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LUCAS OIL AND KENNY BERNSTEIN TO EXPAND RELATIONSHIP
TO INCLUDE MONSTER ENERGY FUNNY CAR
LAKE FOREST, Calif. (Oct. ) – Six-time
NHRA World champion Kenny Bernstein is proud to announce that
Lucas Oil will expand its involvement with Kenny Bernstein Racing
and has been named a major associate sponsor on Bernstein’s
Monster Energy Funny Car which will debut in 2007. Lucas Oil
has been a major associate on Bernstein’s Budweiser Top
Fuel dragster since 2002.
Bernstein retired at the end of 2002, and turned driving responsibilities
of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster over to his son Brandon.
Kenny returned to the cockpit of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster
to finish the 2003 season when Brandon suffered season-ending
back injuries in a racing accident in Englishtown, N.J.
Kenny, who is more comfortable in the cockpit than on the
sidelines, will drive a Dodge Charger body by Mopar, while Brandon
continues his championship assault in the Top Fuel category.
“We have great respect for the business that Forrest
and Charlotte Lucas have built,” said Bernstein. “Our
philosophies in marketing and sales just clicked when we first
met. Our relationship with the Lucases and Bob Patison has grown
through the years. We think of them as part of our family.”
“We at Lucas Oil are delighted that Kenny is returning
to competition as a driver,” said Bob Patison, Lucas Oil
executive vice president and general counsel. “He is a
legend in the motor sports industry and we are very proud of
our affiliation with the entire Bernstein organization. The
relationship between Lucas Oil, Monster Energy and Kenny has
great potential.”
“Lucas Oil gives our potent 7000-horsepower nitromethane
burning engines more resistance to high pressure breakdown than
any other product we have ever tried,” said Bernstein.
“We’re sold on Lucas Oil products for our personal
cars and race team support vehicles as well. Lucas Oil products
help improve fuel efficiency which is so important these days
especially considering all the miles the race team puts on their
vehicles.
“We look forward to our continuing relationship with
Lucas Oil.”
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THOUGH TOP FUEL CHAMPIONSHIP HOPES HAVE DIMMED, BERNSTEIN
STILL HAS FIGHT ON HIS HANDS
POMONA, Calif. – Though Brandon Bernstein
concedes that his dreams of obtaining his first NHRA POWERade
championship are very remote, he and his Budweiser/Lucas Oil
team will still be battling for second place in point standings
at the Automobile Club of Southern California Finals Nov. 9-12.
Bernstein comes into the final race of the season 100 points
behind the Top Fuel leader, and 55 points out of second place.
“It would appear that barring something really strange
happening, we will finish in the top three,” reflected
Bernstein. “We’ve won four events and finished runner-up
three times so we definitely celebrated success this season.
What hurt us were the first three races of the season when we
suffered very weird mechanical problems and the West Coast Swing
where despite strong performance in qualifying, we didn’t
do well on race day. But then we won Brainerd, Minn., we were
runner-up in Indy, and by the time we won in Dallas we had emerged
as a player. That was really exciting! I wish we had been able
to gain a few more points after Dallas to stay in the bunkers
for the championship battle, but we can still fight for second.
“We had our opportunities,” said Bernstein. “We
capitalized on some of them. One thing I know for sure is that
the fans got to see some great racing this season.
“And I want to thank Tim (Richards, crew chief), Kim
(Richards) and the team for all their hard work this year. It’s
hard to complain about a top three finish, four wins and three
runner-ups. But Tim will be working through the winter to find
a way to gain more ground for next season.”
The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team captured victories in Houston,
Columbus, Ohio, Brainerd and Dallas. They were runner-up at
Topeka, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.
After the Dallas victory, the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team had
reeled in the leader and only a 40-point spread (two rounds)
separated them.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Thursday,
Nov. 9 at 2:30 p.m., followed by a second session Friday at
2:30 p.m. There are two qualifying sessions Saturday, noon and
3:30 p.m., with final eliminations scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday.
Automobile Club of Southern California Finals Television
Advisory
Qualifying – Nov. 11 – ESPN2
10 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
Eliminations – Nov. 12 – ESPN2
7 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET
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BERNSTEIN HOPES TO DOUBLE DOWN IN LAS VEGAS DOUBLE
HEADER
LAS VEGAS – As the POWERade championship
races head down the homestretch, they will certainly go down
in history as some of the most stirring battles NHRA has ever
known.
With two grueling national events left before the champions
are crowned, Brandon Bernstein and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team
are heading into the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals in second place
in the Top Fuel category, 83 points out of the lead, with the
third place team less than a round (6 points) behind.
“Bob Frey (NHRA announcer) always says you have to bring
your ‘A game’, and he’s right on,” said
Bernstein. “We’ve got a shot at the championship,
and we have a tenacious team. We’re going to try to grab
hold and make that big leap. But while we’re looking ahead
of us, we need to be watching behind us, because third place
is breathing up our exhaust.
“We have to go rounds in Las Vegas and we have to go
more rounds than the leader and the third place contender. That’s
a tall order and a lot of pressure for me and for the team.
Tim (Richards, crew chief) and Kim (Richards) have weathered
this kind of pressure before. This is a new challenge for me.
Dad is trying to help me adjust my mindset by approaching each
round individually. No big championship picture. Just micro
thoughts round to round.
“In addition to the national event in Vegas, we have
the Budweiser Shootout on Saturday. We’d sure love to
double down in Vegas – win the Shootout and the race.
Budweiser’s celebrating their 25th anniversary of the
Shootout specialty races they’ve sponsored through the
years.”
Bernstein’s best Budweiser Shootout finish was his first
when he finished runner-up. It was the 2002 Budweiser Shootout
in Pomona, Calif., which was rained out and postponed to February
2003.
Because his father retired in 2002, Brandon took his father’s
spot in the rescheduled event which was run in conjunction with
the 2003 season-opener in Pomona.
“In addition to running two big events in Vegas, we’ve
also named New York-New York Hotel & Casino as our team’s
official Las Vegas hotel,” said Bernstein. “We’re
excited to have them onboard. As a part of that agreement, we
will be signing autographs at ESPN Zone inside New York-New
York Friday evening, Oct. 27, from 9:30 – 10:30 p.m. We’ll
be running the New York-New York logo on our Budweiser/Lucas
Oil dragster as well. There will be an enter to win contest
at the autograph signing where two tickets will be awarded to
the Budweiser/Lucas Oil pitside hospitality area. That’s
a very special opportunity for someone to win.
“On Wed., Oct. 25, we’ll be playing in a charity
poker tournament at the Cannery. There will be a lot going on
in Las Vegas. We are excited to get started.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Oct.
27 at 3:30 p.m. with a second session at 6 p.m. Budweiser Top
Fuel Shootout introductions begin at noon, with the first round
of the specialty event kicking off at 12:30 p.m. The second
round of the Bud Shootout is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. with the
finals at 5 p.m. ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals eliminations begin
Sunday at 11 a.m.
ACDELCO LAS VEGAS NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Budweiser Shootout – Oct. 28 –
ESPN2
10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. ET
Qualifying – Oct. 28 – ESPN2
10:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
Eliminations – Oct. 29 – ESPN2
8 – 11 p.m. ET
Kenny and Brandon Bernstein to sign autographs at ESPN
Zone in Las Vegas. Bernstein Team names New York-New York as
their official hotel. Race fans will have an opportunity
to meet six-time National Hot Rod Association champion Kenny
Bernstein and his son Brandon, Friday, Oct. 27 from 9:30 –
10:30 p.m. at the ESPN Zone located on the Las Vegas Strip inside
New York-New York Hotel & Casino. Fans that stop
by for an autograph will have a chance to enter to win two VIP
tickets to Sunday’s (Oct. 29) Budweiser pitside hospitality
area for the ACDelco Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor
Speedway.
Kenny Bernstein, who retired at the end of the 2002 season,
but drove the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster for a portion
of 2003 while his son Brandon was recovering from racing injuries,
has announced his comeback in 2007. Bernstein will return to
full-time competition as pilot of the Monster Energy Funny Car.
He will campaign a Dodge Charger by Mopar.
Brandon, who is battling for the Top Fuel championship this
season, earned NHRA Rookie of the Year honors in 2003, and has
had the most successful career launch of any other Top Fuel
or Funny Car driver in NHRA history.
“We are happy to announce New York-New York as our official
Las Vegas hotel,” said Kenny.
“We invite fans who may be planning to attend the ACDelco
Nationals and the Budweiser Shootout to book their rooms at
New York-New York and join us at ESPN Zone Friday night. Someone
will win the opportunity to hang with our team on Sunday at
the track.
“Our team enjoys the restaurants, the shows, and of
course ‘The Roller Coaster’ in the Big Apple of
Las Vegas.
“Look for the New York-New York logo on our Budweiser/Lucas
Oil dragster over the weekend.”
Inspired by the famous energy and landmarks of New York City,
New York-New York Hotel & Casino features 12 New York-style
skyscrapers showcasing 2,023 guest rooms and suites. Other featured
Big Apple icons include an 84,000-square-foot, Central Park-themed
casino; a 150-foot-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty; and
a 300-foot-long replica of the Brooklyn Bridge. Within the resort
are award-winning restaurants including Gallagher's Steakhouse,
Il Fornaio and Nine Fine Irishmen, an authentic pub offering
the best of Irish drink, food and music. New York-New York offers
extraordinary entertainment including the provocative and sensuous
Cirque du Soleil production, Zumanity, a thrilling roller coaster
and ESPN Zone, a sports-themed dining and entertainment complex.
New York-New York is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM MIRAGE™.
For more information and reservations, visit the web site at
www.nynyhotelcasino.com,
or call toll free at (800) 693-6763.
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BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM MOVES TO SECOND IN NHRA
TOP FUEL POINTS;
DRIVER BERNSTEIN EXPECTS EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER RIDE TO THE
FINISH
DINWIDDIE, Va. (Oct. 15) -- Kenny Bernstein’s
Budweiser/Lucas Oil team has proven itself to be a formidable
challenger for the 2006 POWERade Top Fuel championship. At the
rescheduled Torco Racing Fuels Nationals at Virginia Motorsports
Park, the team took one step forward and one step back.
Second generation driver Brandon Bernstein moved to second
place in point standings, his highest ranking of the season,
yet the point leader gained one more round, or 20 points, as
the season winds down with two races remaining.
The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team qualified fifth with a 4.552-second
elapsed time at 319.75 miles per hour.
In the opening round of eliminations, Bernstein squared off
against Morgan Lucas. The fans were treated to a great battle
between the two friends who were glued together to about half
track. Though Bernstein started skating around down track, he
remained hooked up while Lucas lost traction near the finish
line. Bernstein scored the win, 4.562/315.05, to Lucas’
4.632/284.15.
The quarterfinals against point leader Doug Kalitta were critical.
Bernstein was only able to challenge to about the 300-foot mark
before losing traction. Kalitta took the win 4.601/308.85 to
Bernstein’s 6.553/122.09.
“First of all we weren’t expecting to smoke the
tires,” said Bernstein. “That caught us by surprise.
Though Doug was able to gain another round on us, we certainly
aren’t going to throw the towel in by any means. This
team will hang tough and dig as deep as we possibly can.
“We were able to nudge into second place today, but we
still have a real dogfight between second and third place, not
even counting the championship. Pass the Tums. It’s going
to be a barn burner to the end. But I’d rather be in the
fight than on the outside looking in, so I’ll take the
stress.
“Some days you feel like a yo-yo. Today was one of those
days. You ride the high of climbing to second place, then you
lose a bit of a foot hold and you’re hanging on the edge
of the cliff.
“To add more excitement and drama, our next race is Las
Vegas (Oct. 27-290 and that weekend includes the Budweiser Shootout.
It’s a double header weekend. It would be great to double
down.”
Bernstein is 83 points out of the POWERade Top Fuel championship
lead and is six points ahead of third place.
# # #
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KENNY AND BRANDON BERNSTEIN TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS
AT ESPN ZONE IN LAS VEGAS;
NAME NEW YORK-NEW YORK AS THE TEAM'S OFFICIAL HOTEL
LAKE FOREST, Calif. (Sept. 30) - Race fans
will have an opportunity to meet six-time National Hot Rod Association
champion Kenny Bernstein and his son Brandon, Friday, Oct. 27
from 9:30 - 10:30 p.m. at the ESPN Zone located on the Las Vegas
Strip inside New York-New York Hotel & Casino. Fans that
stop by for an autograph will have a chance to enter to win
two VIP tickets to Sunday's (Oct. 29) Budweiser pitside hospitality
area for the ACDelco Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor
Speedway.
Kenny Bernstein, who retired at the end of the 2002 season,
but drove the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster for a portion
of 2003 while his son Brandon was recovering from racing injuries,
has announced his comeback in 2007. Bernstein will return to
full-time competition as pilot of the Monster Energy Funny Car.
He will campaign a Dodge Charger by Mopar.
Brandon, who is battling for the Top Fuel championship this
season, earned NHRA Rookie of the Year honors in 2003, and has
had the most successful career launch of any other Top Fuel
or Funny Car driver in NHRA history.
"We are happy to announce New York-New York as our official
Las Vegas hotel," said Kenny.
"We invite fans who may be planning to attend the ACDelco
Nationals and the Budweiser Shootout to book their rooms at
New York-New York and join us at ESPN Zone Friday night. Someone
will win the opportunity to hang with our team on Sunday at
the track.
"Our team enjoys the restaurants, the shows, and of course
'The Roller Coaster' in the Big Apple of Las Vegas.
"Look for the New York-New York logo on our Budweiser/Lucas
Oil dragster over the weekend."
Inspired by the famous energy and landmarks of New York City,
New York-New York Hotel & Casino features 12 New York-style
skyscrapers showcasing 2,023 guest rooms and suites. Other featured
Big Apple icons include an 84,000-square-foot, Central Park-themed
casino; a 150-foot-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty; and
a 300-foot-long replica of the Brooklyn Bridge. Within the resort
are award-winning restaurants including Gallagher's Steakhouse,
Il Fornaio and Nine Fine Irishmen, an authentic pub offering
the best of Irish drink, food and music. New York-New York offers
extraordinary entertainment including the provocative and sensuous
Cirque du Soleil production, Zumanity, a thrilling roller coaster
and ESPN Zone, a sports-themed dining and entertainment complex.
New York-New York is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM MIRAGE™.
For more information and reservations, visit the web site at
www.nynyhotelcasino.com,
or call toll free at (800) 693-6763.
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RAIN POSTPONES TORCO RACING FUELS NATIONALS IN VIRGINIA
DINWIDDIE, Va. (Oct. 7) – Steady rain
and chilly temperatures forced postponement of the Torco Racing
Fuels Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park until Oct. 13-15.
The rescheduled Virginia date marks the fifth consecutive
week of race travel for the teams as the Sept. 15-16 Toyo Tires
Nationals were rained out and run Sept. 29-Oct. 1.
Including the Torco Racing Fuels Nationals, there are three
races remaining until the POWERade champions are crowned. The
Kenny Bernstein-owned Budweiser/Lucas Oil team is in the running
for the Top Fuel championship, 10 points out of second place
and 62 points out of the lead.
# # #
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BERNSTEIN HEADS FOR A WEEKEND OF RACING AND ROCKING
IN RICHMOND
RICHMOND, Va. – With three races remaining
until the NHRA POWERade champions are crowned, second generation
driver Brandon Bernstein is neck and neck with second place
and both are challenging the Top Fuel leader. The Top Fuel race
can’t get much more intense as the NHRA circuit makes
its 21st stop at the Torco Racing Fuels Nationals Oct. 6-8.
