Love him or hate him, you know one thing about Whit Bazemore – he’s going to tell you the truth as he sees it. He won’t hold back. He’ll be controversial. But, you can count on one thing, whatever crusade the former photojournalist is pushing, he believes in his crusade in a relentless manner.

That has labeled him in some circles as a “whiner” and with the NHRA in particular, it has made him a perceived “marked man.” Bazemore feels he’s just misunderstood and those who know him agree.

Following a disheartening loss in the first round at Pomona, Bazemore took NHRA starter Rick Stewart to task over a racing surface that appeared marginal to many. Video from the event showed that Bazemore had a legitimate gripe.

Bazemore was later cited for the confrontation as well as for another incident, which suggested that he had disregarded the safety of others at the track. Bazemore was fined a substantial amount of money and placed on two years probation.

The fine caps a frustrating season for Bazemore. It is one he’s ready to put behind him. Bazemore knows the cameras are on him, but that will not stop him of being the person he is. We caught up with Bazemore recently and inquired about his mindset after the Pomona incidents.

CP – It has to seem like you have a big bullseye painted on you these days with everybody gunning for you. It especially has to seem that way after the latest fine and reprimand.

WB – It depends on who you classify as “everybody.” The fans on the message boards have been sympathetic and some of their responses have been pretty intelligent. When you are in the position that I am, you have to be prepared for the criticism it can create. This is a free country and people are free to judge you however they want to. They can base that on what they read or what they hear. That’s how the world is.

You can’t worry about that.

The drag racing fans are great and my fans, the true ones, makes it real gratifying because they have a lot of respect. They look up to you for your accomplishments. That’s the real benefit to this job. When I started this job, I never knew that existed.

CP – Have you been given a gag order on speaking your mind?

WB – There are times when I feel compelled to address certain issues that affect our sport and therefore our business. It comes from the heart and it is who I am. But, obviously the people at the NHRA are not really open to criticism. That’s how it appears to me. For me to continue in this sport, it’s been made clear to me through their actions what they want. They certainly don’t want any constructive criticism coming from me. Case in point, in Seattle, when I spoke out about the racing surface when we won in 1997…it was six years later that they fixed it. When we make those suggestions in private, sometimes it takes even longer.

CP – What’s your side of what happened that got you in so much trouble?

WB – The only thing I’m prepared to say about the situation is that when I drive that race car, I’m responsible for the way it gets driven and no one else. I turn off the track at a pace that I’m comfortable with. I would never, ever endanger anybody in that racecar. I never have and I never will. Whether it is a fellow competitor or any one else out there. I think my driving record speaks for itself. I think all of my competitors would all agree with that. I think they would all agree that my stand on safety issues in the sport, no matter what it is, has been pretty strong over the years.

Whether that’s a coincidence when they are accusing me of being unsafe, I don’t know. I would never do anything to hurt anyone.

CP – You’re a person that people either love or hate. Do you think that you’re a person that’s just misunderstood?

WB –I am intense at the race track, and what you see is what you get.  And If you give your opinion it is always easy for people to disagree with you. That’s the way the world is. And the media likes to have a “bad guy.” They need it to create interest in the sport and it gives them more to write about. But from now on, I will not  give them the opportunity to use me like that.  

Let’s say Larry Dixon for example. He’s a guy that I have a lot of respect for over the years because he works behind the scenes on a lot of things. He’s a lot more outspoken than you would think. I respect that. There aren’t that many people willing to step up and put it on the line. There are a lot more racers that play the game politically and seem content with the status quo than racers that do something to make change.

My teammate Gary Scelzi can be aggressive at times. On a whole, I think most of the racers are mindful of being politically correct. That’s what the NHRA wants, obviously. That’s what they are going to get.

CP – You’re going to be a Dad soon. Are you planning to tone down any your approach to things? I mean, how do you give the example of respecting authority when playing sports when you walk up to Rick Stewart in the manner you did? 

WB – Let’s set the record straight on what happened with Rick and me. I went up there to ask him a question about the bald spots on the track. That was nothing more than a conversation. The right lane had developed really bad bald spots. We were the next to last pair and there was no place to put the race car. It changes throughout the day. I went to look and it was significantly worse in the right lane compared to the left. I asked him what he was going to do to fix it. He gave me his answer. I told him that it needed to be fixed because not one Funny Car went down that lane. That was all that was said. It wasn’t what some people have made it out to be. It was a question and it was directed to him because he’s one the one in charge of the starting line. Someone has to be in charge. If it’s not Rick Stewart, I don’t know who it would be.

As far as being a parent, I am not sure how I will change. It probably won’t affect how I approach my job, but it might make all the travel less enjoyable; you know, I’ll want to be with my family as much as possible.

CP – It seems like every year that your job seems to be in question at Team Schumacher when in reality, it never is.

WB – That’s always a hot rumor. I don’t know why. This is my fourth year with this team and Matco Tools. It’s a great team. Why and where these rumors come from, I’m not sure. I don’t worry about it at all.

CP – What has been Don Schumacher’s comment about what has gone on in the last few weeks? Has he asked you to tone down your act?

WB – No, he hasn’t said that. Obviously, both he and I are concerned with the probation. He’s led me to believe that I didn’t do that much wrong in Pomona. He’s also aware, as I am, and the other racers should know, these things are purely subjective. These penalties and fines are totally arbitrational. I think the racing committee as a whole should be concerned with that and how the system works.

I’m fine with the probation. It’s easy for me to put all of that stuff out of my mind and focus on what I need to do. I can be a very boring race car driver and that’s what I’m going to do. No more Whit Bazemore opinions.

CP – I know I didn’t hear what I just heard. You’re going to lock the jaw and throw away the key?

WB – There is a misconception. I’ve never instigated an altercation during my career. Not one time. I’ve had someone from another team swing a body pole at me. I’ve had someone from another team get physical. I think that’s a pretty good record after doing this for 17 years. I think there are other guys out there that are more likely to fly off of the handle. I’ve never flown off the handle in that manner. The angriest I get is when I get buzzed by a car when I’m on a training ride on my bike. That’s the one thing that makes me angry.

CP – You take away the safety and fair play and we don’t ever hear from Whit Bazemore?

WB – Probably not. <laughs> It’s a tough job. You have to give it 110% and you have to live it. Sometimes I think all of the racers deserve more respect. After all, they are the ones who make the sport. The fans make the sport too. The people make the sport and it’s not the ones who make the rules. I think that gets lost sometimes. I think if that was recognized, more things would change for the better in this sport.

I think it makes me angrier to have to say something than just saying it. You find out from other racers all the issues they’ve had and then all of a sudden you find out that you’re not the only one. I’m not the only one who has a wife that gets mistreated by security people. I’m not the only one that believes a certain way. However, I am the one getting fined for it. That’s just the way it goes.

CP – Does 2005 include a World Championship and a new public relations image?

WB – Who knows? Drag racing is full of peaks and valleys and you have good years and bad ones. This past year didn’t go our way. We do have a very strong foundation with our team. We are working very hard. We are optimistic for next year and that motivates me more than you will know. Things are going on with our team that has me optimistic. I’m really looking forward to testing.