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ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 22) – Brandon Bernstein finally changed his fortune at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park . At the Lucas Oil Supernationals he drove the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster to a runner-up finish, his first career final round appearance at Raceway Park .
The same track that sidelined the second generation driver in 2003 with a collision into and over the retaining wall, sadly this year claimed the life of second generation Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta during qualifying for the event. The Kalittas have long been friends of the Bernsteins and the entire racing community mourned the loss of the personable driver, husband and father of two sons. Though Saturday activity at Raceway Park was halted following Scott Kalitta’s accident, Sunday’s eliminations were run as scheduled.
Bernstein qualified second for the Lucas Oil Supernationals with a 4.525/323.27.
In the opening round of eliminations Bernstein defeated Todd Paton who had a fiery blower explosion on the starting line. The Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster sailed down the quarter-mile crossing the finish line with a 4.692/316.60.
"That was step one and one round win,” said Bernstein. “We ' re racing with heavy hearts today. (Referring to the death of Scott Kalitta yesterday during a qualifying accident) We are trying to stay focused on the job at hand. I know that ' s what Scott would want us to do.
“Scott was great! I just loved being around him. He could entertain you for hours with stories about his dad and his team. He had been out here for so many years that he had a lot of humorous tales. We will miss him, but he will remain in our hearts.”
In second round pairing Bernstein faced Bob Vandergriff, Jr. Vandergriff lost traction near half track. Bernstein battled the same malady near the finish line but got the round win with a 5.068/238.13 to Vandergriff’s 8.655/96.96.
“When you have tire smoke way down track you’re always fearful of the other guy coming around you right in the lights,” explained Bernstein. “When I lifted my foot off the throttle in an attempt to settle the car down before I got back on the throttle, I didn’t hear him, but you still think he might come up on you. I got back on the throttle and was fortunate to get our Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster across the finish line first.”
The semifinals saw a battle between Bernstein and Hot Rod Fuller. Bernstein had the better reaction time off the starting line and held the advantage all the way to the finish line. He clocked 4.616/319.22 while Fuller started to mix up cylinders at the end of the track finishing his day with a 4.813/256.84.
“I don’t have good memories of this track,” said Bernstein. “It’s great to be going to a final round here.”
The money round was a face -off between Bernstein and one of the fiercest Top Fuel competitors, Tony Schumacher. It was a solid performance by both drivers, but Schumacher took the win light, 4.589/325.06 to Bernstein’s 4.562/323.04.
Though Bernstein remains seventh in NHRA Top Fuel point standings, he significantly narrowed the gap between himself and fourth place.
BERNSTEIN RUNNER-UP AT ENGLISHTOWN;
JOINS FATHER AND RACING FRATERNITY IN MOURNING SCOTT KALITTA
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 22) – Brandon Bernstein finally changed his fortune at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park . At the Lucas Oil Supernationals he drove the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster to a runner-up finish, his first career final round appearance at Raceway Park .
The same track that sidelined the second generation driver in 2003 with a collision into and over the retaining wall, sadly this year claimed the life of second generation Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta during qualifying for the event. The Kalittas have long been friends of the Bernsteins and the entire racing community mourned the loss of the personable driver, husband and father of two sons. Though Saturday activity at Raceway Park was halted following Scott Kalitta’s accident, Sunday’s eliminations were run as scheduled.
Bernstein qualified second for the Lucas Oil Supernationals with a 4.525/323.27.
In the opening round of eliminations Bernstein defeated Todd Paton who had a fiery blower explosion on the starting line. The Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster sailed down the quarter-mile crossing the finish line with a 4.692/316.60.
"That was step one and one round win,” said Bernstein. “We ' re racing with heavy hearts today. (Referring to the death of Scott Kalitta yesterday during a qualifying accident) We are trying to stay focused on the job at hand. I know that ' s what Scott would want us to do.
“Scott was great! I just loved being around him. He could entertain you for hours with stories about his dad and his team. He had been out here for so many years that he had a lot of humorous tales. We will miss him, but he will remain in our hearts.”
In second round pairing Bernstein faced Bob Vandergriff, Jr. Vandergriff lost traction near half track. Bernstein battled the same malady near the finish line but got the round win with a 5.068/238.13 to Vandergriff’s 8.655/96.96.
“When you have tire smoke way down track you’re always fearful of the other guy coming around you right in the lights,” explained Bernstein. “When I lifted my foot off the throttle in an attempt to settle the car down before I got back on the throttle, I didn’t hear him, but you still think he might come up on you. I got back on the throttle and was fortunate to get our Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster across the finish line first.”
The semifinals saw a battle between Bernstein and Hot Rod Fuller. Bernstein had the better reaction time off the starting line and held the advantage all the way to the finish line. He clocked 4.616/319.22 while Fuller started to mix up cylinders at the end of the track finishing his day with a 4.813/256.84.
“I don’t have good memories of this track,” said Bernstein. “It’s great to be going to a final round here.”
The money round was a face -off between Bernstein and one of the fiercest Top Fuel competitors, Tony Schumacher. It was a solid performance by both drivers, but Schumacher took the win light, 4.589/325.06 to Bernstein’s 4.562/323.04.
Though Bernstein remains seventh in NHRA Top Fuel point standings, he significantly narrowed the gap between himself and fourth place.