It’s been five years since an NHRA national event was
contested at Virginia Motorsports Park.
“This is going to be an interesting test,” said
Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster.
“I have never driven at this track. Though Tim (Richards,
crew chief) and several of the other crew chiefs have had experience
tuning here, a lot has changed on the race cars since we last
raced in Virgina from tire compounds to ignition systems and
a lot of other parts and pieces. I think everyone will be starting
from the ground floor and it’s going to depend on who
can get a handle on the race track first. You can’t afford
to get behind in qualifying so you have to hope you can get
a good baseline run on the first qualifying pass and fine tune
from there.
“This race throws an interesting component into the
championship battle.
“Plus this is the fourth consecutive weekend the teams
have been on the road and it wears on the stamina of the crew
members as well as the inventory of parts and pieces on the
trailer.
“We have a battle-tested crew chief and a focused team.
I’m looking forward to a good showing in Richmond.”
Bernstein is third going into the Torco Racing Fuels Nationals,
10 points behind second place and 62 points out of the lead
with 12 rounds of racing remaining until the final bell tolls.
The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team has tallied four victories and
three runner-up finishes so far this season.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Oct.
6 at 3:30 p.m. with a second round of qualifying at 6:30 p.m.
There are two qualifying sessions Saturday, 12:30 p.m. and 3:30
p.m., with final eliminations Sunday at 11 a.m.
TORCO RACING FUELS NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – Oct. 7 – ESPN2
10 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
Eliminations – Oct. 8 – ESPN2
7 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET
Bernstein to appear at Budweiser 1 Night Stand concert
– NHRA marquee Top Fuel driver Brandon Bernstein,
son of six-time champion Kenny, will appear Thursday, Oct. 5,
at the Old Town Civic Center in conjunction with a special concert
promoted by Budweiser and the Planet radio station.
Local band Eleven to One will headline the evening leading
off the festivities at 8 p.m. The event is free to the public.
WKLR 96.5 listeners, can win meet and greet VIP tickets via
on-air promotions. Listeners to sister stations Y-101 and K
95 will also be able to win VIP meet and greet tickets.
Bernstein will be signing autographs for VIP guests from 8
to 9 p.m. At 9 p.m. he will be on stage for a question and answer
session before reintroducing the band who will play a second
set from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
Old Town Civic Center is located at 136 River St. in Petersburg.
Doors to the concert open at 7:00 p.m.
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BERNSTEIN AND NHRA TOP FUEL LEADERS STATUS QUO AFTER
READING
READING, Pa. (Oct. 1) – The Budweiser/Lucas
Oil team hit a bump in the road, literally, at the rescheduled
Toyo Tires Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, but the team continues
to keep pace as the Top Fuel championship battle turns for the
homestretch.
Rain once again plagued the event during Saturday’s
qualifying session, eliminating the fourth scheduled round.
The race day field was set after three qualifying attempts.
Bernstein qualified fourth with a 4.528/325.59.
In the opening round of eliminations, Bernstein rolled into
the staging beams to face David Baca. Both drivers lost traction
early in the run. Bernstein was on and off the throttle seven
or eight times. Baca’s car proved to be too tough to tame
as it sashayed from side to side. Bernstein reached the finish
line first, 7.064/210.67 to Baca’s 10.033/78.17.
“That was a challenge,” said Bernstein. “I
tried to ease the throttle, but the tires kept popping up off
the track and it was hard to steer. It was definitely a ride.”
The second round duel was between Bernstein and David Grubnic.
Bernstein had the starting line advantage, but the car started
to drift and haze the tires, while Grubnic had a trouble-free
run, tripping the win light with a 4.535./323.43 to Bernstein’s
4.600/313.00.
“It seemed like the car left hard,” said Bernstein,
“but it kept drifting toward the wall. I tried to get
it back in the groove, but we were bouncing on some bumps in
the lane, and we hazed the tires as we got out of the groove.
We also cut a fuel line at the starting line, so fuel might
have leaked out under the tires as well, causing us traction
problems.”
The ESPN2 drag racing anchors announced the results of a fan
poll in regard to the favorite pick for the Top Fuel championship:
38 percent chose Bernstein; 33 percent chose Tony Schumacher
and 29 percent chose Doug Kalitta.
“It’s great to be the fan favorite,” said
Bernstein. “Three races to go and it’s just going
to be a nail-biter each week.”
Bernstein remains third in NHRA Top Fuel standings, 10 points
out of second place and 62 points out of the lead.
# # # |
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BRANDON BERNSTEIN TO MAKE APPEARANCE
AT BUDWEISER 1 NIGHT STAND CONCERT WITH BAND ELEVEN TO ONE
PETERSBURG, Va. – NHRA marquee Top Fuel
driver Brandon Bernstein, son of six-time champion Kenny, will
appear Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Old Town Civic Center in conjunction
with a special concert promoted by Budweiser and the Planet
radio station.
Local band Eleven to One will headline the evening leading off
the festivities at 8 p.m. The event is free to the public. WKLR
96.5 listeners, can win meet and greet VIP tickets via on-air
promotions. Listeners to sister stations Y-101 and K 95 will
also be able to win VIP meet and greet tickets.
Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster, is currently
in the battle for the NHRA Top Fuel championship. Bernstein
will be signing autographs for VIP guests from 8 to 9 p.m. At
9 p.m. he will be on stage for a question and answer session
before reintroducing the band who will play a second set from
9:30 to 11 p.m.
“This is a great opportunity outside the racetrack to
connect with existing fans and perhaps gain some new fans for
our sport,” Bernstein said. “Concert goers will
get a chance to ask some questions that might help them get
some extra insight into NHRA drag racing and our Budweiser/Lucas
Oil team.”
Old Town Civic Center is located at 136 River St. in Petersburg.
Doors to the concert open at 7 p.m. |
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BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM RED HOT AS TOP FUEL CHAMPIONSHIP
BATTLE HEADS TO READING
READING, Pa. – Budweiser/Lucas Oil driver
Brandon Bernstein describes his team as riding the crest of
a wave following this past weekend’s victory in Dallas.
Going into the rescheduled Toyo Tires Nationals Sept. 29 through
Oct. 1, Bernstein is third in NHRA Top Fuel point standings,
a mere seven points out of second place and 40 points (two rounds
of competition) out of the lead.
“Our team is clicking right now and we’ve got momentum,”
said Bernstein. “We’re focused on going rounds.
Tim (Richards, crew chief) is making some fantastic tune-up
calls. Make no mistake, there is going to be a dogfight to the
end in my opinion.
“There are so many good cars in the Top Fuel field that
can ruin your day early on. In addition to that, you really
need to meet your point competition early in eliminations which
is contrary to what you would normally want. However, in order
to make some big gains in points you have to defeat those that
are still in the championship battle early on. Obviously that
has a down side, because if you lose, you’re the guy that’s
going to be in jeopardy of losing a lot of points.
“It’s really tough on the crew chiefs. We’re
fortunate to have some veterans of championship war on our side.
Tim (Richards) and Kim (Richards) have a lot of experience to
draw upon and they’ve won championships before.”
Bernstein has been in the finals in three of the last four
races, winning twice. This season the Budweiser/Lucas Oil scorecard
reflects four victories and three runner-up finishes. The team
has won the O’Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston in April,
the Pontiac Performance Nationals in Columbus, Oh. in May, the
Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minn. in August, and last weekend’s
O’Reilly Fall Nationals in Dallas.
Runner-up performances include the O’Reilly Summernationals
in Topeka in May, the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals in St.
Louis in June, and the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
in September.
“We still have four races and 16 rounds of racing left,”
said Bernstein. “So there are a lot of points at stake.
And there’s likely to be a lot of shuffling in the points
before the championship trophy is awarded.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Sept.
29 at 3 p.m. with a second session at 6 p.m. There are two qualifying
rounds Saturday, noon and 3 p.m., with final eliminations beginning
Sunday at 11 a.m.
TOYO TIRES NATIONALS AT READING, PA.
TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – Sept. 30– ESPN2
4 – 6 p.m. ET
Eliminations – Oct. 1 – ESPN2
7 – 10 p.m. ET |
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DALLAS NATIVE BRANDON BERNSTEIN TAKES 12th
NHRA CAREER VICTORY AT TEXAS MOTORPLEX
ENNIS, Texas (Sept. 24) – Kenny and
Brandon Bernstein, who grew up in Dallas, had a Texas-style
victory celebration at the O’Reilly Fall Nationals. Six-time
NHRA champ Kenny, owner of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster,
watched from the starting line as his son Brandon piloted the
car to his first Dallas victory and his 12th career win. It
was Brandon’s fourth victory this season.
“It’s really special to be able to come to Dallas
and perform well in front of our friends and family,”
said Brandon. “It was nice to have my mom there because
she doesn’t come to every event.
“And as always, it was awesome to have dad there to
talk to after every round. He just told me to ‘keep doing
what you’re doing.’ Dad is a real stabilizing force
for me.”
Bernstein qualified seventh at the Texas Motorplex with a 4.617/329.26,
but not without some drama. Going into the final qualifying
session, the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team was not in the top 16.
“We had a brand new chassis for this event and that’s
probably why we had to dial it in during qualifying,”
explained Brandon. “We were probably a little too aggressive
at first, but the race day performance looked excellent.”
In the first round of race day eliminations, Bernstein gained
a win over Doug Herbert.
The Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster streaked to its quickest run
of the weekend, 4.572/327.98, while Herbert struggled with loss
of traction.
Bernstein faced point leader Doug Kalitta in a pivotal quarterfinals
match. Bernstein had the starting line reaction time advantage
and won the round with a 4.696/296.83 as Kalitta lost traction
down track.
“That was a nail-biter,” said Bernstein. “You
normally don’t want to meet Doug as early as the second
round, but if you want to gain points, you need to try to defeat
him early in the day. We were fortunate that Tim (Richards,
crew chief) made an excellent tune-up decision that got us to
the win light first.”
Bernstein transferred to the finals with a semifinals victory
over David Grubnic. The Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster crossed
the finish line first with another consistent 4.629/326.63 while
Grubnic spun the tires and lost traction.
The money round was a repeat of the previous rounds. Bernstein
ran 4.612/323.19 while Hot Rod Fuller lost traction and spun
the tires.
“It’s just a great day,” said Bernstein.
“I can’t say enough about Tim (Richards), Kim (Richards)
and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team. They did everything right
today.
“Our focus right now is to go rounds and try to win the
POWERade championship.
“We’re trying to ride the wave and it seems that
our team is peaking at the right moment with consistency. I’m
trying to do the best job I can and we’re all clicking
right now. We’ve got momentum.
“The top three are bunched up, but there are still heavy
hitters in the field that can do damage. I truly think that
it’s going to be a race down to the wire. It’s going
to be fun for the fans.”
Bernstein remains third in NHRA Top Fuel point standings but
has significantly closed the gap. He is 40 points out of the
lead, and seven points out of second place.
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KENNY BERNSTEIN ANNOUNCES MONSTER FUNNY CAR BODY
LAKE FOREST, Calif. (Sept. 19) – Kenny
Bernstein, who surprised the motor sports media at the Mac Tools
U.S. Nationals by announcing his 2007 comeback in a Monster
Funny Car, today confirmed that he will campaign a Dodge Charger
body by Mopar.
“We are pleased to be associated with Mopar in this
endeavor,” said Bernstein. “The Dodge Charger body
has proven to be very competitive, and of course, we’re
looking to assemble a championship-caliber operation. Mopar
has committed to work hand-in-hand with us to try to accomplish
that goal.”
“Mopar is pleased to have an opportunity to work with
a world-class racing organization such as Kenny Bernstein Racing,”
said Kevin Miller, Senior Manager, Mopar Brand Performance and
Motor Sports. “The race drivers that compete under the
Mopar banner are among the best in the business. Kenny’s
position of leadership in the motor sports industry goes hand
in hand with Mopar’s success in the sport. We are excited
in building a partnership with Monster Energy’s entrance
into NHRA Drag Racing and their Funny Car effort.”
The Funny Car chassis will be manufactured by Murf McKinney.
Bernstein expects to take delivery of the Funny Car body and
chassis in November.
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BERNSTEIN SAYS TEAM HAS TALENT TO REPEAT CONSECUTIVE
HOMESTRETCH VICTORIES
ENNIS, Texas – The championship pressure
is on and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team feels the heat
as the NHRA circuit makes its 20th stop of the 23-race series
at the O’Reilly Fall Nationals Sept. 22-24.
“With the Top Fuel point standings as close as they
are, you’re under pressure to go rounds,” said driver
Brandon Bernstein. “Ideally you have to make it to the
finals of every race to keep pace and make gains. It’s
the only way. With three or four of us still battling, you can’t
stumble.
“Tim (Richards, crew chief), Kim (Richards) and the
team have proven they can win under pressure. In 2003 when I
suffered back injuries in Englishtown, N.J., dad jumped back
in the cockpit to finish the season. That year the team won
four of the last five events.
"Tim is a stabilizing force. He helps me stay focused
and gives me confidence that every time we pull to the line,
we have a car that can win. Even when we get to the final rounds,
I have to think of it as just another round.
“Dad and I will have family and friends at this event.
It will be nice to have a lot of fans pulling for you to win.
“On race day, I am very, very focused until first round
and spend a lot of time going through my routine in my head.
If we make it through the first round, then I can come back
and mix with my friends and family, then sign some autographs
for the fans, but then it’s back into game day mode and
so it goes round to round.”
Bernstein has been to six final rounds this season, with an
even win-runner-up split, three each. The Budweiser/Lucas Oil
team won the O’Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston in April,
the Pontiac Performance Nationals in Columbus, Oh. in May. Runner-up
performances include the O’Reilly Summernationals in Topeka
in May, the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals in St. Louis in
June and the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in September.
He has qualified No. 1 three times this year.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Sept.
22 at 4:30 p.m. with a second session at 7:30 p.m. There are
two qualifying rounds Saturday, 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. with final
eliminations Sunday beginning at 11 a.m.
O’REILLY FALL NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – Sept. 23 – ESPN2
11 p.m. – 1 a.m. ET
Eliminations – Sept. 24 – ESPN2
7 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader in the U.S.
premium beer category, has extended its contract with the Bernstein
family through 2009. The 30-year partnership eclipses
Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically
Treated Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major
team sponsorship in autosports history.
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KENNY BERNSTEIN ANNOUNCES FUNNY CAR COMEBACK;
BRANDON BERNSTEIN FINISHES RUNNER-UP AT MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS
CLERMONT, Ind. (Sept. 4) –
It was a “monster” Labor Day weekend for the Bernstein
family at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.
On Friday, Sept. 1, Budweiser/Lucas Oil team owner Kenny Bernstein
surprised the motor sports media by announcing that he would
return to the cockpit in 2007 at the wheel of a Monster Energy
Drinks Funny Car. Bernstein’s comeback pronouncement was
the buzz of the weekend and kept the six-time champion busy
with multitudes of electronic and print interviews.
“We are pleased to have found a scenario with Monster
Energy Drinks that is such a perfect fit,” said Bernstein.
“With many Anheuser-Busch wholesalers distributing Monster
product, we were able to keep the sponsorship association in
the Anheuser-Busch family.”
On the race track, second generation driver Brandon Bernstein
kept pace with the championship
chase by earning a runner-up finish at the most prestigious
event on the NHRA drag racing circuit.
