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Las Vegas II: Whit Bazemore final summary

Bazemore Loses Close First Round in Vegas LAS VEGAS (Oct. 31, 2004) - While diminutive ghouls and goblins were Trick or Treating through the pits during the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas, Whit Bazemore, in the Matco ...

Published: Nov 2, 2004, 9:10 PM

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Bazemore Loses Close First Round in Vegas

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 31, 2004) - While diminutive ghouls and goblins were Trick or Treating through the pits during the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas, Whit Bazemore, in the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus, was dealing with his own demons on the quarter-mile.

Following a stout qualifying effort of four consistently quick rounds topped off by a 4.772/326.95 which placed him fourth on the "grid" in the final qualifying session, Bazemore's first round contest against Cruz Pedregon produced another set of strong numbers: 4.820 seconds at 324.36 mph under sunny skies. Unfortunately, his opponent stole what should have been a win for Bazemore on a holeshot advantage, with a slower yet victorious 4.839/320.05.

It's Vegas, after all, and Pedregon took a gamble at the starting light by launching with a .039 reaction time to Bazemore's more than respectable .076.

"It doesn't matter what his reaction time was," said a disappointed Bazemore, who dropped to sixth in NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car points. "It's just really disappointing because my job is to leave before the other guy. It doesn't matter what he does.

"There are just not any excuses. It's hard for me because it's hard for the Matco Tools team. It's just a disappointment. It's how racing is sometimes. You give it 110 percent but you don't always come up with the right answer."

So far this season, Bazemore has been quicker than his opponent at the starting light 65 percent of the time. "Our lights (reaction times) are what they are. We're consistent," he said. "We're near the top in the average, but today that just wasn't good enough. I'm feeling worse for the team more than anything because they give 110 percent all the time."

-dsr-

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