Deby
Nitro Member
BRANDON BERNSTEIN COUNTS CHAMPIONSHIP VETERANS FATHER AND CREW CHIEF AS ASSETS AS HE BEGINS HIS OWN CHAMPIONSHIP QUEST IN CHARLOTTE
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/b_bernstein.jpg" alt="b_bernstein" align="right"borders="0"/>
CHARLOTTE, N.C-- In the world of NHRA drag racing, the biggest buzz is arguably the new state-of-the-art zMAX Dragway@ Concord. It has been named The Bellagio of drag strips, it’s in the heart of NASCAR country, and it is the first of six races in the playoffs that will determine championships in the professional categories.
Brandon Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster is seeded sixth as he begins his quest for his first championship at the Carolinas Nationals Sept. 12-14.
Last season the second generation driver had a shot at becoming the Top Fuel champion until a pressure-packed semifinals match in Pomona , Calif. , the final race of the season.
“We were excited to be a factor in last year’s Countdown,” said Bernstein. “Consistency is going to be the key factor. Certainly there’s a lot of pressure if you’re still in contention when it comes to the final race.
“Last year Dad (six-time NHRA champion Kenny) counseled me to just treat each round as you would any other race and focus on the task at hand. So I’ve been through the experience once. Fortunately in our crew chief Tim Richards we have a veteran tuner who has six championships to his credit, including my father’s last Top Fuel championship in 2001. Racing under pressure is nothing new to hi m. So between Tim and my Dad, I have a lot of help from people who have first -hand experience staying calm and focused in the heat of the battle.
“Because this drag strip is new and none of the teams have really had a chance to test on it, it will create a pretty level playing field. The crew chiefs will have to get a read on what the car wants tune-up wise pretty quickly.
“I’m also looking forward to spending some time with my NASCAR friends. Because of my association with Budweiser through the years, we’ve had a chance to work with such great friends as Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Kasey Kahne. We are looking forward to spending some time with our friends early in the week before they head out of town for their weekend of racing.
“We need to go rounds at this first race and keep putting points in the championship bank.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 12 at 3:30 p. m. with a second session at 6:30 p. m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, noon and 3:30 p. m. , with eliminations scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a. m.
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/b_bernstein.jpg" alt="b_bernstein" align="right"borders="0"/>
CHARLOTTE, N.C-- In the world of NHRA drag racing, the biggest buzz is arguably the new state-of-the-art zMAX Dragway@ Concord. It has been named The Bellagio of drag strips, it’s in the heart of NASCAR country, and it is the first of six races in the playoffs that will determine championships in the professional categories.
Brandon Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster is seeded sixth as he begins his quest for his first championship at the Carolinas Nationals Sept. 12-14.
Last season the second generation driver had a shot at becoming the Top Fuel champion until a pressure-packed semifinals match in Pomona , Calif. , the final race of the season.
“We were excited to be a factor in last year’s Countdown,” said Bernstein. “Consistency is going to be the key factor. Certainly there’s a lot of pressure if you’re still in contention when it comes to the final race.
“Last year Dad (six-time NHRA champion Kenny) counseled me to just treat each round as you would any other race and focus on the task at hand. So I’ve been through the experience once. Fortunately in our crew chief Tim Richards we have a veteran tuner who has six championships to his credit, including my father’s last Top Fuel championship in 2001. Racing under pressure is nothing new to hi m. So between Tim and my Dad, I have a lot of help from people who have first -hand experience staying calm and focused in the heat of the battle.
“Because this drag strip is new and none of the teams have really had a chance to test on it, it will create a pretty level playing field. The crew chiefs will have to get a read on what the car wants tune-up wise pretty quickly.
“I’m also looking forward to spending some time with my NASCAR friends. Because of my association with Budweiser through the years, we’ve had a chance to work with such great friends as Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Kasey Kahne. We are looking forward to spending some time with our friends early in the week before they head out of town for their weekend of racing.
“We need to go rounds at this first race and keep putting points in the championship bank.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 12 at 3:30 p. m. with a second session at 6:30 p. m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, noon and 3:30 p. m. , with eliminations scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a. m.
