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ENGLISHTOWN , N.J. – Old Bridge Township Raceway Park ’s most successful nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) racer is Kenny Bernstein. Bernstein scored four Funny Car victories here (’85, ’86, ’87, ’89) and three Top Fuel wins (’93, ’01, ’02). It is also the track where Bernstein has celebrated the most success.
The six-time NHRA world champion is encouraged by his recent performance at Chicago where he drove his Monster Energy/Lucas Oil “flopper” to the No. 3 qualifying position, recording his career best Funny Car elapsed time (4.759 seconds) and speed (327.43 mph).
Bernstein said his trips down the Chicago quarter-mile were reminiscent of his Funny Car hey days of the 1980s, and he is looking forward to competition at the ProCare Rx SuperNationals June 22-24.
“Jimmy Walsh (crew chief) and Danny DeGennaro (assistant crew chief) are making strong performance strides and we’re gaining consistency,” said Bernstein. “We are very encouraged and are optimistic about our chances at Englishtown.
“The Funny Car category is extremely competitive, so we don’t want to go too far out on a limb with predictions, but for some reason we’ve done well at Englishtown through the years. We hope there’s some of that “mojo” from our past success hanging in the air for us there.
“Additionally we are less than four rounds out of the countdown to eight, which is the first level for the new championship chase format. There are eight events, including this one, before the countdown is set so we have ample time. But every race is a full on dogfight to earn a position in the field for starters, and then you have to battle for every round win.
“And one thing that’s most bizarre about this year is that because the fields are so tough, nobody dominates every event and from time to time last week’s winner, or the point leader doesn’t qualify. It may be the wackiest season in memory.
“We’ve had our share of early-season struggles, and we’re hopeful that we’ve paid our dues and can continue our climb up the point ladder.”
Bernstein is currently 13th in NHRA Funny Car point standings.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, June 22 at 4:30 p.m. with a second session scheduled for 7:30 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. , with final eliminations beginning Sunday at 11 a.m.
Follow the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car team at Kenny Bernstein Racing. Please visit our sponsors at Monster Energy - Unleash the Beast, Lucas Oil, Initializing...., AlphaTrade.com - Get real time stock quotes, charts, market news, level 2, portfolios and more (OTCBB:APTD) and AlphaTrade FN - Free stock quotes, stock market news & personal finance.
BERNSTEIN TO RACE MONSTER ENERGY/LUCAS OIL FUNNY CAR IN ENGLISHTOWN WHERE HE HAS SCORED THE MOST SUCCESS IN LEGENDARY CAREER
ENGLISHTOWN , N.J. – Old Bridge Township Raceway Park ’s most successful nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) racer is Kenny Bernstein. Bernstein scored four Funny Car victories here (’85, ’86, ’87, ’89) and three Top Fuel wins (’93, ’01, ’02). It is also the track where Bernstein has celebrated the most success.
The six-time NHRA world champion is encouraged by his recent performance at Chicago where he drove his Monster Energy/Lucas Oil “flopper” to the No. 3 qualifying position, recording his career best Funny Car elapsed time (4.759 seconds) and speed (327.43 mph).
Bernstein said his trips down the Chicago quarter-mile were reminiscent of his Funny Car hey days of the 1980s, and he is looking forward to competition at the ProCare Rx SuperNationals June 22-24.
“Jimmy Walsh (crew chief) and Danny DeGennaro (assistant crew chief) are making strong performance strides and we’re gaining consistency,” said Bernstein. “We are very encouraged and are optimistic about our chances at Englishtown.
“The Funny Car category is extremely competitive, so we don’t want to go too far out on a limb with predictions, but for some reason we’ve done well at Englishtown through the years. We hope there’s some of that “mojo” from our past success hanging in the air for us there.
“Additionally we are less than four rounds out of the countdown to eight, which is the first level for the new championship chase format. There are eight events, including this one, before the countdown is set so we have ample time. But every race is a full on dogfight to earn a position in the field for starters, and then you have to battle for every round win.
“And one thing that’s most bizarre about this year is that because the fields are so tough, nobody dominates every event and from time to time last week’s winner, or the point leader doesn’t qualify. It may be the wackiest season in memory.
“We’ve had our share of early-season struggles, and we’re hopeful that we’ve paid our dues and can continue our climb up the point ladder.”
Bernstein is currently 13th in NHRA Funny Car point standings.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, June 22 at 4:30 p.m. with a second session scheduled for 7:30 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. , with final eliminations beginning Sunday at 11 a.m.
Follow the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car team at Kenny Bernstein Racing. Please visit our sponsors at Monster Energy - Unleash the Beast, Lucas Oil, Initializing...., AlphaTrade.com - Get real time stock quotes, charts, market news, level 2, portfolios and more (OTCBB:APTD) and AlphaTrade FN - Free stock quotes, stock market news & personal finance.