The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Top Fuel class was the quickest
in NHRA history. Bernstein qualified an uncustomary No. 10 with
a 4.544-second elapsed time at 328.46 mph.
In the opening round of Monday’s final eliminations,
Bernstein faced off against Hillary Will.
The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team ripped off their quickest run
of the weekend, 4.514/332.67, to win the round and set top speed
of the event. Will suffered loss of traction early in the run,
clocking 8.463/84.82.
“That run was a blast,” said Bernstein. “It
was really fast. We might not have qualified as high in the
field as we normally do, but Tim, Kim and the team certainly
made some tuning strides in the first round today.”
The battle of the beers ignited in the quarterfinals as Bernstein
and Larry Dixon rolled to the starting line. Dixon lost traction
at the hit of the throttle (9.996/97.12) while Bernstein made
another consistent pass, 4.551/329.02.
"Our goal is to keep going rounds,” said Bernstein.
“This is what Tim Richards does on race day: he just fine
tunes.”
In the semifinals, Bernstein and Cory McClenathan raced to
one of the closest matches of the day, Bernstein clocking 4.524/332.51
to best Cory's 4.588/323.04 effort by a .0023-second margin
of victory.
Bernstein transferred to his first Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
finals to face Tony Schumacher. Bernstein was first out of the
starting gate and it was a dogfight down the quarter-mile but
the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster began to lose ground at the
finish line and Schumacher won the event.
“It was so exciting to be in the final round at Indy,”
said Bernstein. “I was so excited that I really had to
stop and change my perspective to think of it as just another
round.
“We were right there with Tony when our crankshaft broke
at about the 1,000 foot marker. It was still a good weekend
and the point chase has tightened up with five races to go.”
Bernstein maintains third in NHRA POWERade Top Fuel standings,
42 points out of second place and 96 out of the lead.
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BRANDON BERNSTEIN THIRD IN TOP FUEL POINTS AS BATTLE
HEATS UP IN READING
READING, Pa. -- The NHRA Top Fuel championship
is dangling between four drivers with five races remaining before
the coronation of this year’s best of the best.
Brandon Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel
dragster, is only 96 points out of the lead and 42 points out
of second place as the NHRA circuit makes a stop in Reading,
Pa. Sept. 15-17. He has been to six final rounds in 18 starts
this season, winning three events.
“There’s no question that this is going to be
a tough battle to the end,” said Bernstein. “We
gained 56 points on the leader at Indy, but that was an unusual
circumstance. It’s all about going rounds. We had a good
showing at Indy with a runner-up finish. We had a crankshaft
break in the final round, but Tim (Richards, crew chief), Kim
(Richards) and the team had our car just perfect. We were running
competitive elapsed times and we were able to repeat the consistency
all day.
“Our team strategy is just to focus on one round at
a time. We also have to be aware of those behind us in the points.
It’s obvious that the four of us who are really battling
for the championship can’t make it to the final round
every remaining race, so whoever stumbles will be very vulnerable
since we’re all packed in there within a few rounds of
each other.
“Maple Grove Raceway conditions are traditionally cool,
quick and fast. With all the trees surrounding the track, there’s
plenty of oxygen to feed the horsepower of these engines.
“It should be a good race for the fans and media in
Reading and for the remainder of the season.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Sept.
15 at 3 p.m. with a second session at 6 p.m. There are two qualifying
rounds Saturday, noon and 3 p.m., with final eliminations beginning
Sunday at 11 a.m.
TOYO TIRES NATIONALS AT READING, PA. TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – Sept. 16 – ESPN2
4 – 6 p.m. ET
Eliminations – Sept. 17 – ESPN2
7 – 10 p.m. ET
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader in the U.S.
premium beer category, has extended its contract with the Bernstein
family through 2009. The 30-year partnership eclipses
Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically
Treated Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major
team sponsorship in autosports history.
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BERNSTEIN THIRD IN NHRA POINT STANDINGS;
LOOKING TO GO ROUNDS AT INDY TO GAIN GROUND IN CHAMPIONSHIP
CHASE
CLERMONT, Ind. – In his young career,
Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel driver Brandon Bernstein has amassed
an enviable 11 career victories and three runner-up finishes,
a record he is very proud of. He credits his success to crew
chief Tim Richards, Kim Richards and his teammates.
“If it weren’t for Tim, Kim and the team, I would
never have been able to have the success I’ve enjoyed.
“Above all, I want to thank my dad for giving me the
opportunity.”
An important addition to any NHRA drag racing driver’s
resume is to be able to count the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals among
his or her list of victories.
The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Sept. 1-4 becomes very important
not only to the winning driver, but because the Top Fuel championship
chase is winding down, those teams that have a mathematical
shot at taking home the season’s crown, will be focused
on going rounds to accumulate as many points as possible.
As it stands, going into the 18th race of the 23-event series,
Bernstein is third in Top Fuel standings, 16 points out of second
place and 152 out of the lead.
“Our focus will be to go rounds, taking them one at
a time,” said the second generation driver. “We
have a chance to gain points if someone stumbles, but we also
need to defend our position from those who are right behind
us. With six races remaining, every round win is critical and
difficult because of the caliber of competitive cars in our
class.
“After the Memphis race, we went to Indy to test, as
did most of the other teams. We worked on making some changes
to our hot weather tune-up, and we feel we made some headway.
“The fans should really be enjoying the chase this year.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Sept.
1 at 7:30 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 2:45
p.m. and 7:30 p.m., followed by two rounds Sunday, 12:45 p.m.
and 4:10 p.m. Eliminations begin Monday at 11 a.m.
MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – Sept. 2 - ESPN2
5 – 6 p.m. ET
Qualifying – Sept. 3 –ESPN2
Noon – 2 p.m. ET
Qualifying – Sept. 3 – ESPN2
11 p.m. – 1 a.m. ET
Eliminations – Sept. 4 – ESPN2
Noon – 2 p.m.
Eliminations – Sept. 4 – ESPN2
4 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET
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BERNSTEIN INCHING HIS WAY UP THE CHAMPIONSHIP POINT
LADDER;
SETS LOW ELAPSED TIME AND TOP SPEED AT O’REILLY MID-SOUTH
NATIONALS
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (Aug. 21) – Brandon
Bernstein and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team continue to whittle
away at the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel championship point standings.
After the O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports
Park, the team gained a position and is now third in point standings.
Additionally they are only 16 points, less than one round, behind
second place and 156 points out of the lead.
Bernstein qualified third for the 17th event in the 23-race
series, with a 4.605-second elapsed time at a speed of 324.05
mph. Bernstein’s qualifying speed held throughout the
weekend as top speed of the event.
In the first round of eliminations, Bernstein and Doug Herbert
squared off under very hot, sunny conditions with track temperatures
in excess of 130 degrees. Both cars lost traction, Herbert early
on, and Bernstein at half track. Bernstein drove to the win
light with a 5.325/221.02 vs. Herbert’s 5.531/257.63.
Before the second round got underway, persistent rain storms
battered the racetrack. At 9 p.m. Sunday evening, NHRA officials
were forced to postpone eliminations until Monday morning.
When racing resumed, Bernstein drove to the starting line to
face the driver of the rival “blue” car, Larry Dixon.
As announcer Bob Frey frequently likes to say, ‘Tim (Richards,
crew chief) had the Budweiser/Lucas Oil car running on mean.’
Dixon and Bernstein left together, Dixon began to nose ahead,
but about the 400-foot mark, Bernstein blasted by to set low
elapsed time of the meet (4.553 seconds) at 327.59 mph, winning
by a car length.
“Larry and I are good buddies,” said Bernstein,
“but we both really get up for these head to head matches.
Neither one of us wants to call our sponsor and say they lost
to the other beer car. They’re a tough team and I know
Tim put a lot of thought into that tune-up. That was a great
ride.”
The semifinals face off against Doug Kalitta saw an unexpected
gremlin weaken the performance of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster.
Kalitta had a trouble-free run to the win light, while the Budweiser/Lucas
Oil dragster dropped two cylinders at the hit of the throttle.
“Fuel system problems cropped up on that run,”
said a disappointed Bernstein. “We obviously would have
liked to gain a few points in the championship chase. We definitely
have the team and we have proven we can run competitive numbers.
Here in Memphis we had both top speed and low elapsed time of
the event. That’s a big feather in the team’s hat.
“And very importantly, we gained a position in points.
We’re third and we’re going after second place.
But we have to defend our position from drivers coming up behind
us in the points as well. I’m sure there will be some
big dogfights in these final races.”
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BERNSTEIN LOOKS FOR STRONG SHOWING AT NHRA O’REILLY
MID-SOUTH NATIONALS
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – With seven races
remaining on the 23-event NHRA POWERade circuit, Brandon Bernstein
and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team need to make every pass down
the quarter-mile count at the O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals
Aug.18-20. Fresh off a win last weekend at the Lucas Oil Nationals
at Brainerd International Raceway, the team has momentum and
has clearly seeded itself in the Top Fuel championship chase
at this time.
During the first half of the season, the team made four trips
to the final round, two to victory circle. Bernstein won the
O’Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston in April, the Pontiac
Performance Nationals in Columbus, Oh. in May and was runner-up
at the O’Reilly Summernationals in Topeka in May and the
O’Reilly Midwest Nationals in St. Louis in June. He has
qualified No. 1 three times this year.
Then during the July West Coast Swing, the team stumbled in
the first round of each of the three races.
“It was frustrating,” said driver Bernstein. “The
painful part is that Tim (Richards, crew chief), Kim (Richards)
and the team had the car running really stout in qualifying.
It wasn’t like we were struggling. If there was a change
from cooler to hotter track conditions in qualifying, we still
went right down the track, clocking competitive numbers.
“In fact during the last two races of the West Coast Swing,
our team was awarded the Full Throttle prize for performance
and consistency in qualifying.
“It’s very obvious we’re running competitive
numbers. We just needed to go rounds and we proved we could
run consistently when we won at Brainerd. We didn’t back
into any of those round wins.”
“The bottom line is that we’re not lost,”
said team owner and six-time champion Kenny Bernstein. “What
happened to us in the Western Swing was that we just had a little
too aggressive of a tune-up in all three of the first rounds.
“Does it surprise us we won at Brainerd? No, because we
really have it in it. It was just a matter of putting four consecutive
runs together and Tim got that going at Brainerd.
“Can we challenge for the championship? The car’s
got it, the team’s got it, and it’s just a matter
of making it work. We made up some good ground at Brainerd.
We just need to keep it going.”
“And one last thing,” added Brandon, “For
whatever reasons, we’ve been successful at O’Reilly
title rights races. We expect the weather will be very hot in
Memphis for this race and as a result, the track will be tricky.
But let’s hope our team’s winning tradition continues
for the O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Aug.
18 at 5:30 p.m. with a second session at 8 p.m. There are two
qualifying rounds Saturday, 3 and 7 p.m., with final eliminations
beginning Sunday at 3 p.m.
O’REILLY MID-SOUTH NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – August 19 – ESPN2
8 – 10 p.m. ET
Eliminations – August 20 – ESPN2
10 p.m. – 1 a.m. ET
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader in the U.S.
premium beer category, has extended its contract with the Bernstein
family through 2009. The 30-year partnership eclipsed
Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically
Treated Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major
team sponsorship in autosports history.
Kenny Bernstein was inducted into the Texas Motor Sports
Hall of Fame, Wed. April 5 at a gala at the Texas Motor Speedway.
Six-time NHRA world champion Bernstein and Indy-car
designer and team owner Jim Hall were chosen by a panel of motorsports
journalists across Texas as third year inductees into the Hall
of Fame. Bernstein was honored for his achievements in drag
racing and as an Indy Car and NASCAR team owner. |
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BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM WINS THIRD RACE OF SEASON
AT NHRA LUCAS OIL NATIONALS
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 13). – The Kenny
Bernstein-owned Budweiser/Lucas Oil team got back in the winning
groove at the Lucas Oil Nationals, following the script they
had written. The script read “go rounds.”
Driver Brandon Bernstein drove to his 11th career victory
and added his first Brainerd victory to the five his father
earned at this track. It was Brandon’s third victory of
the season and his fifth final round appearance.
Bernstein was the No. 2 qualifier with a 4.538-second elapsed
time at 325.14 miles per hour.
In the opening round of rain-delayed eliminations against
Scott Weis, Bernstein clocked a winning 4.614/315.19 as Weis
fouled with a red light start.
In the quarterfinals against David Grubnic, the Budweiser/Lucas
Oil dragster looked flawless as it streaked to the win light
with a 4.519/330.80 while Grubnic lost traction in the other
lane, limping across the finish line with a 5.002/306.53.
That was an important round win for the Kenny Bernstein team
as Grubnic came into the Brainerd event only 44 points behind.
“We needed some round wins,” said Brandon. “Tim
(Richards, crew chief) made some tune-up changes for the second
round. All I know is that drawers were opening and closing at
a fast pace in the race trailer as Tim chose parts and pieces
for the second round. Whatever he did worked!”
In the semifinals, Bernstein faced off against his good friend
Morgan Lucas. Morgan is the son of Charlotte and Forrest Lucas
who sponsor the Brainerd race and are a title rights sponsor
on the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster.
“I’ve said this many times before,” said
Bernstein. “I just have to block out the other lane, make
sure I do my job, and stomp the throttle.”
The Bernstein-Lucas match was a battle to the 1000-foot mark,
where Bernstein nosed ahead for the victory, 4.545/332.10, to
Morgan's 4.687/252.28. Brandon's 332.10 mph speed was top speed
of the meet.
In the money round against Tony Schumacher, Bernstein had a
trouble-free blast down the quarter-mile (4.510/329.34) while
Schumacher lost traction early on.
“When Tim gets on a roll on race day he is able to get
the car to repeat,” said Brandon. “And maybe he
just gives it a little more here or there to see if it will
respond and sure enough, it did. I figured he was going to go
for a low 4.50 or maybe a high 4.40 in the final because we
knew Schumacher could and was running those numbers. We didn’t
really want to beat ourselves. We just wanted to run well and
take the win light.
“I never saw Tony. I never heard him or anything. And
then our (blower) belt came off right when I lifted and I actually
didn’t know if we’d won or not. I thought maybe
he got around us.
Legendary driver/owner Kenny Bernstein addressed this victory
that was preceded by three first round losses on the Western
Swing.
“The bottom line is that we’re not lost,”
said Kenny. “It’s not as if we can’t get down
the racetrack. We’ve been running well. In the Western
Swing we ran good. We qualified one, two or three at all three
races. We put a lot of good runs together. It’s just being
consistent on race day. What happened to us in the first round
on the Western Swing was that we just had a little too much
at all three of them.
“Tim did a great job today,” continued Kenny. “Does
this surprise us? No, because we really have it in it. It’s
just a matter of making it happen on four consecutive runs.
Today was the day we got it going.
“Can we challenge for the championship? The car’s
got it, the team’s got it, and it’s just a matter
of making it work.
“We’ve been in the position in the past where we’ve
been totally lost and not running good and then something like
this would have been real surprising. People thought we were
really struggling these last races and we really were not. We
were running well. We just didn’t get a break and we overdid
it a taste. It’s a different deal entirely than being
lost. This sport definitely makes you humble. We are ecstatic
to have another win for Budweiser, Lucas Oil, and all of our
sponsors.”
“We made up some good ground today,” said Brandon.
“We’ve made up some points and we have a car that’s
a winner. There are seven races left. That’s a lot of
racing.”
Bernstein remains fourth in POWERade Top Fuel point standings
has chipped away at the leaders. The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team
is 116 points out of first place and 35 points out of second.
