PETE BERNER – “THE WEATHER WILL MAKE MARTIN REALLY FAST OR REALLY TOUGH

MARTIN, Mich. – Current IHRA Torco’s CompetitionPlus Pro Stock world champion Pete Berner says the key to this weekend’s IHRA Northern Nationals at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park is in getting on the good side of Mother Nature. The favorable nod will come from understanding how to work with the conditions.

Weekend forecasts call for temperatures in the low-90s and that should make it a tough proposition for the sport’s leading tuners.

“Depending on the weather, it could be really good or really tough,” Berner said. “You either get really hot and humid and the air could be a mineshaft. The one thing that is constant is the Knoll Gas Motorsports Park is one of the best race tracks on the tour.

“It’s the closest IHRA track to my home and the people who run it – Jason Peterson and his team are the greatest to work with. We test out here a lot and they are very accommodating. It’s a smooth track and can be very fast.”

Berner held the points lead briefly before surrendering to Robert Patrick two weeks ago after a first round loss in Grand Bend, Ontario.

“We just need to get on our game plan and go back to doing what we know how to do and that is running fast. We’re never really fast until we hit the mid-point in a season. It’s time to get this little slump behind us. We are further ahead this time in the points than we were at this time last.

“I only look at our deal at Grand Bend as a missed opportunity.”

So what will Berner do when he gets to Martin? It’s simple. He’s going for it.

“I’m going to be aggressive because this is one of my favorite tracks,” Berner said.