| 2005 NEWS ARCHIVES | Back | |
JOLIET, Ill. (Oct. 2) – Brandon Bernstein fought his way to the semifinals of the NHRA Ameriquest Mortgage Nationals at Route 66 Raceway with a strong performance including best elapsed time in Top Fuel quarterfinals competition. The second generation driver qualified the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster in the No. 5 slot with a 4.492/332.65. “That was a really stout run,” said Bernstein. “It was awesome for our team to get in the 4.40s! We’re ecstatic about that.” In the opening round of race day competition, Jack Beckman and Bernstein squared off for their first ever match. The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team won the round with a 4.540/328.22 vs. Beckman's 4.658/315.27. In the quarterfinals match against David Grubnic, Bernstein led wire to wire, crossing the finish stripe with low elapsed time of the round, 4.507seconds (325.22 mph), to win lane choice against semifinals competitor Tony Schumacher. Bernstein had a slight edge out of the gate, but by the 330-mark, a wicked rash of tire smoke attacked the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster causing it to lose traction. With that bobble, Bernstein could only watch Schumacher speed by for the round win. “This race car continues to keep us humble,” said Bernstein. “Once again, we have low elapsed time in one round and then with a puff of smoke, the day is over in the next round. It’s very disappointing, but we’re going to keep digging.” Bernstein maintains sixth place in NHRA POWERade point standings, only 10 points out of fifth. # # # |
JOLIET, Ill – Brandon Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster, is looking to finish the season with a flourish, and wants to include the Ameriquest Mortgage Company Nationals Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in those plans. “In the first two years of my career, we’ve come out with guns blazing, scoring victories at the top of the season,” said second generation driver Bernstein. “We had a mid-season rally and won in St. Louis and Seattle, and then the rollercoaster started downhill again. We want to end the season with guns blazing. “We have struggled more this year than we should have. We’ve run good numbers, we were right there with the top runners, and then something unexpected will happen early in eliminations and we’re packing the trailer. “It’s frustrating, but the second wind will come to us, and we’ll get back in the groove. I’m certain of that. This team is tenacious and they never quit digging and giving their all.” Six-time champion Kenny Bernstein and his son Brandon have had performance highs at Route 66 Raceway. They shared a double victory in 2001 when Brandon was driving the A Fuel dragster. Brandon set a world mile per hour record here in the spring of 2004 en route to a runner-up finish. Kenny has six career final round finishes at the facility with four victories. Kenny also set the world record elapsed time of 4.477 in 2001 at Route 66, which was the quickest run in history at that time. “Certainly our team has had a lot of success here,” said Brandon. “Tim (Richards, crew chief) has made a lot of great tuning calls in Chicago. Our team is totally capable of a victory here.” Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. with a second session at 7 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds scheduled Saturday at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Final eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m. AMERIQUEST MORTGAGE COMPANY NATIONALS Qualifying Eliminations # # #
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