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BERNSTEIN LOOKING TO GO ROUNDS AT SPONSOR’S
RACE
BRAINERD, Minn. – Brandon Bernstein
and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team are feeling the heat of the
POWERade Top Fuel championship challenge as the circuit heads
to the Lucas Oil Nationals Aug. 11-13.
In the first half of the season, they made four final round
appearances, winning two events. Though the team qualified well,
great expectations of continuing their string of round wins
went up in smoke, literally, in the West Coast Swing where they
suffered first round losses in each of the three races. The
team is currently fourth in POWERade Top Fuel point standings
and remains optimistic that they will be in the hunt as the
season winds down.
“We certainly didn’t expect that outcome on the
West Coast Swing,” said second-generation driver Bernstein.
“Temperatures in Brainerd are traditionally cooler so
we’re looking forward to that. However, our performance
on the West Coast Swing in qualifying was good on hot or cooler
tracks. Now we have to go rounds.
“Going into Brainerd, we’re 180 points out of first
place with eight races remaining in the season. If the cards
go right, we can get back within striking distance of the championship.
There’s still plenty of time, especially if the front
runners stumble.
“A perfect example of our team’s capability to
rally was in 2003 when I suffered back injuries and Dad drove
the rest of the season. He won four of the last five races and
had six semifinal finishes. You can rack up a lot of points
going rounds like that.
“Tim (Richards, crew chief) is a seasoned veteran with
a lot of talent. I know this team will remain focused.
“Also we want to perform well at Brainerd for our sponsor,
Lucas Oil.”
Bernstein won the O’Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston
in April, the Pontiac Performance Nationals in Columbus, Oh.
in May and was runner-up at the O’Reilly Summernationals
in Topeka in May and the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals in
St. Louis in June. He has qualified No. 1 three times this year.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday at
3:30 p.m. with a second session at 6:15 p.m. There are two qualifying
rounds Saturday, noon and 3 p.m., with final eliminations beginning
at 11 a.m. Sunday.
LUCAS OIL NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – August 12 – ESPN2
6 - 8 p.m. ET
Eliminations – August 13 – ESPN2
7 – 10 p.m. ET
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader in the U.S.
premium beer category, has extended its contract with the Bernstein
family through 2009. The 30-year partnership eclipsed
Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically
Treated Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major
team sponsorship in autosports history.
Kenny Bernstein was inducted into the Texas Motor
Sports Hall of Fame, Wed. April 5 at a gala at the Texas Motor
Speedway. Six-time NHRA world champion Bernstein and
Indy-car designer and team owner Jim Hall were chosen by a panel
of motorsports journalists across Texas as third year inductees
into the Hall of Fame. Bernstein was honored for his achievements
in drag racing and as an Indy Car and NASCAR team owner.
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BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM STRONG IN QUALIFYING;
SUFFERS FIRST ROUND LOSS IN SONOMA
SONOMA, Calif. (July 30) – For the
second consecutive week, the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team
captured the prestigious $3000 Full Throttle award for performance
and consistency in qualifying. The team qualified in the No.
2 spot with a 4.532-second elapsed time at 327.11 miles per
hour.
But all the strong, consistent runs made in qualifying were
for naught as sunny conditions prevailed to heat the track up
for the first round of eliminations.
Second generation driver Brandon Bernstein faced off against
Larry Dixon in the opening round. Both drivers had their struggles
with loss of traction, and despite breaking a blower belt, Dixon
got to the finish line first.
“We had done so well in qualifying once again,”
said Bernstein. “We kept pace with the field in both cool
and sunny conditions and thought we knew where the edge was,
but we stepped over it.
“We’ve got to stand on the gas now to make up
for the ground we lost on the West Coast Swing. It’s obvious
we’re capable of running competitive numbers, and I know
with Tim (Richards, crew chief) leading the charge, we can jump
back in the dogfight.”
Bernstein is fourth in NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings.
# # #
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BERNSTEIN VYING TO KEEP SPOT IN NHRA TOP FUEL CHAMPIONSHIP
BATTLE
SONOMA, Calif. – The Kenny Bernstein-owned
Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team is in a position to challenge
for this year’s NHRA POWERade Top Fuel championship as
they enter Fram Autolite Nationals competition July 28-30.
“The Sonoma race is the 15th race in our 23-event series
and it’s the final leg in our three-race West Coast swing,”
said driver Brandon Bernstein. “At the mid-way point of
the season, we had been in four final rounds, winning two events.”
Bernstein won the O’Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston
in April, the Pontiac Performance Nationals in Columbus, Oh.
in May, and was runner-up at the O’Reilly Summernationals
in Topeka in May and the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals in
St. Louis in June.
“If we can go rounds and rack up some points at Infineon
Raceway, then we can be right in the middle of the dogfight
for the championship trophy going into the homestretch,”
continued Bernstein.
“Tim (Richards, crew chief) has a lot of experience to
draw from. He knows what it’s like to handle the pressure
of a championship run, having won five championships as a crew
chief for Joe Amato, and one for my dad the first year he joined
our team in 2001.”
“All the teams that will be mathematically in the championship
hunt are going to have to have consistency and they’re
going to need to go rounds. There will be no room for bobbles.
The competition is just too tough.
“Crew chiefs will be agonizing over every tune-up every
round. And this just doesn’t go for race day. You’re
going to have to get some consistency in qualifying as well.
It’s hard to get behind in qualifying and then try to
pull out of it on race day. It’s going to be interesting.”
Local Napa Valley businessman Matt Cordeiro will join the Budweiser/Lucas
Oil team as an associate sponsor for the Fram Autolite Nationals
July 28-30 at Infineon Raceway.
Cordeiro, owner of Matthew J. Cordeiro Enterprises, was born
in Vallejo and moved to Napa Valley in 1982, graduating from
Justin Sienna High School in 1984. Cordeiro now owns several
local businesses which include Royal Coach Limousine and Bus
Charters, Cordeiro Brothers Trucking and Cordeiro@Cammaroto
investment company.
“NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon grew up in Vallejo and was
a few years behind me in high school,” said Cordeiro.
“That heightened my interest in racing and I’ve
become a big auto racing fan.”
“We’ve known Matt for a couple of years,”
said Kenny Bernstein. “He was introduced by a mutual friend
of ours, Joe Murducca. Matt and his brother have been guests
of ours at Infineon. It’s great to have someone who really
is passionate about our sport have the opportunity to share
the excitement of a race weekend with us.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the Fram Autolite
Nationals begins Friday, July 28 at 4 p.m. with a second session
at 7:30 p.m. There are two rounds of qualifying Saturday, noon
and 3:30 p.m., with final eliminations scheduled to kick off
at noon Sunday.
FRAM AUTOLITE NHRA NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – July 29 – ESPN2
8 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET
Eliminations – July 30- ESPN2
8 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader in the U.S.
premium beer category, has extended its contract with the Bernstein
family through 2009. The 30-year partnership eclipsed
Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically
Treated Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major
team sponsorship in autosports history.
Kenny Bernstein was inducted into the Texas Motor
Sports Hall of Fame, Wed. April 5 at a gala at the Texas Motor
Speedway. Six-time NHRA world champion Bernstein and
Indy-car designer and team owner Jim Hall were chosen by a panel
of motorsports journalists across Texas as third year inductees
into the Hall of Fame. Bernstein was honored for his achievements
in drag racing and as an Indy Car and NASCAR team owner.
# # #
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BERNSTEIN NO.1 QUALIFIER IN SEATTLE;
SETS LOW ELAPSED TIME AND TOP SPEED OF EVENT
KENT, Wash. (July 23) – The Budweiser/Lucas
Oil team consistently clocked competitive times in qualifying
sessions for the NHRA Schuck’s Auto Supply Nationals,
capturing the No. 1 spot with a 4.555-second elapsed time at
327.11 mph, low elapsed time and top speed of the event.
It was driver Brandon Bernstein’s 11th career No. 1
qualifying honor, his third of the season and his first at Pacific
Raceways.
The Kenny Bernstein-owned team was awarded the Budweiser Shootout
low qualifying check for $4000 and the $3000 Full Throttle bonus
for performance and consistency during qualifying.
“We were performing great on both hot and cooler tracks,”
said Bernstein. “In the evening session and on an overcast
track, we were running great numbers and those were the conditions
under which we went quickest. In the heat, we still ran well.
We thought we had the bases covered for whatever the weather
gods brought us for race day.”
Sunday’s eliminations began in hot, sunny conditions.
Bernstein faced off against Alan Bradshaw in the opening round
and both drivers lost traction and struggled to get to the finish
line.
Bernstein had a slight lead, but Bradshaw crossed the finish
line first.
“The car left and then it quivered,” explained
Bernstein. “Then it got to smoking the tires, and I tried
to pedal it a couple of times. The last time I pedaled it, it
blew the burst panels (of the engine) out. We were just kind
of sitting ducks. I knew Alan was probably having troubles,
I heard him next to me pedaling it, but he came around me at
the end.
“This is definitely a humbling sport.”
Bernstein remains third in POWERade Top Fuel point standings.
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BERNSTEIN HOPES TO DEFEND LAST YEAR’S VICTORY
AT PACIFIC RACEWAYS TO ACCUMULATE POINTS TOWARD CHAMPIONSHIP
KENT, Wash. – Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top
Fuel driver Brandon Bernstein hopes to defend last year’s
victory at Pacific Raceways when he competes in the Schuck’s
Auto Supply Nationals July 21-23.
“Our team has been fortunate to celebrate victories
every year since my 2003 rookie season,” said Bernstein.
“Last year we won twice, St. Louis and Seattle. At the
halfway point this season, we were third in point standings,
we’ve been to the final round four times and have won
twice. Seattle is the middle event of the three-race West Coast
Swing, and if we can do well in these three races, we have a
bona fide chance at the POWERade championship title. It would
be awesome to be in the dogfight at the end.
“We have a team that’s very capable. Tim (Richards,
crew chief) knows what it’s like to handle the pressure
of a championship run, having won five championships as a crew
chief for Joe Amato, and one for my dad the first year he joined
our team in 2001. Tim and his wife Kim have a wealth of experience
to draw upon and we’re very lucky in that regard.
“We need to stay focused and go rounds.
“Before the action starts on the racetrack, however,
we’re going to participate in our annual motorcycle ride
and Burnout Party Thursday evening (July 20) with two of our
local sponsors, Downtown Harley-Davidson and Olympic Eagle Distributing.
It’s a great way to relax before we get down to the business
of qualifying on Friday.”
Bernstein won the O’Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston
in April, the Pontiac Performance Nationals in Columbus, Oh.in
May and was runner-up at the O’Reilly Summernationals
in Topeka in May and the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals in
St. Louis in June. He has 10 career victories and three runner-up
finishes heading into the West Coast Swing.
Fans, motorcycle and car club members are invited to
join Brandon Bernstein for the annual Bernstein Run and Burnout
Party Thursday, July 20 in Seattle. Bernstein will
be signing autographs at Downtown Harley-Davidson, 13002 48th
Ave. S., Tukwila, from 3 – 5 p.m. Then all riders will
mount up for the run over to BB Magraw’s, 440 16th NE
in Auburn. At BB’s the Car Toys “Aftershock”
stage will be showcasing live local music, while fans and riders
enter to win prizes. A silent auction will be held to benefit
Boyers Children’s Clinic. The “Street Team”
from Seattle radio station KISW, 99.9 FM, will be at BB’s
for the party. Listen to KISW for further details or call Downtown
Harley-Davidson, 206-243-5000 or BB Magraws, 253-804-5588. There
is no charge to ride. Come join the fun!
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, July
21 at 4 p.m. with a second session at 6:30 p.m. There are two
qualifying rounds Saturday, noon and 3 p.m., with final eliminations
scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.
SCHUCK’S AUTO SUPPLY NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – July 22 – ESPN2
8 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET
Eliminations – July 23 – ESPN2
8 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader in the U.S.
premium beer category, has extended its contract with the Bernstein
family through 2009. The 30-year partnership eclipsed
Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically
Treated Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major
team sponsorship in autosports history.
Kenny Bernstein was inducted into the Texas Motor
Sports Hall of Fame, Wed. April 5 at a gala at the Texas Motor
Speedway. Six-time NHRA world champion Bernstein and
Indy-car designer and team owner Jim Hall were chosen by a panel
of motorsports journalists across Texas as third year inductees
into the Hall of Fame. Bernstein was honored for his achievements
in drag racing and as an Indy Car and NASCAR team owner. |
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BROKEN BLOWER BELT CONTRIBUTES TO BERNSTEIN’S
EARLY LOSS IN DENVER
MORRISON, Colo. (July 16) – Brandon
Bernstein was thwarted by a broken blower belt in the opening
round of NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals competition
The second generation driver qualified the Budweiser/Lucas
Oil dragster in the No. 3 position with a 4.640-second elapsed
time at 324.28 mile-per-hour run in the thin air and high altitude
at Bandimere Speedway.
“We were low elapsed time of the final round of qualifying,
so we had high hopes Sunday morning,” said Bernstein.
Bernstein described the first round battle with Mike Strasburg.
“We dropped a cylinder at the hit of the throttle,”
explained Bernstein. “But we also had built up a pretty
good lead because Strasburg had lost traction in the other lane.
Then we lost traction down track. And then the blower belt broke
on our Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster. I had my foot buried on
the floor, but we obviously had no power. I could hear his engine
getting closer and closer and I was hoping and praying that
I could still get to the finish line before he did. Then right
at the finish line, he blew past us.
“This early loss puts a lot of pressure on us for the
next two races, but I have every confidence in Tim (Richards,
crew chief), Kim (Richards) and the team. I know we have the
capability to bounce back.”
Bernstein maintains third place in POWERade Top Fuel point
standings.
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BERNSTEIN LOOKING FOR STRONG PERFORMANCE IN DENVER
TO STAY WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF TOP FUEL CHAMPIONSHIP
MORRISON, Colo. – Brandon Bernstein
and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team are looking forward
to the Mopar Mile-High Nationals, July 14-16, the first of a
three-in-a-row series of races dubbed “The West Coast
Swing.”
“We are just starting the last half of the season,”
said Bernstein. “In the first half, we went to the final
round four times, winning twice. If we can perform well during
the West Coast Swing, then we can be a contender for the championship.
“Denver is a one-off tune-up because of the altitude.
It’s pretty tricky, but Tim Richards (crew chief) has
put us in the No. 1 qualifying spot for the past two years.
He seems to excel in these conditions.
“Last year, in the first round, we had an unfortunate
incident in the burn-out. The car lost power and quit. It was
one of those days where we thought we would go some rounds and
a gremlin bit us before we even got going.
“It will be essential for us to be consistent and go
rounds.”
Bernstein won the O’Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston
in April, the Pontiac Performance Nationals in Columbus, Oh.
in May and was runner-up at the O’Reilly Summernationals
in Topeka in May and the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals in
St. Louis in June.
He is third in POWERade Top Fuel points going into the Bandimere
Speedway event.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the Mopar Mile-High
Nationals begins Friday, July 14 at 5 p.m. with a second session
at 8 p.m. There are two qualifying sessions Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
and 6 p.m., with final eliminations scheduled to begin at noon
Sunday.
MOPAR MILE-HIGH NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – July 15 – ESPN2
10 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
Eliminations – July 16 – ESPN2
9 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader in the U.S.
premium beer category, has extended its contract with the Bernstein
family through 2009. The 30-year partnership eclipsed
Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically
Treated Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major
team sponsorship in autosports history.
