BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM FALLS OUT EARLY IN TEXAS

ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 9) – Despite a strong qualifying effort, the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team was disappointed by a first round loss in eliminations.

Second generation driver Brandon Bernstein drove his father’s dragster to the No. 5 qualifying slot with a 4.494-second elapsed time at 328.62 mph.

“This was the second race in a row that we’ve qualified with a sub 4.50-second run,” said Bernstein. “That is a great tribute to this team.”

In the opening round of race day competition, Bernstein squared off against John Smith. Both drivers lost traction, but Smith was able to recover first, winning the match with a 5.512/236.55 to Bernstein’s 6.230/214.38.

“There just isn’t much to say that we haven’t already said,” confided Bernstein. “I just hope we get all the bad luck out of the way this year.

“Of course it really stings to lose so early in your hometown. It’s like this car goes through a mood swing between qualifying and race day.

“We’re looking forward to Las Vegas (Oct. 21-23) and the Budweiser Shootout. Perhaps Lady Luck will smile on us there.”

Bernstein is seventh in NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings.

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BRANDON BERNSTEIN WILL MISS FAMILY PATRIARCH BERT AT THIS YEAR’S DALLAS RACE

ENNIS, Texas – Second generation NHRA driver Brandon Bernstein will be returning to his Dallas hometown to compete in the O’Reilly Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex but there will be a big void in the pit area this time around.

“My mom and step-dad still live in Dallas,” said Bernstein, “and we still have lots of high school and college friends in the area. But on Aug. 23 my granddad, Bert Bernstein, who lived and owned an import business in the city, lost his battle with cancer.

“Granddad was more connected to my racing career than you might imagine. He was 100 percent business and at the age of 82 still went into his store as often as he was able. I think the hobby he enjoyed most was coming to the races to watch dad and me through the years. He very seldom missed a race in Dallas. There’s going to be a big hole in the pit area without him there, but I know his spirit will be riding in the cockpit with me.

“His last race with us was St. Louis at the end of June. Though he was struggling, he made it to the races and we were fortunate enough to win. It was so cool to be able to dedicate that victory to him. I will always remember his smiling face.”

Bernstein began a winning career in soccer as a high school student at Jesuit Prep in Dallas. During the four years Bernstein was on the team, they never lost a game and he ended his high school soccer career 70-0.

After graduation he attended Texas A & M and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology in 1996. With his diploma in hand, he was hired by his father, six-time champion Kenny, as a crew member on the well-known Budweiser King Racing team.

2005 marks Brandon’s second full season of driving after having spent the greater part of his 2003 rookie year recovering from a racing accident in Englishtown, N.J.

To date, Brandon has eight career Top Fuel victories. He set top speed at last year’s event at the Texas Motorplex with a 327.59 mph run.

“We’re looking forward to going some rounds in Dallas. If we’re lucky enough to win it, it’ll be for granddad.”

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