[coverattach=1]MADISON, Ill. (May 3) – The Kenny Bernstein-owned Budweiser/Lucas Oil team kept the season’s momentum rolling, scoring their third runner-up finish in seven NHRA national events. At the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals driver Brandon Bernstein, who showed his driving skills by having the quickest reaction time against all four of his race day opponents, scored round wins against steep competition before a close final round loss to Antron Brown.
“We were so pumped up coming into this race,” said Brandon . “In the moments after the final round we were very disappointed not to have gotten a win for Budweiser here in their backyard to cap our 30th anniversary. But you have to stand back and take a look at the big picture. Three final rounds in seven races is something we can be very proud of as a tea m. ”
The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team qualified ninth at Gateway International Raceway with a 3.944/297.02.
In the first round of eliminations, the Bud/Lucas Oil team bettered their qualifying numbers to win wire to wire in a close match with Clay Millican, 3.900/302.82 vs. 3.919/306.74.
“Rob (Flynn, crew chief) and Mike (Guger, assistant crew chief) made a lot of changes between the end of qualifying and race day. During qualifying we were getting some tire spin down track, so they were making adjustments to compensate for that. We thought we were making the right moves, but we really had to be ready for anything,” said Bernstein. “As it turned out the tune-up was just what the doctor ordered and it got us a round win.”
In the quarterfinals, Bernstein prepared to face off against Morgan Lucas. The two friends suited up, walked to each other and pumped fists before getting buckled into their respective 8,000-horsepower machines.
Bernstein rolled off another consistent 3.905-second elapsed time at 305.22 mph, while Lucas battled traction problems, clocking 4.511/202.18.
“Morgan and I have raced each other on a number of occasions,” explained Bernstein, “so when we get to the starting line, we just focus on our lane and our jobs. It’s tough because only one of us is going forward.
“His family sponsors our team so we will carry the Lucas Oil banner into the semis.”
In the semis, it was Bernstein vs. Spencer Massey. Bernstein’s run was quick and trouble free and he sprinted across the finish line with a winning 3.863/313.51, while Massey lost traction at the hit of the throttle on the starting line.
“Our goal coming into the weekend was to get to the finals in St. Louis ,” said Bernstein.
“Now we need to seal the deal.”
In the money round against Antron Brown, Bernstein was quicker off the starting line, but Brown edged the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster for the trophy (Brown: 3.850/318.02 vs. Bernstein: 3.888/310.27).
“Sometimes I just wonder what it’s going to take to win,” lamented Bernstein. “We had a great car all day long, and we really thought today was going to be the day. We had some of our friends from Budweiser at the track with us and the Bud was on ice.”
Bernstein continues to reside in third place in NHRA Full Throttle standings, 44 points out of the lead and 26 out of second place.
“We were so pumped up coming into this race,” said Brandon . “In the moments after the final round we were very disappointed not to have gotten a win for Budweiser here in their backyard to cap our 30th anniversary. But you have to stand back and take a look at the big picture. Three final rounds in seven races is something we can be very proud of as a tea m. ”
The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team qualified ninth at Gateway International Raceway with a 3.944/297.02.
In the first round of eliminations, the Bud/Lucas Oil team bettered their qualifying numbers to win wire to wire in a close match with Clay Millican, 3.900/302.82 vs. 3.919/306.74.
“Rob (Flynn, crew chief) and Mike (Guger, assistant crew chief) made a lot of changes between the end of qualifying and race day. During qualifying we were getting some tire spin down track, so they were making adjustments to compensate for that. We thought we were making the right moves, but we really had to be ready for anything,” said Bernstein. “As it turned out the tune-up was just what the doctor ordered and it got us a round win.”
In the quarterfinals, Bernstein prepared to face off against Morgan Lucas. The two friends suited up, walked to each other and pumped fists before getting buckled into their respective 8,000-horsepower machines.
Bernstein rolled off another consistent 3.905-second elapsed time at 305.22 mph, while Lucas battled traction problems, clocking 4.511/202.18.
“Morgan and I have raced each other on a number of occasions,” explained Bernstein, “so when we get to the starting line, we just focus on our lane and our jobs. It’s tough because only one of us is going forward.
“His family sponsors our team so we will carry the Lucas Oil banner into the semis.”
In the semis, it was Bernstein vs. Spencer Massey. Bernstein’s run was quick and trouble free and he sprinted across the finish line with a winning 3.863/313.51, while Massey lost traction at the hit of the throttle on the starting line.
“Our goal coming into the weekend was to get to the finals in St. Louis ,” said Bernstein.
“Now we need to seal the deal.”
In the money round against Antron Brown, Bernstein was quicker off the starting line, but Brown edged the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster for the trophy (Brown: 3.850/318.02 vs. Bernstein: 3.888/310.27).
“Sometimes I just wonder what it’s going to take to win,” lamented Bernstein. “We had a great car all day long, and we really thought today was going to be the day. We had some of our friends from Budweiser at the track with us and the Bud was on ice.”
Bernstein continues to reside in third place in NHRA Full Throttle standings, 44 points out of the lead and 26 out of second place.
