BRANDON BERNSTEIN REACHES SECOND FINAL IN TWO WEEKS AT SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NATIONALS
NORWALK, Ohio (June 29) -- Brandon Bernstein drove the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster to the finals at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals, his second final round in two weeks. At the halfway mark of the season, and only six races before the field of drivers in each pro category is reduced to 10 who advance to the playoffs, the Kenny Bernstein-owned team has tallied three runner-up finishes. With Sunday’s final round appearance at Summit Motorsports Park , the second generation driver advanced to sixth in NHRA Top Fuel point standings and is presently comfortably seeded in the group that will be eligible for the 2008 world championship.
Bernstein qualified third with a 4.640-second elapsed time, and with the category’s top speed, 315.86 mph.
In the opening round of eliminations, Bernstein and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil crew took a decisive victory over Luigi Novelli, 4.688/304.39 to Novelli’s 5.162/214.28.
“The car was on a great run but we started to spin the tires about the 1000-foot mark,” said Bernstein. “I got close to the center line, but I didn’t want to make a big move to jerk the car back. We probably lost a little elapsed time on that run, but a round win is good.”
In the second round, Bernstein rolled to the starting line to face Antron Brown. Bernstein never trailed and led wire to wire. The Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster streaked across the finish line with a 4.650/307.72 while Brown struggled with an ailing engine, 4.861/274.16.
“That’s a great team,” said Bernstein. “Antron is tough on the lights, and you have to be up for him, but our Budweiser/Lucas Oil team needed that win. We need to keep racking up rounds and points.”
In the semifinals, opponent Cory McClenathan left before the Christmas tree was activated, signaling a foul start. Bernstein automatically got the win, running a competitive 4.654/300.93.
“I didn’t see Cory’s red light and I thought I was dead late,” said Bernstein. “Cory is a friend and a good competitor. I’m just glad I wasn’t late like I thought I was. Another round win! Kudos to Tim (Richards, crew chief) and Kim (Richards) and the team. We’re going to the finals!”
In the money round, it was Bernstein vs. Doug Herbert. It was a close race with Herbert crossing the finish line first.
“As much as we wanted to win the event, we know Doug has dedicated his season to his two sons who were fatally injured in an automobile accident earlier this year. It was an emotional win for him. He also had his daughter with him. We have a lot of compassion for him as well as the Kalitta family. Our racing fraternity is all about families. Doug lost his sons, and we just lost Scott Kalitta.
“In the big picture, it’s about families. Our team will have another day.”
Notable: The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team leads the season’s Full Throttle Pit Crew Championship for excellence and consistency in qualifying.
