KENNY BERNSTEIN HOPES TO STRENGTHEN MONSTER ENERGY/LUCAS OIL FUNNY CAR TEAM WITH NEW CREW CHIEF

GAINESVILLE , Fla. – Six-time champion Kenny Bernstein, who staged a driving comeback this year driving the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car, has a new crew chief for the ACDelco Gatornationals March 16-18.

“We are very excited about the addition of Jimmy Walsh as crew chief of our team,” said Bernstein. “Jimmy scored three victories last year and won the season-opening race at Pomona , Calif. this year tuning a Top Fuel car. Jimmy has a long-term friendship and professional association with our Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel crew chief and assistant crew chief, Tim and Kim Richards.

“Tim and Kim, who were instrumental in helping us obtain Jimmy, will assist him in tuning the Funny Car, and I think the end result will benefit both teams. There will be a lot of information sharing.”

Bernstein, who has 69 national event wins to his credit and who is the only driver to have won at Gainesville in both Top Fuel and Funny Car, was disappointed in his first two outings this season.

“We needed to turn this team around for our fans and our sponsors,” said Bernstein, “and I think we have the package now that will make us a real contender in the competitive Funny Car category.”

And there couldn’t be a better facility for Bernstein to get in the groove. Fifteen years ago, March 20, 1992 to be exact, Bernstein became the first NHRA driver to surpass the 300 miles-per-hour barrier when he clocked 301.70 mph during a Friday qualifying session at Gainesville Raceway.

“This is one of NHRA’s premier events,” said Bernstein, “and it’s a track that holds the most special memory of our career.”

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, March 16 at 1 p.m. , followed by a second session at 3:30 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.

Bernstein to be inducted into Don Garlits International Drag Racing Hall of Fame: On Thursday, March 15, Kenny Bernstein will be inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Paramount Plaza Hotel in Gainesville.

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