BERNER IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT HEADED INTO SUNDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP-DECIDING ELIMINATIONS

ROCKINGHAM, NC – Pete Berner will be the first to admit that he was speaking confidently earlier in the season when he pointed out the championship battle in the IHRA Torco Race Fuels Pro Stock division would come down to the wire. The Crete, Illinois-based driver never thought his prophetic words would be as accurate as they have proven to be.

Berner tied Brian Gahm’s three week old world record when he landed atop the qualifying perch during the final qualifying session with a 6.281 elapsed time at the IHRA World Finals hosted by Rockingham Dragway in Rockingham, NC. Just .001 prevented Berner from capturing an extra 20 points that are awarded to any driver that leaves an event with a new performance standard.

Berner’s 6.317 from Saturday’s first session would have satisfied the required one-percent back-up.

Berner could have used the extra points as he leads Robert Patrick by ten points headed into Sunday’s final eliminations.

“We knew the conditions were there and this run was pretty much in line with what we felt the track would hold,” Berner said. “Hopefully we will do well. I can’t say enough about my team. If we can back up the record, that will be good for us. It will come down to the wire.”