Kenny Bernstein was inducted into the Texas Motor Sports
Hall of Fame, Wed. April 5 at a gala at the Texas Motor Speedway.
Six-time NHRA world champion Bernstein and Indy-car
designer and team owner Jim Hall were chosen by a panel of motorsports
journalists across Texas as third year inductees into the Hall
of Fame. Bernstein was honored for his achievements in drag
racing and as an Indy Car and NASCAR team owner.
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Brandon Bernstein and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. signed
autographs and took the stage for a Q & A at a Budweiser
1 Night Stand, Thursday, July 6 in Joliet, Ill. prior to the
NASCAR USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.
Bernstein and Earnhartdt, Jr., who have become friends through
their Budweiser affiliation, had some time to catch up with
each other before the evening's activities began. They took
the stage and answered questions from the fans, in addition
to showing short video clips from a few of their favorite racetrack
moments. The band Mike and Joe performed during the evening.
"It's great to spend some time with Dale Jr." said
Bernstein. "We usually get one date throughout the season
where our schedules allow us the opportunity to do a cross-promotion.
Last year it was the Brickyard, and this season is was Joliet.
I wish our schedules weren't so crazy because the 1 Night Stands
are lot of fun and the fans really enjoy them."
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BERNSTEIN IS RUNNER-UP IN ST. LOUIS
MADISON, Ill. (June 25) – Brandon Bernstein,
driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster, kept the
memory of last year’s victory celebration with his grandfather
close at hand as he competed in the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals.
Though he wasn’t able to defend his victory at Gateway
International Raceway, he finished runner-up and continued to
chip away at the point lead.
Saturday morning Bernstein applied a special photo to one of
the panels in his 7000-horsepower cockpit. It was a snapshot
taken last year when he presented the winning trophy to his
grandfather, Bert Bernstein
“When we think of St. Louis, we think about granddad
and how happy he was when we won,” said Bernstein. “It’s
my favorite memory of him. We just wanted to take him for another
ride with us.”
Bernstein qualified second for the St. Louis race with a 4.573-second
elapsed time at 327.59 miles per hour.
The opening round of eliminations served up a high-profile
challenge for the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team as they rolled to
the starting line to face Larry Dixon and the “blue”
team. Bernstein took the lead at the 60-foot mark and never
looked back, winning the round with a 4.736/301.40 to Dixon’s
4.838/303.84.
As Bernstein streaked through the beam to turn the win light
on, you could hear a collective sigh of relief from the Budweiser/Lucas
Oil team.
"That was a huge win for us,” said Bernstein. “Larry
is a good driver and they have a great team.
We're very happy to win this important round for Budweiser!"
Bernstein scored a quarterfinals victory over David Grubnic,
4.726/318.54 vs. Grubnic’s 4.785/317.79.
“We knew David would be right there with us and he definitely
was,” said Bernstein. “We’re just trying to
go rounds.”
The semifinals were a monster match between second place driver
Doug Kalitta and Bernstein.
Bernstein won by half a car length, 4.609/327.51 vs. Kalitta’s
4.629/327.03.
“We love going rounds here in St. Louis,” said
Bernstein. “That was another great tuning call by Tim
(Richards, crew chief). Doug is an excellent leaver and I knew
I had to be on my toes.”
In the money round Bernstein faced off against Tony Schumacher,
their first meeting this season.
By the 330-foot mark the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster was in
trouble, and while Bernstein struggled to get traction to the
ground, Schumacher had a problem-free run and took the victory.
“The car left fine,” explained Bernstein. “Then
it started to rattle the tires and lose traction.
I lifted and tried to get back on the throttle, but I could
see Tony was already gone. We came up just a bit short today.
“We’ve done really well these last several races
and today we had some great tune-ups in the heat. This is our
fourth final round this season and we’re at the halfway
point. We’re in good position to challenge for the championship
if we stay focused and continue to go rounds.”
Bernstein remains third in NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings.
# # #
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BERNSTEIN HOPES TO DEFEND NHRA TOP FUEL VICTORY AT
GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
MADISON, Ill. – If you are a racer,
there’s nothing better than winning an event in your sponsor’s
backyard.
Last year Brandon Bernstein drove his father’s Budweiser/Lucas
Oil Top Fuel dragster to victory at Gateway International Raceway.
In addition to celebrating in victory circle with some of the
Anheuser-Busch executives, the win also had a highly emotional
twist.
“It was the last race my dad’s father, Bert, attended,”
said Bernstein. “He was battling cancer. He came to watch
us race and we also celebrated his birthday that weekend. Dad
and I dedicated the victory to him. After all, what better birthday
present could we give him?
“He lost his battle with cancer two months later, but
he was ear-to-ear smiles on that race day.”
Bernstein will return to Gateway June 23-25 to defend his
O’Reilly Midwest Nationals Top Fuel title.
“The St. Louis race marks the halfway point of the season,”
said Bernstein. “We had a very slow launch the first three
races, battling quirky mechanical gremlins, but we already have
two wins and a runner-up finish this season which have made
us a contender. If we can keep this momentum going, then we
should be right in the thick of the Top Fuel battle for the
year-end trophy.
“This St. Louis race is always challenging because of
the intense heat. To counteract that as much as possible, NHRA
has gone to an evening race format.
“We’re having a blast right now. Tim, (Richards,
crew chief), Kim (Richards) and the team have remained focused
through the adverse times, and at this point we’re running
quite consistently on race day, when it counts. It’s a
huge confidence builder when you pull to the starting line and
know you have a good chance of winning.
“The team is doing their job, and I try to remain calm
and on my game in the cockpit.
Bernstein won the Top Fuel trophy in Houston in April, in
Columbus May 21, and collected runner-up honors in Topeka May
28. Following the Topeka event, he was third in POWERade Top
Fuel point standings.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the O’Reilly
Midwest Nationals begins Friday, June 23 at 6 p.m. with a second
session at 9 p.m. There are two qualifying session scheduled
Saturday,
3 p.m. and 8 p.m., with the first round of eliminations Sunday
at 3 p.m.
O’REILLY MIDWEST NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – June 24 – ESPN2
10 p.m. – 12 am ET
Eliminations – June 25 – ESPN2
10 p.m. – 1 a.m. ET
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader
in the U.S. premium beer category, has extended its contract
with the Bernstein family through 2009. The 30-year partnership
eclipsed Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically
Treated Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major
team sponsorship in autosports history.
Kenny Bernstein was inducted into the Texas Motor
Sports Hall of Fame, Wed. April 5 at a gala at the Texas Motor
Speedway. Six-time NHRA world champion Bernstein and
Indy-car designer and team owner Jim Hall were chosen by a panel
of motorsports journalists across Texas as third year inductees
into the Hall of Fame. Bernstein was honored for his achievements
in drag racing and as an Indy Car and NASCAR team owner.
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BERNSTEIN GOES TO SEMIFINALS IN ENGLISHTOWN;
TAKES BUD SHOOTOUT NO.1 QUALIFYING AND FULL THROTTLE HONORS
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 18) – Though
the Kenny Bernstein-owned Budweiser/Lucas Oil team did not win
the K & N Filters Supernationals at Old Bridge Township
Raceway Park, they did make a strong semifinals showing and
walked away with some competition honors. They won the Budweiser
Shootout Top Fuel low qualifying award, the POWERade Full Throttle
award for the most consistent performance in qualifying, and
set low elapsed time (4.534 seconds) and top speed of the event
(330.72). Maintaining third place in POWERade points, they also
whittled away at the difference between the point leader and
the No. 2 competitor.
Bernstein captured his tenth career No. 1 Budweiser Shootout
low qualifying award with a 4.534-secone elapsed time at 330.72
miles per hour. It was his second No. 1 qualifying position
of the season and his second at Old Bridge Township Raceway
Park.
The first round of eliminations that pitted Bernstein against
Rit Pustari was a heart-stopper. Both cars lost traction and
both drivers were on and off the throttle in an effort to try
to get power to the ground. Then both cars seemed to lose horsepower
and began to coast toward the finish line. Bernstein tripped
the finish line beam first, 7.282/108.05 vs. Pustari's 7.342/110.02.
"I was on the throttle the whole time but we were just
coasting,” said Bernstein. ”That was our lucky dog
run. We broke a blower pulley so our horsepower was gone.”
Bernstein advanced to the quarterfinals to face his friend
Cory McClenathan. The Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster clocked 4.728/309.27
to take the win light, while McClenathan struggled with loss
of traction, 5.158/288.77.
“Cory and his team are tough competitors,” said
Bernstein. “Of course we’re out here to win, but
it’s tough when you’re running against your buddy.”
In the semifinals, Bernstein rolled to the line to face Rod
Fuller. Both cars suffered loss of traction, but Fuller recovered
first to win the round. Fuller clocked 5.007/303.84 to Bernstein’s
6.248/186.20.
“We got into some pretty good heat weather-wise today,”
said Bernstein. “I think the crew chiefs are still working
on tune-ups with the new tires in the hot weather. It’s
going to be a challenge but I think Tim (Richards), crew chief,
will figure out a good combination quickly.
“We had some consistent qualifying runs in the heat,
so that’s a good sign.
“It was also nice to go some rounds in Englishtown.
Up until this race we hadn’t had any luck past first round,
so we got the monkey off our back.
“We’re looking forward to St. Louis next weekend.”
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BRANDON BERNSTEIN HOPES TO CASH IN ON FATHER’S
SUCCESS AT ENGLISHTOWN
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. – Old Bridge Township
Raceway Park brings back flashes of painful memories of season-ending
injuries suffered from a first round crash in 2003 for second
generation driver Brandon Bernstein. For his legendary father,
six-time world champ, Kenny, the Englishtown facility was a
venue where he scored the most number of victories in his career,
seven, and has won more times than any other professional driver.
While his father won four Funny Car (1985, 1986, 1987, 1989)
and three Top Fuel (1993, 2001, 2002) trophies here, Brandon
has yet to advance past the first round at the K & N Filter
SuperNationals.
Bernstein will be back for his fourth appearance in New Jersey
June 16-18.
Is the track too tough to tame?
“I wouldn’t say that,” said Brandon Bernstein.
“When I think of Englishtown, I sometimes think about
the pain from the back injuries I suffered in the accident.
I never think about the crash; just being in the hospital, how
my family rallied around me there, and all the pain during the
recuperative process. I have blocked the crash out of my mind.
“When I get to the racetrack, it’s just another
track and I am able to concentrate on the task at hand. With
the success we’ve had so far this year winning two races
and finishing runner-up at another, I’m hopeful we can
get to the final round this year.
“There’s no question we have the talent on this
team to go the distance. Tim (Richards, crew chief), Kim (Richards)
and the team have a wealth of experience. Right now we’re
definitely a contender. It gives you a lot of confidence every
time you pull to the starting line.
“We’re nearing the halfway point of the season,
and we hope to keep the momentum going.”
Bernstein won in Houston in April, in Columbus May 21, and
finished runner-up in Topeka, May 28.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, June
16 at 4:30 p.m. with a second session at 7:30 p.m. There are
two qualifying rounds Saturday, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., with final
eliminations scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Sunday.
K & N FILTERS SUPERNATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – June 17 – ESPN2
8 – 10 p.m. ET
Eliminations – June 18 – ESPN2
4 – 7 p.m. ET
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader
in the U.S. premium beer category, has extended its contract
with the Bernstein family through 2009. The 30-year partnership
eclipsed Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically
Treated Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major
team sponsorship in autosports history.
Kenny Bernstein was inducted into the Texas Motor
Sports Hall of Fame, Wed. April 5 at a gala at the Texas Motor
Speedway. Six-time NHRA world champion Bernstein and
Indy-car designer and team owner Jim Hall were chosen by a panel
of motorsports journalists across Texas as third year inductees
into the Hall of Fame. Bernstein was honored for his achievements
in drag racing and as an Indy Car and NASCAR team owner.
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BERNSTEIN REMAINS THIRD IN NHRA POINT STANDINGS DESPITE
FRUSTRATING WEEKEND IN CHICAGO
JOLIET, Ill. (June 11) – Despite a tough
outing at the CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals, the Budweiser/Lucas
Oil team remains third in POWERade championship point standings.
Brandon Bernstein drove to the 14th qualifying position at
Route 66 Raceway with a 4.610-second elapsed time at 324.75
miles per hour.
“We just couldn’t seem to get in the groove in
qualifying,” said Bernstein. “But we’ve been
on such a good streak in the last few events that we knew we
had the capability of gathering it all up on race day.”
In the opening round of Sunday’s eliminations, Tim Richards
(crew chief) tuned Bernstein to the team’s best elapsed
time of the weekend, 4.580/326.56. Though Bernstein had the
reaction time advantage off the starting line, David Baca crossed
the finished line first to take the round win with a 4.543/327.82.
“It was a good drag race, but we just came up a bit
short,” said Bernstein. “Tim (Richards) expected
the car to perform a little quicker.
“Many of the top teams shared our fate in the first
round, and fortunately we’re still sitting within striking
distance as we approach the half-way point of the season.”
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BERNSTEIN HOPES TO CONTINUE STRING OF FINAL ROUND
APPEARANCES THIS SEASON AS HE HEADS TO CHICAGO
JOLIET, Ill. – Though Brandon Bernstein
is no stranger to victory circle at Route 66 Raceway, he has
yet to celebrate a victory at the CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals
as a professional driver in the Top Fuel category. Heading into
the Chicago event June 9-11, the Kenny Bernstein-owned Budweiser/Lucas
Oil team is arguably one of the hottest teams on the circuit
and the second generation driver hopes to add to the Bernstein
family victory total.
Bernstein’s legendary father, Kenny, has four victories
at this track, combining spring and fall races, more than any
other driver in any professional category. He won the inaugural
event in 1998, both races in 2001, and the fall event in 2003.
In 2001, the year Brandon piloted an alcohol dragster, he and
his father shared victory circle in Chicago in June, the second
time a father/son duo had celebrated victories in NHRA history.
(Kenny and his son also became the first in NHRA history to
share victories in April 2001 in Las Vegas.)
So far this season, Brandon has piloted his father’s
Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster to victories in Houston
in April and in Columbus May 21, before finishing runner-up
at the last race May 28 in Topeka.
Brandon did make a final round appearance at Route 66 Raceway
in 2004, but had to back off the throttle when his 7,000-horsepower
dragster climbed to the sky in a spectacular wheel stand that
jointly thrilled and frightened the crowd.
Bernstein has an enviable 10-2 win record in final rounds.
“We are definitely a contender,” continued Bernstein.
“The cool thing about working with Tim (Richards, crew
chief) and Kim (Richards) is that they have a wealth of experience.
It’s worth noting in the races that we’ve won this
season, we haven’t qualified as far up in the field as
we normally do, but come race day, the team has had this car
on a string and we’ve dominated. There were no ‘gimmies.’
Tim can win from any spot in the top 16. It’s a huge confidence
factor when you pull to the starting line.”
Bernstein is third in POWERade Top Fuel point standings heading
into Chicago.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, June
9 at 4 p.m. with a second session scheduled for 8 p.m. There
are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., with
final eliminations Sunday beginning at 11 a.m.
CARQUEST AUTO PART NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – June 10 – ESPN2
5 – 7 p.m. ET
Eliminations – June 11 – ESPN2
5 – 7 p.m. ET |
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BERNSTEIN IN BACK-TO-BACK FINALS; LOGS RUNNER-UP
FINISH IN TOPEKA
TOPEKA, Kan. (May 28) – Brandon Bernstein
continues to be a POWERade Top Fuel championship contender,
driving to his second final round in as many weeks. After celebrating
his 10th career victory last weekend in Columbus, Bernstein
finished runner-up at the O’Reilly Summernationals at
Heartland Park Topeka. Bernstein has a remarkable 10-2 final
round record.
