Motorsports

Bazemore celebrates twice

By SUSAN WADE
Published March 21, 2005

GAINESVILLE - Whit Bazemore put his first NHRA Funny Car victory in nearly a year in perspective.

"This is greatest week of my life," the Indianapolis resident said Sunday after winning the Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. His son, Dashiell Aidan , was born March12 and shares that birthday with his drag-racing father. "If we had not qualified (Saturday), it still would have been the greatest week of my life."

The Dodge Stratus driver, who last won May 31 in Topeka, Kan., said his view of parenthood has changed.

"You hear all the time how great it is," Bazemore, 42, said. "I always kind of said, "Aw, yeah, I'm sure it is. Where's my race car?' But when it happened, it was the biggest, most joyous moment I think you can experience. It far exceeds anything else that you can do. He's the coolest little kid."

NEW LEADER: Despite losing the final to Jason Line , Dave Connolly powered his Chevy Cavalier to the top of the Pro Stock standings. He leads Warren Johnson by 20 points. Bazemore, who said he and his team "are expected to win - a lot," became the new points leader in Funny Car. Tony Schumacher retained his Top Fuel edge, despite losing to runnerup Larry Dixon in the second round. He's eight points ahead of Morgan Lucas .

HELPING HANDS: Bob Gilbertson reached the Funny Car final with a truly hot rod. As he beat John Force , his Chevy Monte Carlo crossed the finish line on fire. Gilbertson escaped unhurt.

Rival Ron Capps , Bazemore's teammate at Don Schumacher Racing, and ESPN reporter Dave Reiff packed the parachutes. Crew members from at least eight other Funny Car and Top Fuel teams helped repair the car for his first final appearance since October 2001.

"That's cool," Bazemore said upon learning his teammate helped his opponent. "It's big business on one hand, but it's not so big a business that it's totally cut-throat. It's still drag racing, after all. As much as they want it to be NASCAR, it isn't. There's an element of sportsmanship. I'm glad we were helping him. Personally, I was hoping they weren't going to make it, just because I wanted the trophy."

OUCH: The leading six Top Fuel drivers were eliminated by the second round. Funny Car points leader Phil Burkart failed to qualify, and six of the class' other top 10 dropped out by Round 2. Allen Johnson , who entered as Pro Stock leader, also lost in the opening round.

But perhaps nobody felt the sting of defeat more than Scott Kalitta , who lost in Top Fuel to Clay Millican on a first-round holeshot. Kalitta's 12-year-old son, Corey, told grandfather Connie Kalitta (the team owner and crew chief), "Don't worry, Granddad. I can take over for my lame old man in only four more years."

After looking around his family's pit, Corey Kalitta added, "I've never seen so many grown men pouting."

DENIED: When Doug Kalitta defeated Dixon in the Top Fuel final, he kept Dixon's boss, Don "The Snake" Prudhomme from winning the 100th NHRA crown of his combined driving and team-owner career.

[Last modified March 21, 2005, 01:50:19]