Indianapolis Chevrolet Friday Notes

LOCAL NOTES:

Local Indianapolis resident Whit Bazemore, driver of the Team Winston Camaro Z28 Funny Car, and defending U.S. Nationals champion here, is not only a handsome, eligible bachelor he's a serious fitness enthusiast. He uses the local Monon Trail to pursue his fitness regimen, riding a mountain bike nearly every morning when he's home, for 10-15 miles on this old rail-line path.

"I ride through the neighborhood of Broad Ripple and I pedal as fast as I can (similar to the many pedaling jobs he's had to perform on the race track)," says the 35-year-old. "I go past the Blue Point Oyster Bar, and the Corner Wine Bar (no I do not stop to partake). It's a good workout. I either bike or run on the Monon Trail. Dave Karcanes, one of my team members, and I also mountain bike up on 96th St. by the White River, which is a big mountain biking place."

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT WHILE YOU'RE RIDING: "I'm usually thinking about John Force and Ron Capps and how I'm going to beat them."

"I do this mostly for fitness, it's a good way to start the day. I try to do it early, about 6:30 in the morning. It gives me time to think and relax and put things into perspective and work out at the same time."

NOT SO LOCAL NOTES:

TV VIEWERS GOT A SNEAK PEAK AT "TOOL TIME" VAN ON E.T. . . . Chevrolet has created a special "Tool Time" Chevy Express van that will be featured on an upcoming episode of ABC-TV's "Home Improvement" -- and "Entertainment Tonight" offered a "sneak peak" of the van this week. The full-size van, designed to meet star Tim Allen's exacting specifications, is in keeping with the character -- and the humor -- of the show. It boasts such features as a table saw also capable of slicing deli meats for a quick lunch on the job site; a drill press/milkshake and paint blender that can mix and match thousands of paint codes and colors -- plus 45 different milkshakes; roof mounted electronics that include loud speakers, exterior audio control center and satellite communications dish; red emergency 911 panic button with hands-free operation; an "extreme power button" on the dashboard that instantly opens the exhaust to fuel Tim's passion for more power; and much more. "The Tool Time van shows what a Chevy Express customer can do with a little help and imagination," said John Gaydash, Chevy Express brand manager. "We're happy to provide a product for any person who works with their hands -- or tries to, as Tim does." The episode featuring the "Tool Time" Chevy Express is scheduled to air Oct. 20.