Bernstein drove his father’s Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top
Fuel dragster to the No. 8 qualifying spot this weekend with
a 4.684-second elapsed time at 316.45 mph.
Larry Dixon and Bernstein drove the first pair of cars down
the track in eliminations. It was a solid run for the Budweiser/Lucas
Oil team, their best run of the weekend as well as low elapsed
time of the round, 4.625/301.27 vs. Dixon's 4.755/295.08. Both
drivers had identical reaction times, but Bernstein led from
the 60-foot mark to the finish line and never looked back.
"Larry is part of a great caliber team and they’re
always tough,” said Bernstein. “Thanks to Tim, Kim
and the team for a great tune-up on that round."
In the quarterfinals, Bernstein rolled to the starting line
to face point leader Melanie Troxel. It was a pivotal round
win for Bernstein. Announcer Bob Frey punctuated the win by
saying, “The Budweiser Lucas/Oil team is the first team
to outrun Melanie this year.”
Bernstein again garnered low elapsed time of the round with
a 4.648/311.27 to Melanie's 4.786/293.09.
"That was a great drag race,” said Bernstein. “We
have to be on our game. The team’s doing a great job and
I have to do my job.”
In semifinal competition, Bernstein continued his string of
low elapsed round times, defeating Clay Millican with a 4.707/304.12
while Millican lost traction (5.129/249.35) in the other lane.
Transferring to the finals for the second consecutive weekend,
Bernstein was scheduled to face Doug Kalitta, the only driver
he had finished runner-up against, but also the driver he defeated
in 2004 when he won Topeka. In career matches, they pulled to
the starting line with six wins each.
The two hottest drivers on the circuit at the present time
put on a great show for the fans, but it was Kalitta with a
narrow margin of victory, 4.675/310.98 to Bernstein’s
4.691/307.09.
“We’ve had a good couple of weeks,” said
Bernstein, “and we hope to keep the momentum going. We
have a week to freshen up parts and then we hit the road for
three-in-a-row.”
Bernstein maintains third place in POWERade Top Fuel point
standings.
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BRANDON BERNSTEIN LOOKING
TO BOOST FAMILY VICTORY TOTAL IN THE HEARTLAND
TOPEKA, Kan. – Six-time NHRA world champion Kenny
Bernstein and his son Brandon have celebrated three victories
at Heartland Park Topeka. Brandon will be looking to increase
the total to four when the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team competes
in the O’Reilly Summer Nationals May 26-28.
Kenny Bernstein took home the Top Fuel trophy in 1997 and 2001,
his final championship year. Brandon won in 2004, a story which
has a bit of irony. Brandon started his 2003 rookie season winning
three of the first eight events of his professional career.
Brandon suffered severe back injuries in a first round crash
in Englishtown, N.J., which sidelined him for the remainder
of the season.
The first race he missed was Topeka. Kenny came out of retirement
to finish the season as driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster
at the O’Reilly Summer Nationals that year. Immediately
after he completed his Sunday run, Kenny flew to Englishtown
to get Brandon, who had just been released from the hospital,
to take him to California where Kenny could oversee his recovery
along with California-based specialist Dr. Robert Watkins.
“It’s weird how that win in 2004 worked out,”
said Brandon. “As you’re racing, those things don’t
enter your mind. You just concentrate on the task at hand. That
was our third victory that season.”
It was also the sixth of nine career victories to date.
The second-generation driver has scored one victory thus far
this season at Houston in April. He was also the No. 1 qualifier
in Atlanta in May.
“We have been putting some very strong numbers on the
scoreboard this season,” said Bernstein, “but we’ve
also had several instances of quirky mechanical malfunctions
which have arisen on race day.
“We went for an unexpected wild ride in a Friday night
qualifying session in Atlanta where we lost a tire and wrestled
the car to a three-wheel stop to take the No. 1 qualifying spot.
Despite the surprises and challenges we’ve faced this
year, Tim (Richards, crew chief), Kim (Richards) and all of
us on the team have remained focused and positive. I know that
when I come to the starting line, Tim and the team have prepared
a race car that can win. It’s a huge confidence builder.
We just need to exorcise the mechanical demons and get on with
the season.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday at 5
p.m. with a second session at 8 p.m. There are two qualifying
runs Saturday, 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., with final eliminations
scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.
O’REILLY SUMMER NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – May 27 – ESPN2
8 – 9 p.m. ET
Eliminations – May 28 – ESPN2
10 p.m. – 1 a.m. ET
Kenny Bernstein inducted into the Texas Motor Sports Hall of
Fame: Six-time NHRA world champion Kenny Bernstein and Indy-car
designer and team owner Jim Hall were inducted into the Texas
Motor Sports Hall of Fame, Wed., April 5 in a gala at the Texas
Motor Speedway. Dallas Morning News motorsports columnist Terry
Blount performed the induction ceremonies for Bernstein. The
two inductees were chosen by a blue ribbon panel of motorsports
journalists across Texas.
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader in the U.S. premium
beer category, has extended its contract with the Bernstein
family through 2009. The 30-year partnership eclipses Richard
Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically Treated
Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major team
sponsorship in autosports history.
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BERNSTEIN NOTCHES 10TH CAREER VICTORY; JUMPS TO THIRD
IN POINT STANDINGS
HEBRON, Ohio (May 21) – Brandon Bernstein drove
to his 10th NHRA career victory at the Pontiac Performance Nationals
at National Trail Raceway. Bernstein has an enviable final round
win record. In 10 of 11 final round appearances, he has driven
his Tim Richards-tuned Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster to victory.
“It just seems that when Tim (Richards) gets on a roll
on race day, he is able to fine tune the combination,”
said Bernstein. “Once we get to the final round it’s
as if he knows he’s going to have a car that can win.
The confidence you have with a 10 and one record gives you an
added edge to know you have the capability to win. We’ve
been very fortunate to keep that streak going.”
Bernstein occupied an uncustomary 10th place on the qualifying
ladder with a 4.566-second elapsed time at 326.08 mph.
“With rain cutting short one of our qualifying sessions
and an unexpected fuel pressure problem in the final qualifying
round, we didn’t qualify in the top half of the field
as we usually do,” said Bernstein. “But Sunday morning
we were definitely in race trim.”
Bernstein and David Baca created fan excitement in the first
round of rain delayed eliminations in a side-by-side battle
down the quarter-mile. Bernstein was first to cross the finish
line with a 4.559/327.51 to Baca's 4.567/316.38 and took the
round win with a .0377-second margin of victory.
The quarterfinals proved to be another close race between Bernstein
and Luigi Novelli until a puff of smoke slowed Novelli's car
about the 800-foot mark, while Bernstein flashed past the win
light, 4.573/328.22 to Novelli's 4.728/270.86.
"That was a great run,” said Bernstein. “Tim
keeps fine tuning the combination."
Announcer Bob Frey aptly called the semifinal duel between Bernstein
and Larry Dixon "spectacular" and just about as close
as it can get. Brandon won the round with a 4.540/329.58 to
Larry Dixon's 4.543/325.69.
"We know Dixon and his team can run the numbers,”
said Bernstein. “That was a great drag race for the fans.
Tim and the team are doing an awesome job."
In the money round against his friend Cory McClenathan, the
duo brought the crowd to their feet with a neck and neck race
until McClenathan’s engine expired about the 800-foot
mark.
“The final run was amazing,” said Bernstein. “When
we get to the finals it seems Tim can make the car go quicker
and stay consistent. He left the best run for the final round.
I basically make sure I’m on my game and leave (the starting
line) right on time with the driver in the other lane.
“When I’m getting ready for the run, I just try
to tell myself it’s another round of racing and try to
stay out of the pressure situation of it being a final round.
It feels great to have such a competitive car!”
“I am so proud of Tim, Kim, Brandon and the entire crew!
We have been battling some real gremlins this season and all
of their hard work really showed. We would like to dedicate
this victory to Larry Casey and all our friends at La Paz Products.
It’s hard to believe a year has gone by since we lost
our dear friend and longtime sponsor. I just know we had an
angel above watching over our team this weekend”, said
Owner, Kenny Bernstein.
Bernstein moves to third in NHRA Top Fuel POWERade point standings,
21 points out of second place.
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BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM HOPES PERFORMANCE AND TENACITY
WILL BRING SECOND VICTORY OF SEASON IN COLUMBUS
HEBRON, Ohio – Brandon Bernstein and
the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team have high hopes for the continued
strong performance of their Top Fuel dragster at the Pontiac
Performance Nationals May 18-21, but they would like to eradicate
the mechanical gremlins that have plagued them this season.
“We had great elapsed times and speeds, just a flawless
day, when we won in Houston in April,” said Bernstein.
“The fact is we’ve had competitive numbers at every
race. It’s just been a quirky season as far as weird mechanical
glitches go. If we hadn’t had those problems, we would
be just great. Our team is staying positive. We’re going
to get all of these surprises out of the way early so we can
have a good rest of the season.”
Bernstein holds the National Trail Raceway elapsed time record
of 4.489 seconds set in June 2004, the same year he was the
No. 1 qualifier at this track.
In addition to earning his ninth career victory in Houston earlier
this year, Bernstein scored his ninth career No. 1 qualifying
effort at the Atlanta event, the race preceding the Pontiac
Performance Nationals.
“Tim (Richards, crew chief) seems to have a good handle
on the cool and warm weather tune-ups on the car,” said
Bernstein. “It definitely adds to the confidence factor
that we can go out there and run with the top dogs. And it takes
someone with Tim’s expertise and experience to be able
to make the changes that are called for by different conditions.
You might qualify under cool conditions and cloudy skies all
through qualifying and then wake up to a hot, sunny race day.
Tim knows how to compensate.”
Bernstein is fifth in POWERade Top Fuel championship point standings
heading into the Columbus event.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday at 5:30
p.m. with a second session at 8 p.m. There are two qualifying
rounds Saturday, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. with final eliminations
scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.
PONTIAC PERFORMANCE NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – May 20 – ESPN2
10 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
Eliminations – May 21 – ESPN2
8 – 11 p.m. ET
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BERNSTEIN IS NO. 1 QUALIFIER AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY
COMMERCE, Ga. (May 7) – Brandon Bernstein
earned his ninth career No. 1 Budweiser Shootout low qualifying
award in a wild ride across the finish line in Friday night’s
qualifying session at the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals
at Atlanta Dragway.
“The car was going great, right down there, nice and smooth,
and right at the lights when I lifted, I felt a huge vibration,”
said Bernstein. “I had the ‘chute out and then I
was busy trying to keep the car off the wall and out of the
way of Hot Rod Fuller in the other lane.
“I got out of the car and looked back and the left rear
tire was gone. I was fine and we posted some great numbers –
4.521/328.06.
“Because we didn’t have time to assess all the damage
the chassis suffered from the vibration and the ride down the
track on the skid plate, we opted to switch to our new chassis.
The team worked into the morning hours to get it ready for Saturday’s
qualifying runs. With the new chassis, we ran low elapsed time
of the first round of Saturday qualifying. Tim (Richards, crew
chief), Kim (Richards) and the team did an awesome job.”
In the rain-delayed opening round of eliminations, Bernstein
and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team clocked a solid 4.528/330.63
to defeat Michael Gunderson’s competitive 4.684/321.12
effort.
"That was a good run for our team and I'm really pumped
up,” said a smiling Bernstein. “Conditions were
optimal.”
During the normal maintenance performed between rounds, however,
the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team made a discovery that they knew
spelled the end of the day.
“After the first run, during our service, we discovered
the lower frame rail underneath the motor was bent,” said
crew chief Tim Richards. “We knew we couldn’t make
the run under those conditions, but we decided to stage the
car just in case there would be a red light in the other lane.”
Indeed, spectators were perplexed to see both cars do normal
burnouts and stage. When the starting line Christmas tree lights
turned green, Morgan Lucas took the win light while Bernstein
never moved from the starting line where he was staged.
“It was a bummer to have that happen,” said Bernstein.
“Our guys worked so hard this weekend and once again,
a bolt out of the blue struck us down.”
Bernstein is fifth in NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings.
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BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM LOOKING TO CONTINUE TURN-AROUND
SEASON IN ATLANTA
COMMERCE, Ga. – Though Budweiser/Lucas
Oil pilot Brandon Bernstein has yet to drive to victory circle
at Atlanta Dragway, he has made performance marks at the track
where his legendary father was a two-time winner (1991, 1997).
The second generation driver is the current holder of the Atlanta
Dragway speed record of 329.34 mph set during competition last
year.
In his 2003 rookie year, Bernstein was the No. 1 qualifier at
the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals.
Bernstein, who scored his ninth career victory last month in
Houston, is enthusiastic about the turn-around the team has
experienced beginning with that event and is looking forward
to competing in Atlanta May 5-7.
“In 2003 and 2004, our Budweiser/Lucas Oil team came out
with guns blazing, winning races early in the season,”
said Bernstein. “Last year we scored our first victory
of the ’05 season in St. Louis, mid way through the year.
And that was a terrific victory in Budweiser’s backyard.
“The first few races this year we experienced some weird
mechanical gremlins in the first round of competition. We were
12th in POWERade point standings going into Houston, and then
with a victory there and semifinal finish in Las Vegas, we rocketed
up to fourth in Top Fuel standings.
“Tim (Richards, crew chief), Kim (Richards) and the team
have the car running really consistent numbers, and we’re
in a great position to challenge for the championship if we
can continue with this type of performance.
“There’s a lot of talent on this team, plus every
member has remained focused and positive even through the adverse
times. These attributes have contributed to our ability to turn
the season around.
“Ironically, Tim named our ’06 season ‘the
turn-it-around season’ before the first race. Maybe we
were just slow in starting, but we all hope we can continue.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying is scheduled for Friday,
May 5, at 4:30 p.m. with a second session at 7:30 p.m. There
are two scheduled nitro qualifying sessions Saturday, 12:30
p.m. and 3:30 p.m. with final eliminations slated to begin Sunday
at 11 a.m.
SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT SOUTHERN NATIONALS TELEVISION
ADVISORY
Qualifying – May 6 – ESPN2
9 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET
Eliminations – May 7 – ESPN2
7 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader
in the U.S. premium beer category, has extended its contract
with the Bernstein family through 2009. The 30-year partnership
eclipsed Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically
Treated Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major
team sponsorship in autosports history.
Kenny Bernstein was inducted into the Texas Motor Sports Hall
of Fame, Wed. April 5 at a gala at the Texas Motor Speedway.
Six-time NHRA world champion Bernstein and Indy-car designer
and team owner Jim Hall were chosen by a panel of motorsports
journalists across Texas as third year inductees into the Hall
of Fame. Bernstein was honored for his achievements in drag
racing and as an Indy Car and NASCAR team owner.
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BERNSTEIN LOOKING TO CONTINUE WITH CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE
DISPLAYED DURING HOUSTON VICTORY
BRISTOL, Tenn. – After a two-week break
on the NHRA schedule, second-generation driver Brandon Bernstein
is itching to get back into the cockpit of his 7000-horsepower
Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster for the O’Reilly Thunder
Valley Nationals April 28-30 at Bristol Dragway.
Bernstein, who won in Houston and made a semi-final appearance
at the last race in Las Vegas, vaulted from 12th to fourth in
POWERade point standings.
“The Houston race was awesome,” said Bernstein.
