Bazemore Out, Beckman In Matco Tools Funny Car
Written by David Lamm · September 12, 2006
Upon hearing the news that Matco Tools was moving their primary sponsorship away from Don Schumacher Racing and essentially leaving Whit Bazemore without a sponsor in 2007, I was quite surprised. To do it during the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals smacked of guerilla marketing and trying to steal the thunder of the primary race sponsor. To hear that Bazemore would possibly sit out the remainder of the 2006 season because of the news was even more shocking. But with the news of Jack Beckman being named the replacement driver for Bazemore’s ride brought it all together and now it all makes sense.
DragRaceCentral.com: Jack Beckman to Replace Whit Bazemore at Don Schumacher Racing
NHRA.com: Funny Car veteran Bazemore prepared to sit out the rest of the 2006 season
My gut reaction to the possibility of Bazemore sitting out the remainder of the 2006 season was, ‘Why are you giving them what they want?’. I am sure Matco Tools was not happy with the team’s lackluster results this season and that is why they decided to go in another direction. It is their money and their prerogative to spend it however they choose. I was just questioning the timing and also the fact that Bazemore loves racing. To just get out of a car he has been racing for years because the sponsor was leaving at the end of the year had me scratching my head. Whether Matco came out and said it directly or not, the underlying message here is ‘We don’t like Whit as a driver and that is why we are no longer sponsoring his car’. That may or may not be the case but that seemed to be the message. So with Whit ‘playing ball’ just seemed as if he was rolling over and calling no joy. As the events developed, it seems that Bazemore getting out of the seat might be the best decision for all involved.
The major factor here is timing and money. More importantly $100,000 offered by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, the sponsor of the Skoal Showdown. Drivers earn points based on their qualifying position for the 2007 Skoal Showdown two weeks ago in Indianapolis. Had Bazemore continued to drive for Don Schumacher Racing, he would have accumulated points for himself. In both the POWERade and Skoal Showdown points system, points stay with the driver no matter how many different teams they drive for. Had Jack Beckman taken over the driving duties of Bazemore’s Funny Car in Pomona, Calif. in 2007, he would have missed five races where other drivers were earning qualifying points. Robert Hight was able to make it into the Skoal Showdown in 2005 while a rookie and at a severe disadvantage of missing races in 2004. It can be done but it is a tough road. With Bazemore bowing out gracefully he can pursue other driving options this year and still earn points towards not only the POWERade top ten in points this year but for the 2007 Skoal Showdown as well.
With all that said, it seemed like everyone is happy. Don Schumacher has a driver to replace his departed driver and Whit is free to find another ride. Although they probably would never say it publicly, Matco is probably ecstatic that they have some new blood in their car for the final five races. Now if Beckman continues to struggle in the car, I guess it will confirm Matco made the right decision to go elsewhere. The best thing Don Schumacher and Beckman can do is blow away the competition and prove to Matco they should have stayed. That remains to be seen. Here’s hoping Bazemore finds a ride soon. Love him or love to hate him, Bazemore is a personality on the NHRA POWERade circuit that demands your attention. It wouldn’t be a Funny Car race if he were missing.
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4 Responses to “Bazemore Out, Beckman In Matco Tools Funny Car”
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Businesswise, this needed to happen. Whit couldn’t have stayed with all that has happened this year - and regardless of the fact Matco was leaving. Whit wasn’t playing nice with his fellow teammates and in racing chemistry is #1. Don probably should have made this move earlier but better late than never. Every sport needs black hats and I hope Whit finds another ride - on his bike up to the mountains where he can regain his Zen.
Anyone who follows NHRA can find this to be an easy situation to understand. Although the timing may be a bit odd the fact that Bazemore is the biggest distraction in racing is quite eveident. He cries when things don’t go his way and has a bad habit of pushing the blame off on everyone besides the person who sits his butt in the car. Add to this his “doesn’t play well with others” (consider his comments about his own team mate) and I can’t imagine tha DSR had many other options. The only negative this will bring to FC racing is knowing that we wont see Force beat him anymore.
I heard rumors that Bazemore will be driving Top Fuel with the same group as Rod Fuller. That’s the same group that Matco Tools just announced they will be sponsoring a top fuel car in 2007 with. If the Bazemore rumor is true, then apparently Matco Tools doesn’t have a problem with him.
I’M GLAD HES GONE!! BIGGEST BABY CRYER IN NHRA. IF I HAD THE FORTUNE TO DRIVE A FUNNY, I’ BE HAPPY JUST TO DRIVE THE CAR . INOR LOSE!!