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LAS VEGAS – As the POWERade championship races head down the homestretch, they will certainly go down in history as some of the most stirring battles NHRA has ever known.
With two grueling national events left before the champions are crowned, Brandon Bernstein and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team are heading into the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals in second place in the Top Fuel category, 83 points out of the lead, with the third place team less than a round (6 points) behind.
“Bob Frey (NHRA announcer) always says you have to bring your ‘A game’, and he’s right on,” said Bernstein. “We’ve got a shot at the championship, and we have a tenacious team. We’re going to try to grab hold and make that big leap. But while we’re looking ahead of us, we need to be watching behind us, because third place is breathing up our exhaust.
“We have to go rounds in Las Vegas and we have to go more rounds than the leader and the third place contender. That’s a tall order and a lot of pressure for me and for the team. Tim (Richards, crew chief) and Kim (Richards) have weathered this kind of pressure before. This is a new challenge for me. Dad is trying to help me adjust my mindset by approaching each round individually. No big championship picture. Just micro thoughts round to round.
“In addition to the national event in Vegas, we have the Budweiser Shootout on Saturday. We’d sure love to double down in Vegas – win the Shootout and the race. Budweiser’s celebrating their 25th anniversary of the Shootout specialty races they’ve sponsored through the years.”
Bernstein’s best Budweiser Shootout finish was his first when he finished runner-up. It was the 2002 Budweiser Shootout in Pomona , Calif. , which was rained out and postponed to February 2003.
Because his father retired in 2002, Brandon took his father’s spot in the rescheduled event which was run in conjunction with the 2003 season-opener in Pomona .
“In addition to running two big events in Vegas, we’ve also named New York -New York Hotel & Casino as our team’s official Las Vegas hotel,” said Bernstein. “We’re excited to have them onboard. As a part of that agreement, we will be signing autographs at ESPN Zone inside New York - New York Friday evening, Oct. 27, from 9:30 – 10:30 p.m. We’ll be running the New York - New York logo on our Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster as well. There will be an enter to win contest at the autograph signing where two tickets will be awarded to the Budweiser/Lucas Oil pitside hospitality area. That’s a very special opportunity for someone to win.
“On Wed., Oct. 25, we’ll be playing in a charity poker tournament at the Cannery. There will be a lot going on in Las Vegas . We are excited to get started.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Oct. 27 at 3:30 p.m. with a second session at 6 p.m. Budweiser Top Fuel Shootout introductions begin at noon , with the first round of the specialty event kicking off at 12:30 p.m. The second round of the Bud Shootout is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. with the finals at 5 p.m. ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m.
Kenny and Brandon Bernstein to sign autographs at ESPN Zone in Las Vegas . Bernstein Team names New York - New York as their official hotel. Race fans will have an opportunity to meet six-time National Hot Rod Association champion Kenny Bernstein and his son Brandon, Friday, Oct. 27 from 9:30 – 10:30 p.m. at the ESPN Zone located on the Las Vegas Strip inside New York -New York Hotel & Casino. Fans that stop by for an autograph will have a chance to enter to win two VIP tickets to Sunday’s (Oct. 29) Budweiser pitside hospitality area for the ACDelco Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway .
Kenny Bernstein, who retired at the end of the 2002 season, but drove the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster for a portion of 2003 while his son Brandon was recovering from racing injuries, has announced his comeback in 2007. Bernstein will return to full-time competition as pilot of the Monster Energy Funny Car. He will campaign a Dodge Charger by Mopar.
Brandon, who is battling for the Top Fuel championship this season, earned NHRA Rookie of the Year honors in 2003, and has had the most successful career launch of any other Top Fuel or Funny Car driver in NHRA history.
“We are happy to announce New York - New York as our official Las Vegas hotel,” said Kenny.
“We invite fans who may be planning to attend the ACDelco Nationals and the Budweiser Shootout to book their rooms at New York - New York and join us at ESPN Zone Friday night. Someone will win the opportunity to hang with our team on Sunday at the track.
“Our team enjoys the restaurants, the shows, and of course ‘The Roller Coaster’ in the Big Apple of Las Vegas.
“Look for the New York - New York logo on our Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster over the weekend.”
Inspired by the famous energy and landmarks of New York City , New York -New York Hotel & Casino features 12 New York-style skyscrapers showcasing 2,023 guest rooms and suites. Other featured Big Apple icons include an 84,000-square-foot, Central Park-themed casino; a 150-foot-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty; and a 300-foot-long replica of the Brooklyn Bridge . Within the resort are award-winning restaurants including Gallagher's Steakhouse, Il Fornaio and Nine Fine Irishmen, an authentic pub offering the best of Irish drink, food and music. New York - New York offers extraordinary entertainment including the provocative and sensuous Cirque du Soleil production, Zumanity, a thrilling roller coaster and ESPN Zone, a sports-themed dining and entertainment complex. New York - New York is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM MIRAGE™. For more information and reservations, visit the web site at www.nynyhotelcasino.com
BERNSTEIN HOPES TO DOUBLE DOWN IN LAS VEGAS DOUBLE HEADER
LAS VEGAS – As the POWERade championship races head down the homestretch, they will certainly go down in history as some of the most stirring battles NHRA has ever known.
