[coverattach=1]GAINESVILLE , Fla. (March 15) – Brandon Bernstein and the Kenny Bernstein-owned Budweiser/Lucas Oil team made another solid performance at the ACDelco Gatornationals, finishing in the final four for the second time in three races. With a runner-up finish also in the books this season, the team maintains second place in NHRA point standings only 20 points, or one round, out of the lead.
Bernstein was the No. 4 qualifier with a 3.922/312.64.
In the opening round of eliminations against Urs Erbacher, the Bud/Lucas Oil dragster edged toward the centerline and Bernstein had to make a strong correcting steering maneuver to coax the car back to take the round win with a 3.903/313.88 vs. Erbacher ' s 4.104/291.38.
"The car just drifted over toward the centerline and stayed there,” said Bernstein. “We had to steer it back, but we got the win light.”
In the second round of eliminations, opponent Shawn Langdon smoked the tires while Bernstein went straight and fast to win the round, 3.935 seconds at 315.42 mph, for top speed of the event, once again proving that Bernstein and Gainesville Raceway are synonymous with speed. It was at this track in 1992 that Kenny Bernstein became the first to surpass the 300 mile-per-hour barrier.
"Rob (Flynn, crew chief) and the team have the car running really quick, fast and consistent,” said Bernstein. “We ' ve just got to keep it going. Our Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster went straight as an arrow and didn ' t move around like it did in the first round."
Bernstein transferred to the semifinals to face Larry Dixon. Bernstein lost traction early in the run and Dixon followed suit further down track but crossed the finish line first with a 4.091/260.71 vs. Bernstein ' s 5.546/128.49.
“The sun had been shining on the track and it was a little warmer,” explained Bernstein. “We knew we had to run a good number, but we probably had a little too much power for the conditions.
“We’re three races into the season and we’ve shown a lot of consistency. We’re very pleased to be sitting high in the point standings, and we’re a contender at every event.”
Bernstein was the No. 4 qualifier with a 3.922/312.64.
In the opening round of eliminations against Urs Erbacher, the Bud/Lucas Oil dragster edged toward the centerline and Bernstein had to make a strong correcting steering maneuver to coax the car back to take the round win with a 3.903/313.88 vs. Erbacher ' s 4.104/291.38.
"The car just drifted over toward the centerline and stayed there,” said Bernstein. “We had to steer it back, but we got the win light.”
In the second round of eliminations, opponent Shawn Langdon smoked the tires while Bernstein went straight and fast to win the round, 3.935 seconds at 315.42 mph, for top speed of the event, once again proving that Bernstein and Gainesville Raceway are synonymous with speed. It was at this track in 1992 that Kenny Bernstein became the first to surpass the 300 mile-per-hour barrier.
"Rob (Flynn, crew chief) and the team have the car running really quick, fast and consistent,” said Bernstein. “We ' ve just got to keep it going. Our Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster went straight as an arrow and didn ' t move around like it did in the first round."
Bernstein transferred to the semifinals to face Larry Dixon. Bernstein lost traction early in the run and Dixon followed suit further down track but crossed the finish line first with a 4.091/260.71 vs. Bernstein ' s 5.546/128.49.
“The sun had been shining on the track and it was a little warmer,” explained Bernstein. “We knew we had to run a good number, but we probably had a little too much power for the conditions.
“We’re three races into the season and we’ve shown a lot of consistency. We’re very pleased to be sitting high in the point standings, and we’re a contender at every event.”
