iron Eagle dragster a contender right away. I fully expect us to contend for the POWERade title in 2007 and beyond."
Love-him or hate-him, Bazemore is one of the few racers who will actually speak his mind, and can conduct an interview without 'LOOKING' at his car to recite the sponsor's names:
it's good to see him, and Matco, get-out from under the circus-tent that has become of DSR.
Matco Tools, which boasts 1,600 franchise truck owners across North America, has backed Bazemore since 2000, when it was an associate sponsor on the Chuck Etchells-owned Kendall Camaro Funny Car.
The company convinced Powers to keep its man in Matco colors to capitalize on the equity it has built with Bazemore.
"I'm very grateful to the Matco Tools family of distributors for having the faith in me to continue to lead their racing efforts in the sport of drag racing," the 43-year-old Bazemore said from Las Vegas. "David's commitment to success will ensure outstanding results for all aspects of the race team.
"Racing a Top Fuel dragster will be a new challenge, but it's one I'm looking forward to a great deal. David, Lee Beard, and Rob Flynn are in the process of assembling a first-class team that I know will make the Matco Tools Iron Eagle dragster a contender right away. I fully expect us to contend for the POWERade title in 2007 and beyond."
it's good to see him, and Matco, get-out from under the circus-tent that has become of DSR.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,653
Likes: 428
From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
I have no feeelings one way or the other about him as a driver..I am very glad he will be back soon since, for entertainment value, he is the worst loser on the broadcast...his tantrums make for great TV...lol
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
From: Boyce Va
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
He's my least favorite too......he and Warren Johnson were the only two drivers that refused to sign something for my son when he was about 10. Neither one were going anywhere, there was no one else around to start a big signing frenzy, and they weren't in deep conversation with anyone......some lasting impression, huh. The only good thing I can say is that he'll make for interesting coverage.........
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
Originally Posted by Pete K
Since Al Hofmann has left the sport, Baze seems to be the guy to hate. I could take him or leave him, but I do enjoy the drama.
Actually, away from NHRA competition Hofmann wasn't a bad guy..he's quite the "car guy", and you'll see him pop up from time to time at smaller events, just checking out things.
You want to see some drama, look at some of the old races when Connie Kalitta was still a driver! Even as recently as last week, Connie still showed his temper (legendary), giving his competitors crewchief an earful at the starting line..
WJ was/is just one of those guys who is a driven competitor, a quiet private kind of individual and sometimes isn't approachable by fans. One of my favorite encounters with him was at the '97 Winston Invitational. They called both Super Street and Pro Stock to the lanes at the same time, and we wound up next to each other in the lanes. We had quite the conversation while we waited for the "dog and pony show" that was the Nitro classes making their qualifying runs. As a matter of fact, he helped me push my car in the lanes, seeing as my helpers weren't in the lanes yet.
My respect for him went up quite a lot then, as S/ST and Pro Stock are at opposite ends of the scale, respect wise (according to NHRA, anyway), and for a Professional guy to help a "little guy" was a class move, IMO.I've met quite a few of the "name" drivers, both as a racer, and a spectator, and understand the pressure they're under, so I give them a break if they're not approachable on any given day.
Bazemore... he's self made (starting out as a photographer), but he still hasn't mastered some aspects of the game that is drag racing.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Originally Posted by Pete K
Since Al Hofmann has left the sport, Baze seems to be the guy to hate. I could take him or leave him, but I do enjoy the drama.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Originally Posted by Red96Coupe
I gotta disagree with you here.. I've met Al and been with him on many occasions.. & when he's not under pressure he is a helluva nice guy... to me anyway..
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: TEXAS
Dsr
DSR reminds me of a Carnival. There's that biker chick with the ..personal issues..the other biker....people always coming & going. I like Bazemore. Remember when he was called BLAZEMORE from all the fires? Lot of guts anyway.