“We were running consistent numbers, we were low elapsed
time and top mile per hour of the event, plus low elapsed time
of each round.
“At the start of the season we had some weird mechanical
malfunctions that came at us totally out of the blue and sent
us out of competition early. We were out in the first round of
the first three races. That’s not like our team. We usually
come out with guns blazing.
“It would have been real easy to get down in the dumps,
but this team stayed focused, determined, and positive and it
all paid off in Houston.
“We knew we were capable of some strong performance, and
in Houston and Vegas we went rounds. Now we’re anxious to
get back into the groove!”
This year will mark Bernstein’s fourth appearance in Bristol
as the pilot of his father’s marquis race team. He was No.
1 qualifier last year at this event and he was the No. 1 qualifier
and won the event in his 2003 rookie season. Following his ’03
victory at Thunder Valley, he left with the point lead for the
first time in his career.
“Bristol is a beautiful facility,” said Bernstein.
“I love racing here.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying is scheduled for Friday,
April 28 at 5:30 p.m. with a second session at 8 p.m. There are
two qualifying rounds Saturday, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. with final
eliminations Sunday at noon.
O’REILLY THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying – April 29 – ESPN2
10 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
Eliminations – April 30 – ESPN2
7 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader
in the U.S. premium beer category, has extended its contract with
the Bernstein family through 2009. The 30-year partnership eclipsed
Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically Treated
Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major team
sponsorship in autosports history.
Kenny Bernstein was inducted into the Texas Motor Sports Hall
of Fame, Wed. April 5 at a gala at the Texas Motor Speedway. Six-time
NHRA world champion Bernstein and Indy-car designer and team owner
Jim Hall were chosen by a panel of motorsports journalists across
Texas as third year inductees into the Hall of Fame. Bernstein
was honored for his achievements in drag racing and as an Indy
Car and NASCAR team owner. |
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BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM’S CONSISTENCY CONTINUES
IN VEGAS; BERNSTEIN NOW FOURTH IN TOP FUEL POWERade POINTS
LAS VEGAS (April 9) – Brandon Bernstein
and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team followed their Houston victory
with a final four appearance at the SummitRacing.com Nationals
at “The Strip” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The consecutive strong showings helped boost the Kenny Bernstein-owned
team to fourth in NHRA Top Fuel POWERade championship point standings.
The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team, led by crew chief Tim Richards,
started from the No. 3 qualifying spot with a 4.534/330.23
Brandon Bernstein faced off against Bob Vandergriff, Jr. in the
opening round of eliminations. In a competitive side by side race,
Bernstein’s red dragster crossed the finish line first with
low elapsed time of the round, 4.535 seconds, at 328.14 mph to
defeat Vandergriff Jr.’s 4.601/326.32.
“I saw some of the cars before us smoke the tires,”
said Bernstein. “We need to go some rounds. Hopefully we
can have a good outing today and make up for time lost at the
first couple of races of the season.”
Bernstein put another 20 POWERade championship points in the
bank and took the quarterfinals victory out running Doug Herbert
with a 4.564/324.75 over Herbert's 4.681/311.49.
"We lost an engine in the lights," said Bernstein.
"We were lucky it happened at the end of the run."
The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team made an engine swap during the 75-minute
work window between the quarterfinals and the semifinals.
Bernstein rolled to the starting line for the third time Sunday,
this time facing David Grubnic. A big engine explosion early in
the run, followed by a blast of fire, killed all hope of a final
round appearance for the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team. Grubnic won
the round, 4.629/324.98 to Bernstein’s 9.799/69.79.
“We had a problem with a fuel line,” said Bernstein.
“All the raw fuel pumping out caused the fire. One of those
weird mechanical things again.
“When you figure we were 12th in point standings two weeks
ago, and we’re fourth leaving Las Vegas, we’ve had
a good couple of races. We’ve found some consistency and
we’re going rounds.”
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BERNSTEIN LOOKING TO REGAIN MAGIC OF PAST VICTORIES
AT 'THE STRIP'
LAS VEGAS - Brandon Bernstein and his legendary
father Kenny made NHRA history in 2001 at The Strip at Las Vegas
Motor Speedway when they became the first father/son duo to win
at the same national event. Brandon was piloting an alcohol dragster
that year.
In Kenny's three outings at the SummitRacing.com Nationals, he
won two: the inaugural event in 2000 and the aforementioned 2001
event.
This year will mark Brandon's fourth appearance in the April
7-9 spring event as the pilot of the nitro-powered Budweiser/Lucas
Oil dragster. He and the members of the Kenny Bernstein-owned
team, hope that Lady Luck drops by during Sunday’s eliminations.
"We've had a slow start this season," said Brandon. "We had some
crazy, unexpected parts breakage in the first rounds of the first
two events, so we need some of that Vegas luck that our family
has had in the past.
"We've had some good numbers in qualifying, but it seems on race
day, we’re blind-sighted by mechanical gremlins. We have
a very talented team and we're capable of winning. We are all
ready to go some rounds on Sunday.
"Dad did really well in Vegas during his career. Tim (Richards,
crew chief), Kim (Richards) and the team know how to tune our
Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster to run the table here. By that I
mean qualify No. 1, set low elapsed time, top speed, and win the
event. They've done it before. It would be a huge morale boost
for everyone, especially for all those on the team that have dedicated
so many hours and burned the midnight oil to help us get back
in the groove.
"Sometimes you just need a sprinkle of luck," concluded Brandon.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, April
7 at 3:30 p.m., followed by a second qualifying session at 6:30
p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 12:30 p.m. and
3:30 p.m. with final eliminations beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday.
SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying - April 8 - ESPN2
8 - 10 p.m. ET
Eliminations - April 9 - ESPN2
7 - 10 p.m. ET
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader in the U.S.
premium beer category, has extended its contract with the Bernstein
family through 2009. The 30-year partnership eclipses
Richard Petty's 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically Treated
Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major team
sponsorship in autosports history.
Kenny Bernstein will be inducted into the Texas Motor
Sports Hall of Fame, Wed. April 5 at a gala at the Texas Motor
Speedway. Six-time NHRA world champion Bernstein and
Indy-car designer and team owner Jim Hall were chosen by a panel
of motorsports journalists across Texas as third year inductees
into the Texas Motor Sports Hall of Fame. Bernstein, who grew
up in Lubbock, and lived in Dallas where he owned businesses for
many years, is being honored for his achievements specifically
in drag racing. Bernstein also owned Indy Car and NASCAR teams
in the late 1980s to the mid-1990s.
"It is a privilege to be chosen by a blue ribbon panel of Texas
media for such a great honor," said Bernstein. "Texas holds a
special place in my heart. I got my start in racing in the Dallas
area as a young adult, and in fact, some of the friends who helped
me get started in racing plan to be at the gala. It will be fun
to share the evening with those that helped launch my career.
"I owe a debt of gratitude to the media who bestowed this honor
upon me."
Past inductees into the Texas Motor Sports Hall of Fame include
A.J. Foyt, Johnny Rutherford, Terry Labonte and Lee Shepherd. |
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BERNSTEIN CELEBRATES NINTH CAREER VICTORY IN HOME STATE
BAYTOWN, Texas (April 2) – The Kenny Bernstein-owned
Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team turned their season around with
a victory at the NHRA O’Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston
Raceway Park. Following an uncustomary 12th place qualifying effort
(4.625/324.44), the team rocketed back in eliminations setting
event performance marks and low elapsed time of each round.
Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster driver Brandon Bernstein defeated
David Grubnic in the opening round of eliminations, collecting
the team’s first round win of the season in spectacular
fashion, setting low elapsed time of the race, 4.510 seconds,
at 328.38 mph vs. Grubnic's strong 4.553/328.14 showing.
“It’s a great feeling to win a round,” said
Bernstein. “Our team has worked hard and remained positive.
That was a real tribute to the talent of Tim (Richards, crew chief),
Kim (Richards), and the team.”
In the quarterfinals, Bernstein rolled to the line to face his
good friend Morgan Lucas, son of Lucas Oil sponsor, Forrest and
Charlotte. While Lucas struggled with a bout of lost traction
and tire smoke, Bernstein reeled in top speed of the meet with
a 332.10 mph run and another best elapsed time of the round, 4.544
seconds, to transfer to the semifinals.
“It’s tough to race Morgan,” explained Bernstein.
“We both have to put the fact that we’re friends out
of our minds. Throughout our career, each of us has won and each
of us has lost against the other. No matter who takes the win
light, we’ll always remain friends and congratulate each
other at the end of the track.”
Bernstein took low elapsed time and top speed of the meet into
the semifinals against Cory McClenathan. The Budweiser/Lucas Oil
team again scored low elapsed time of the round, 4.558/331.77,
while McClenathan overpowered the racetrack and spun the tires.
“I have two close friends in Top Fuel. One is Morgan and
the other is Cory,” said Bernstein. “It seems that
the competition ladders always have us racing Cory. We’ve
faced him more often than almost any other driver.”
In the finals against Melanie Troxel, the team was able to repeat
their consistent, quick performance, flashing across the finish
line with a 4.534/329.83 vs. Troxel’s very competitive 4.580/323.35.
“This has been an amazing weekend,” said Bernstein.
“We struggled in qualifying, but Tim, Kim, and the team
never gave up and were focused on race day.
“We have all kept a positive attitude through these last
couple of months. We knew this car was capable of winning.
“When we ran the 4.51 in the first round I knew Tim had
a handle on the racetrack. He didn’t change much all day.
He just wanted the car to repeat.
“After we won the semis, Tim said, ‘Just one more
(round). You keep doing the same thing you’re doing and
I’m going to keep doing the same thing I’m doing.’
“It’s definitely sweeter coming back to your home
state and performing well,” said the Texas A & M graduate
who grew up in Dallas. “With Dad getting inducted into the
Texas Motor Sports Hall of Fame Wednesday (April 5) in Dallas
it will be nice to know we’re going with a win in our pocket.”
This was Bernstein’s ninth career victory and his second
at Houston Raceway Park. The win vaulted him into sixth place
in NHRA Top Fuel POWERade point standings.
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BERNSTEIN LOOKING FOR GOOD SHOWING IN
HOME STATE
BAYTOWN, Texas – In his sophomore
year as pilot of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster, Brandon Bernstein
won his fifth career victory at Houston Raceway Park (April 2004).
When he competes March 31-April 2 in the NHRA O’Reilly
Spring Nationals, Bernstein hopes to bring home another victory
in his Texas home state.
Bernstein, who grew up in Dallas, always looks
forward to coming back to the Lone Star state to see family and
friends.
“Our team has had a slow start this season,”
explained Bernstein. “We’re looking to go some rounds
in Texas. No matter how strong we run in qualifying, we seem to
be having unforeseen problems on race day.
“This is a good team and we have all the
talent it takes to win a race. I have every confidence that we
will rally and get back in the winner’s circle soon. It
would be a big morale boost for everyone on the team who has been
pouring their hearts and souls into their jobs to do well in Texas.
“We’d love to be able to take a page
out of our 2004 season performance where we qualified No. 1 and
won the race. Now that was a good weekend.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins
Friday, March 31 at 4 p.m. with a second session at 7 p.m. There
are two qualifying runs Saturday, 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., with
final eliminations beginning Sunday at 11 a.m.
O’REILLY SPRING NATIONALS TELEVISION
ADVISORY
Qualfiying Highlights
Saturday, April 1, 2006
ESPN2
8 – 10 p.m. ET
Eliminations
Sunday, April 2, 2006
ESPN2
4 – 7 p.m. ET
Kenny Bernstein to be inducted into the
Texas Motor Sports Hall of Fame: Six-time NHRA world
champion Kenny Bernstein and Indy-car designer and team owner
Jim Hall will be inducted into the Texas Motor Sports Hall of
Fame, Wed., April 5 in a gala at the Texas Motor Speedway. Dallas
Morning News motorsports columnist Terry Blount will perform the
induction ceremonies for Bernstein. The two inductees were chosen
by a blue ribbon panel of motorsports journalists across Texas.
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader
in the U.S. premium beer category, has extended its contract with
the Bernstein family through 2009. The 30-year partnership
eclipses Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically
Treated Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major
team sponsorship in autosports history.
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BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL DRAGSTER VICTIM
OF TIRE SMOKE IN FLORIDA
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 19) – One
of Brandon Bernstein’s fond memories of his 2003 rookie
season was celebrating a victory at Gainesville Raceway. Brandon
was hoping to be able to notch another win this year at the ACDelco
Gatornationals, but his chances were squashed when he was unable
to recover from a loss of traction in the first round.
The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team qualified fifth with
a 4.559/326.91.
In Sunday’s opening round of competition,
Bernstein rolled to the starting line to face Melanie Troxel.
Bernstein was quickest out of the gate, but tire smoke set in
early in the run.
“I could see that Melanie was running strong,”
said Bernstein. “But you never know if a blower belt might
come off, or there might be some other mechanical problem, so
I got on and off the throttle twice, trying to get traction to
the ground. It just wouldn’t hook up.”
Bernstein remains 12th in NHRA POWERade Top Fuel
point standings.
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KENNY BERNSTEIN TO BE INDUCTED INTO TEXAS
MOTOR SPORTS HALL OF FAME
DALLAS (March 7) – National
Hot Rod Association legend and six-time champion Kenny Bernstein
along with Indy-car designer and team owner Jim Hall have been
named 2006 inductees into the Texas Motor Sports Hall of Fame.
Bernstein and Hall were chosen by a panel of 20 television, radio
and newspaper reporters across Texas, including Houston, Dallas,
Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Midland and Tyler.
Bernstein and Hall are third year inductees into
the prestigious Hall of Fame, and they will be honored at a gala
on April 5 at the Texas Motor Speedway Club and Grand Ballroom.
Dallas Morning News motorsports columnist Terry Blount will perform
the induction ceremonies for Bernstein.
Bernstein, who grew up in Lubbock, and lived in
Dallas where he owned businesses for many years, is being honored
for his achievements specifically in drag racing. Bernstein also
owned Indy Car and NASCAR teams in the late 1980s to the mid-1990s.
“It is a privilege to be chosen by a blue
ribbon panel of Texas media for such a great honor,” said
Bernstein. “Texas holds a special place in my heart. I got
my start in racing in the Dallas area as a young adult, and in
fact, some of the friends who helped me get started in racing
plan to be at the gala. It will be fun to share the evening with
those that helped launch my career.
“I owe a debt of gratitude to the media who
bestowed this honor upon me.”
It is an anticipated that the event will be attended
by as many as 1,000 people, ranging from Texas Motor Speedway
season ticket holders to those who support the inductees. Others
being recognized this year are NASCAR team owner Jack Roush as
Texas Motor Speedway Racer of the Year, Raymond Beadle as Burton
Smith Legends Award Winner and David Starr, Texas Motor Speedway
Sportsmanship Award Winner.
Past inductees into the Texas Motor Sports Hall
of Fame include A.J. Foyt, Johnny Rutherford, Terry Labonte and
Lee Shepherd.
Proceeds from the Texas Motor Sports Hall of Fame
event go to Happy Hill Farm, a residential school for at-risk
kids in Granbury, in association with Speedway Children’s
Charities.
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BRANDON BERNSTEIN LOOKING FOR SECOND VICTORY
AT TRACK WHERE FATHER MADE HISTORY
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gainesville
Raceway is one of the crown jewels of the National Hot Rod Association.