With two grueling national events left before the champions are crowned, Brandon Bernstein and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team are heading into the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals in second place in the Top Fuel category, 83 points out of the lead, with the third place team less than a round (6 points) behind.
“Bob Frey (NHRA announcer) always says you have to bring your ‘A game’, and he’s right on,” said Bernstein. “We’ve got a shot at the championship, and we have a tenacious team. We’re going to try to grab hold and make that big leap. But while we’re looking ahead of us, we need to be watching behind us, because third place is breathing up our exhaust.
“We have to go rounds in Las Vegas and we have to go more rounds than the leader and the third place contender. That’s a tall order and a lot of pressure for me and for the team. Tim (Richards, crew chief) and Kim (Richards) have weathered this kind of pressure before. This is a new challenge for me. Dad is trying to help me adjust my mindset by approaching each round individually. No big championship picture. Just micro thoughts round to round.
“In addition to the national event in Vegas, we have the Budweiser Shootout on Saturday. We’d sure love to double down in Vegas – win the Shootout and the race. Budweiser’s celebrating their 25th anniversary of the Shootout specialty races they’ve sponsored through the years.”
Bernstein’s best Budweiser Shootout finish was his first when he finished runner-up. It was the 2002 Budweiser Shootout in Pomona , Calif. , which was rained out and postponed to February 2003.
Because his father retired in 2002, Brandon took his father’s spot in the rescheduled event which was run in conjunction with the 2003 season-opener in Pomona .
“In addition to running two big events in Vegas, we’ve also named New York -New York Hotel & Casino as our team’s official Las Vegas hotel,” said Bernstein. “We’re excited to have them onboard. As a part of that agreement, we will be signing autographs at ESPN Zone inside New York - New York Friday evening, Oct. 27, from 9:30 – 10:30 p.m. We’ll be running the New York - New York logo on our Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster as well. There will be an enter to win contest at the autograph signing where two tickets will be awarded to the Budweiser/Lucas Oil pitside hospitality area. That’s a very special opportunity for someone to win.
“On Wed., Oct. 25, we’ll be playing in a charity poker tournament at the Cannery. There will be a lot going on in Las Vegas . We are excited to get started.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Oct. 27 at 3:30 p.m. with a second session at 6 p.m. Budweiser Top Fuel Shootout introductions begin at noon , with the first round of the specialty event kicking off at 12:30 p.m. The second round of the Bud Shootout is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. with the finals at 5 p.m. ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m.
ACDELCO LAS VEGAS NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Budweiser Shootout – Oct. 28 – ESPN2
10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. ET
Qualifying – Oct. 28 – ESPN2
10:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
Eliminations – Oct. 29 – ESPN2
8 – 11 p.m. ET
Budweiser Shootout – Oct. 28 – ESPN2
10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. ET
Qualifying – Oct. 28 – ESPN2
10:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
Eliminations – Oct. 29 – ESPN2
8 – 11 p.m. ET
Kenny and Brandon Bernstein to sign autographs at ESPN Zone in Las Vegas . Bernstein Team names New York - New York as their official hotel. Race fans will have an opportunity to meet six-time National Hot Rod Association champion Kenny Bernstein and his son Brandon, Friday, Oct. 27 from 9:30 – 10:30 p.m. at the ESPN Zone located on the Las Vegas Strip inside New York -New York Hotel & Casino. Fans that stop by for an autograph will have a chance to enter to win two VIP tickets to Sunday’s (Oct. 29) Budweiser pitside hospitality area for the ACDelco Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway .
Kenny Bernstein, who retired at the end of the 2002 season, but drove the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster for a portion of 2003 while his son Brandon was recovering from racing injuries, has announced his comeback in 2007. Bernstein will return to full-time competition as pilot of the Monster Energy Funny Car. He will campaign a Dodge Charger by Mopar.
Brandon, who is battling for the Top Fuel championship this season, earned NHRA Rookie of the Year honors in 2003, and has had the most successful career launch of any other Top Fuel or Funny Car driver in NHRA history.
“We are happy to announce New York - New York as our official Las Vegas hotel,” said Kenny.
“We invite fans who may be planning to attend the ACDelco Nationals and the Budweiser Shootout to book their rooms at New York - New York and join us at ESPN Zone Friday night. Someone will win the opportunity to hang with our team on Sunday at the track.
“Our team enjoys the restaurants, the shows, and of course ‘The Roller Coaster’ in the Big Apple of Las Vegas.
“Look for the New York - New York logo on our Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster over the weekend.”
Inspired by the famous energy and landmarks of New York City , New York -New York Hotel & Casino features 12 New York-style skyscrapers showcasing 2,023 guest rooms and suites. Other featured Big Apple icons include an 84,000-square-foot, Central Park-themed casino; a 150-foot-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty; and a 300-foot-long replica of the Brooklyn Bridge . Within the resort are award-winning restaurants including Gallagher's Steakhouse, Il Fornaio and Nine Fine Irishmen, an authentic pub offering the best of Irish drink, food and music. New York - New York offers extraordinary entertainment including the provocative and sensuous Cirque du Soleil production, Zumanity, a thrilling roller coaster and ESPN Zone, a sports-themed dining and entertainment complex. New York - New York is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM MIRAGE™. For more information and reservations, visit the web site at www.nynyhotelcasino.com
