BRANDON BERNSTEIN TO DEBUT ELVIS COMMEMORATIVE PAINT SCHEME AT MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS

CLERMONT, Ind. – Having secured a position in the Countdown to Eight, Brandon Bernstein and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team now begin their quest for a berth in the Countdown to 4. The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals is the first of four races that will name the four drivers who will battle for the coveted championship trophy.

Bernstein, who missed the last event in Reading , Pa. due to emergency kidney stone surgery, will start in Indy from the fourth position, 30 points out of the lead as points are reset for the Countdown.

“Had this kidney stone problem arisen after I had made one qualifying attempt in Reading ,we would have remained second in the points and there would only have been 10 points difference beginning in Indy,” explained Bernstein. “Rit Pustari jumped in and qualified the car in Reading and then competed on race day. Because points stay with the driver, not the team, we didn’t earn any points at Reading . That being said, if this kidney stone problem had to happen, at least we were better off dealing with the issue at Reading . We were guaranteed a spot in the Countdown to Eight. If it had happened in Indy, the first race of the Countdown to 4, it would have been far more serious in the championship overview.”

Bernstein will debut a commemorative Elvis paint scheme on the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals to celebrate the 30th Anniversary Elvis Week.

Earlier this month, Bernstein joined Budweiser Racing stable mate Dale Earnhardt, Jr. on the lawn of Elvis’ Graceland mansion in Memphis , where they hosted the first night of the “Music & Movies” series.

“I have become a big fan of the ‘King’ this year,” said Bernstein. “I was at Graceland in April for the Elvis Harley Ride and again a couple of weeks ago. I have a lot of respect for Elvis’ accomplishments, showmanship, and talent.

“We’re going to throw a little Elvis style into our fire suit for the Indy event, and of course we couldn’t call the ensemble complete without some special Oakley “blue suede” driving shoes! We expect to unveil the car on Friday afternoon at O’Reilly Raceway Park.

“If you’re an Elvis fan and you’re coming to Indy, you’ll have to come by the pit area and take some photos. If you’re not coming to Indy, check our website. We’ll have some photos for you to check out.”

“Tim (Richards, crew chief), Kim (Richards) and the team really have our car performing this year. I’m excited about our chances,” concluded Bernstein.

To date this year, the Kenny Bernstein-owned team has won five events: Las Vegas , Atlanta , Bristol , Tenn. , Topeka , Kan. , and Brainerd , Minn. They were runner-up at the season-opener in Pomona , Calif. , and Seattle . Five event wins is a career season-best for Bernstein. Bernstein has a total of 17 career wins since his rookie debut in 2003.

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals begins Friday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds scheduled Saturday, 2:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ; two qualifying rounds Sunday, 12:45 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. , with eliminations beginning Monday at 11 a.m.

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