It holds fond memories for Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team owner
and six-time NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein who counts becoming
the first to surpass the 300 miles-per-hour barrier as his greatest
achievement. He accomplished this feat and drove into the history
books at Gainesville Raceway March 20, 1992, clocking a speed
of 301.70 mph. Bernstein scored four victories in six final round
appearances in his career behind the wheel of his Budweiser King
Funny Car and his Budweiser-sponsored Top Fuel dragster at the
Florida track.
Kenny’s son, Brandon, took over the driving
responsibilities in 2003 and continued the family tradition, winning
in Gainesville, his second victory in three starts.
The Bernstein family will be competing March 17-19
at the ACDelco Gatornationals.
“There’s no question this track has
a very special place in our hearts,” said Brandon. “We
have a great team with a lot of experience and we’re very
capable of doing well at this track as our record shows.”
Bizarre mechanical problems have struck the Budweiser/Lucas
Oil team in the opening round of the first two races of the 2006
NHRA season
“We hope to be able to turn this season around
and get back in the groove,” continued Brandon. “This
year we’ve done well in qualifying, especially in the rounds
on Saturday which should give you some indication about how you
might fare on Sunday. Then on Sunday the weirdest things happen.
In Pomona, it was a slide valve malfunction in
the fuel management system, and in Phoenix, it was a broken (brand
new!) oil pump. These problems make you lose sleep at night.
“It just seems to have hit our team all at
once. It’s time to get some rounds on the record books.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins
Friday, March 17 at 12:30 p.m. with a second session at 3:30 p.m.
There are two nitro qualifying rounds Saturday, 12:30 p.m. and
3:30 p.m., with final eliminations beginning Sunday at 11 a.m.
ACDELCO GATORNATIONALS
TELEVISION ADVISORY
March 19 – Eliminations – ESPN2
5-7 p.m. ET
Bernstein Pit Notes: Budweiser, the leader
in the U.S. premium beer category, has extended its contract with
the Bernstein family through 2009. The 30-year partnership
eclipses Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically
Treated Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major
team sponsorship in autosports history.
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MECHANICAL PROBLEMS STRIKE
BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM IN PHOENIX
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 26) – Mechanical
gremlins plagued the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team in the first round
of Checker Schuck’s Kragen Nationals competition, ending
the day for second generation driver Brandon Bernstein. Bernstein
went into this event looking forward to getting back in the groove
at the track where he and his father earned their respective first
Top Fuel victories.
Bernstein qualified fifth at Firebird International Raceway with
an elapsed time of 4.516 seconds at a speed of 328.94 miles per
hour.
“In our Saturday qualifying runs, we were able to clock
quicker elapsed times in each run,” said Bernstein. “Again,
we were very optimistic going into Sunday’s final eliminations.”
In the opening round against Hillary Will, Bernstein had a mechanical
malfunction and was unable to leave the starting line at full
power. He limped across the finish line with a 21.363/75.37 while
Will took the round win with a 4.531/328.78.
“We had oil pressure during the burnout,” said Bernstein,
“but when we backed up and got ready to stage, there was
no oil pressure. Tim (Richards, crew chief) made the decision
that we would stage anyway to cover our bases just in case Hillary
might red light or break. It was another heartbreaker.
“We had the car at this race to go some rounds. It’s
just uncanny that we keep getting beat by mechanical problems.
This team is very talented and we will rally.”
Bernstein is 12th in NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings following
two events.
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BERNSTEIN LOOKING TO CAPITALIZE ON PAST
SUCCESS AT FIREBIRD
CHANDLER, Ariz. – Budweiser/Lucas
Oil Top Fuel crew chief Tim Richards, well known as a superstitious
veteran tuner, has dubbed this season “The Turn-It-Around
Tour”. In addition to denoting winning more races, Richards
has turned the long sleek dragster the opposite way in the pits
and the Suburban tow vehicle also resides in an opposite position
from years past.
For his part, driver Brandon Bernstein is sporting
a new platinum hair color, bringing new energy and new attitude
to the ’06 season.
Bernstein, the crew, and team owner Kenny Bernstein
are looking to capitalize on past successes at the Checker Schuck’s
Kragen Nationals Feb. 24-26 at Firebird International Raceway.
Second generation driver Brandon Bernstein has won
two of the past three years at the Arizona track. Like his father,
six-time NHRA champion Kenny, Brandon celebrated his first career
Top Fuel victory at this track. Brandon won here in only his second
outing as a professional Top Fuel driver,
taking the trophy first in 2003 and again in 2004.
Kenny’s first Top Fuel victory was 1991, and he drove to
winner’s circle here again in 1996, the year of his fifth
NHRA World Championship. Kenny also was victorious in Arizona
during his Funny Car reign in 1986.
“We tested well at Firebird in January,”
said Brandon. “We were very enthusiastic to get the season
underway and then in the season-opener in Pomona, a fuel system
malfunction forced us out in the first round.
“There’s no question this season is
going to be even tougher than years past in terms of competition,
but we have the talent within this team to be right in the hunt.
Phoenix would be the place for us to ‘turn it around’
to paraphrase Tim.
“Gone are the days when it used to be just
the beer wars…our red car vs. the blue car. It’s all
out war in the category now and any of the qualified cars are
capable of winning. You just can’t stumble.
“Toward the end of last year we had a number
of races where we’d be low elapsed time of the round on
race day and we were looking pretty tough. Then the next round
we’d smoke the tires.
I’m working really hard on doing my part in
the cockpit on the driving side, and the team is working on consistency.
We are so close.
“We are fortunate to have a lot of camaraderie
among our team members and a real desire to win. We’re all
pulling together.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins
Friday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. with a second session at 6:30 p.m. There
are two qualifying runs Saturday, 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., with
final eliminations Sunday at 11 a.m.
Note: Budweiser, the leader in
the U.S. premium beer category, has extended its contract with
the Bernstein family through 2009. The 30-year partnership eclipses
Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically Treated
Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major team
sponsorship in autosports history.
CHECKER SCHUCK’S KRAGEN NATIONALS
TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying
Feb. 25 – ESPN2
8 – 10 p.m. ET
Eliminations
Feb. 26 – ESPN2
7 – 10 p.m. ET
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FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION FORCES BUDWEISER/LUCAS
OIL TEAM OUT IN POMONA
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 12) -- A disappointed
Budweiser/Lucas Oil team made an early exit from CarQuest Auto
Parts Winternationals competition at Auto Club Raceway. Following
two weeks of pre-season testing in which the team turned good
elapsed times, driver Brandon Bernstein, crew chief Tim Richards
and the members of the Kenny Bernstein-owned team had expectations
of a good season- opening race performance.
The team qualified No. 7 with a 4.526-second 329.83
mph effort.
“Our last qualifying pass before race day
was right in the hunt,” explained Brandon Bernstein. “It
was hot Sunday morning by first round, but we thought we had a
competitive tune-up.”
Bernstein and opponent David Baca had nearly identical
reaction times at the launch in the first round, Bernstein with
a .001-second advantage.
“By half track, David was in trouble, smoking
the tires, but then we started experiencing our own problems.
We blew the engine burst plate as the engine started to expire.
It seemed like the car just stopped. We were still leading the
way at the 1000-foot mark, but while we were struggling, David
was able to gain traction and drove around us right at the finish
line.
“It turned out we had a mechanical malfunction
in our fuel management system and that gremlin ruined our weekend.
“It’s not easy to shrug off a first
round defeat in the first race of a new season for which we had
high hopes. But on the positive side, we’re headed to Phoenix
where we’ve won two out of three years, so we’re looking
to get back in the groove.”
Bernstein is tied for eleventh place in NHRA POWERade
Top Fuel point standings.
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BERNSTEIN EXCITED TO GET ’06 SEASON
UNDERWAY
POMONA, Calif. – Second generation
driver Brandon Bernstein can’t wait for the season-opening
NHRA CarQuest Auto Parts Winternationals Feb. 9-12 at Auto Club
Raceway.
“I’m stoked,” said Bernstein.
“I cannot wait to get into the race car Thursday (Jan. 9)
and make that first pass down the quarter-mile. It was nice to
have some time off, but I’m definitely ready to get back
to competition.
“We believe we’ve made some headway
on some improvements in our combination during testing. Being
in the race car for two long weekends of testing has been great,
but there’s a different edge and adrenaline rush when qualifying
starts.
“Last year we didn’t have the success
we’ve had the two years prior and we’re looking to
get our groove back and be in the championship hunt. Tim (Richards,
crew chief), Kim (Richards) and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team have
put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into innovations through the
winter that look like they’re heading in the right direction
based on our testing results.
“We sure would like to perform well at Pomona.
That would give us a lot momentum.”
Bernstein was second quickest in the Las Vegas
test session Jan. 20-23 and had the best run of the opening day
of National Time Trials at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix,
Friday, Jan. 27.
The driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster
is sporting a new look for the ’06 season, a striking platinum
hair color.
“We’re just going to shake everything
up this year,” laughed Bernstein. “I don’t think
the hair will make the car run any faster, but it has given the
team new energy to come up with a lot of one-liners for me.”
Bernstein, who spent much of the off-season making
appearances for sponsors, won two events in 2005, St. Louis, where
many of the Budweiser executives were on-hand to help celebrate
the victory, and Seattle.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins
Thursday, Feb. 9 at 2:30 p.m. with a second session Friday at
2:30 p.m. There are two qualifying sessions Saturday, noon and
3 p.m. with final eliminations Sunday beginning at 11 a.m.
CARQUEST WINTERNATIONALS
Qualifying
Saturday, February 11 – ESPN2
10:00 p.m. – Midnight (ET)
Eliminations
Sunday, February 12 – ESPN2
7:30 – 10:30 p.m. (ET)
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BUDWEISER, KENNY BERNSTEIN RENEW LONGEST
CONSECUTIVE PARTNERSHIP IN MOTORSPORTS HISTORY
ST. LOUIS (January 25, 2006) –
Budweiser, the leader in the U.S. premium beer category, has extended
its contract with Kenny and Brandon Bernstein of the Budweiser
King Racing team through 2009. This 30-year partnership eclipses
Richard Petty’s 29-year sponsorship by Scientifically Treated
Petroleum (STP), to become the longest consecutive major team
sponsorship in motorsports history.
The relationship was originally sealed in 1980 with
the sponsorship of Kenny’s Funny Car, which became known
as the Budweiser King Funny Car. Anheuser-Busch then further capitalized
on the growing popularity of National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)
drag racing by establishing the Budweiser Shootout in 1982, a
special race-within-a-race bonus event that has grown into an
annual affair with a purse of more than $147,000. The Budweiser
Shootout awards the eight quickest Top Fuel drivers in the NHRA
POWERade Drag Racing Series and offers $5,000 to the No. 1 qualifier
in the Top Fuel racing series, in each of the 23 races.
“Kenny and Brandon have been outstanding
ambassadors for Budweiser and professional drag racing for more
than 25 years,” said Tony Ponturo, vice president, global
media and sports marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “Our longstanding
and successful history with the team, as well as our status as
the ‘Official Beer of the NHRA’ for more than 20 years,
has allowed us to reach a diverse range of adult racing fans,
and has been instrumental in establishing Budweiser as a leader
in all forms of motorsports.”
Kenny and Brandon Bernstein of the Budweiser King
Racing Team enjoyed individual successes throughout their careers,
but also made history as a duo in 2001 at “The Strip”
at Las Vegas Motor Speedway when they became the first father/son
duo in the NHRA’s 50-year history to win at the same event.
They repeated this feat at the Lucas Oil Products Nationals in
Chicago later that same year. Brandon finished seventh in the
2005 NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings, winning two events
– in St. Louis and Seattle – and capturing two No.
1 qualifying spots.
In 2003, Kenny passed the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster
keys to Brandon, who later went on to capture his first Top Fuel
National event trophy at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix,
Ariz., the same track where Kenny won his first Top Fuel event
in 1991.
“We are thrilled with this four-year extension,
and are proud of our unprecedented water mark for the longest
consecutive partnership in all of motorsports,” said Kenny
Bernstein. “Our 30-year tenure with Budweiser says a lot
for the sport of drag racing, and we are grateful for the contributions
they have made to our sport.”
The 30-year Budweiser-Bernstein partnership has
seen everything from fashioning the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster
with a paint scheme highlighting Anheuser-Busch’s commitment
to fresh beer, to it being featured in a popular Budweiser commercial
aboard the deck of the U.S.S. Saratoga off the Coast of Corpus
Christi, Texas. The Budweiser Clydesdales have made appearances
at Budweiser Shootout Fan Fests, and when Kenny announced his
retirement in 2001 Budweiser honored him with the “Forever
Red …A Run to Remember” farewell tour the following
year. This included featuring a specially-designed paint scheme
and commemorative logo on Kenny’s Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster
and providing uniforms and helmets adorned with the “Forever
Red …A Run to Remember” tagline. It was also supported
by a full line of retail and point-of-sale materials, and featured
in a wide variety of media advertising.
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading
American brewer holding 50 percent of the U.S. beer market. The
company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser
and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also holds a 50 percent share in
Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27 percent
share in Tsingtao, the No. 1 brewer in China. The company is one
of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a
major manufacturer of aluminum cans and is America’s top
recycler of aluminum cans. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.
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BUDWEISER KING RACING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
RELATIONS, SUSIE ARNOLD,
RECEIVES THE HONORABLE JIM CHAPMAN AWARD AT AARWBA BANQUET
INDIANAPOLIS, IN. (Dec. 5) –
At the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcaster Associations
annual All-American Team dinner Sat., Dec 3 at the Hyatt Hotel,
Susie Arnold, Director of Public Relations for Kenny Bernstein’s
Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team, received the Jim Chapman Award
for her outstanding achievement in motorsports public relations.
It is named in memory of Chapman, the late legendary PR executive,
who was Babe Ruth’s PR representative and director of racing
for CART series sponsor PPG Industries. Arnold is the first recipient
from drag racing and was chosen by a blue-ribbon committee of
journalists, all of whom knew Chapman. The plaque was presented
by AARWBA 50th Anniversary Celebration Chairman Michael Knight
and Associated Press’ motorsports writer Mike Harris, both
close friends of Chapman.
"I am thrilled and honored to be named the
recipient of this award,” said Arnold. “I am pleased
for the recognition for the sport of drag racing and I owe a debt
of gratitude to Kenny Bernstein for providing the tools and all
the newsworthy accomplishments in drag racing, NASCAR and at the
Indy 500. Thanks to AARWBA and all the media I've had the pleasure
of working with these past several years. And a special thanks
to Michael Knight and Mike Harris for the presentation.”
“We are very proud and thrilled beyond words
for Susie,” said six-time NHRA champion Bernstein. “What
a great honor; she is the epitome of excellence in the Public
Relations arena and has represented the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top
Fuel team and the sport of NHRA Drag Racing incredibly over the
years. Her level of professionalism, care, and devotion makes
her an invaluable part of our Bud King family. Thank you, Susie!”
Other previous winners were: Tom Blattler, 1992;
Deke Houlgate and Hank Ives, 1993-1994; Kathi Lauterbach, 1995;
Marc Spiegel, 1996; Mike Zizzo, 1997; Tamy Valkosky, 1998; Doug
Stokes, 2004.
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| Jim Chapman PR Award winner Susan
Arnold with AARWBA 50th Anniversary Celebration Chairman
Michael Knight (left) and AP motorsports writer Mike Harris
(right) at Saturday night's AARWBA All-America Team dinner
in Indianapolis. Knight and Harris presented the Chapman
Award,for outstanding achievement in motorsports PR, to
Susie. |
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Susie with Mike Harris. |
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