Whit Bazemore making his first test laps in a Top
Fuel dragster following a decorated Funny Car career that included 20 wins and
29 poles was one of the hot stories entering the annual three-day preseason test
session at Firebird International Raceway. And while the fastest accelerating
vehicles in the world prepared for a 23-race NHRA battle that begins next week
at Pomona, Calif., a stir was created not on the quarter
mile, but rather in the David Powers Motorsports pit area.
The Matco Tools Iron Eagle Club, located between the
Powers-owned dragsters of Bazemore and Rod Fuller, sparked a buzz amongst
attendees from race fans to Matco Tools distributors and fellow NHRA
competitors. It is the largest portable hospitality area in NHRA drag racing,
and rivals the popular Nitro Mall in appearance.
“Our Matco Tools distributors will be treated to a new
and unmatched hospitality experience,” John Torok, Matco Tools Motorsports
Marketing Manager said. “This Powers hospitality area offers no segregation
between race teams. Our guests can see both race crews work on the dragsters
simultaneously. I really believe this will start a new wave of hospitality areas
in NHRA drag racing.”