BRANDON BERNSTEIN RETURNS TO TOP FUEL POINT LEAD; WINS THIRD RACE OF THE SEASON

TOPEKA , Kan. (June 3) – Brandon Bernstein and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team resumed their red-hot assault on the NHRA Top Fuel field at the O’Reilly Summernationals, winning their third race of the season.

Bernstein made his 20th career final round appearance and the Kenny Bernstein-owned team tallied their 15th victory with the second generation driver. It was Brandon ’s second victory at Heartland Park Topeka.

Bernstein qualified sixth in the Top Fuel field with a 4.591-second elapsed time at 317.72 mph.

Budweiser/Lucas Oil crew chief Tim Richards made a strong race day opening round statement, tuning Bernstein to a 4.578-second elapsed time at 323.19 mph to defeat Hillary Wills’ 4.775/308.21.

The second round saw a first-time career match between Bernstein and Whit Bazemore, the 42nd different opponent Bernstein has faced in his career. The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team made another consistent run, 4.555/319.07 to outdistance Bazemore’s 4.860/258.81.

"Tim keeps whittling away at the elapsed times,” said Bernstein. “We hope we can keep the trend going for two more rounds.”

And Richards did keep the consistency rolling in the semifinal round against Tony Schumacher. Though it was a very close race, Bernstein tripped the clocks first with half a car length victory, 4.566/319.52 to Schumacher’s 4.589/324.20.

That set the stage for the final round “best friend” duel between Bernstein and J.R. Todd. Bernstein’s trophy round numbers were 4.582 seconds at 320.51 mph to Todd’s 4.667/299.86.

“Tim was in the zone today,” said Bernstein. “He stepped up the tune-up when we needed to and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster just flew. It was an awesome day!

“It’s very special, and a little emotional, to race J.R. I just tried to concentrate on cutting a good light, keeping the car straight, and hoping the win light would come on. We both wanted to win, but at the end of the day we’re two buddies drag racing and having fun.

“We have a pretty stout final round record (15-5) and that just shows when this team gets to the finals, we’re tough to beat. Tim makes the right calls and pours it all on the line. Having Tim, Kim (Richards) and the team behind me, gives me extra confidence going into the final.

“It’s good to be on a roll and to have regained the point lead. It’s a long season with a lot of good racing yet to come. It will be important to be consistent at the end of the year, but right now we’re going to enjoy the success we’re having.”

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