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ENGLISHTOWN , N.J. – Brandon Bernstein is hoping that some of his father’s success at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park will rub off on him when he competes at the ProCare Rx SuperNationals June 22-24.
Kenny Bernstein has won seven events at this track, more than any other, but for Brandon , it may be the track where he has struggled the most. It was also the scene of the 2003 crash that cut his rookie year short. It took him the remainder of the year to heal and rehabilitate from back injuries suffered in that incident.
Though the second generation driver has qualified No. 1 at Raceway Park twice in his short career, his race days have predominantly been limited to one round. Last year was his best showing, where his No. 1 qualifying elapsed time (4.534) and speed (330.72 mph) were also the best of the event, and he drove to the semifinals.
This season it’s been all or nothing for Bernstein. In the first nine events this year, the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team has won three events, finished runner-up once, and failed to qualify twice.
“I don’t know what to expect any more,” said Bernstein. “We have a terrific and very talented team and we persevere. But this year has been just plain weird. We’ve seen the longest qualifying streaks come to an end and it seems that many of the stars of the sport have found themselves on the outside looking in on race day.
“We’ve been fortunate to have won more Top Fuel events this year than any other team thus far, and we’re second in point standings, only 31 points out of the lead. This year was the first time in our career we missed a show on Sunday and then it happened again. Everyone is vulnerable it seems. Despite the lows, the highs have included winning three events and we’ve led the point standings twice this year.
“The key is to get a good baseline run in the first round Friday and then run a strong number Friday evening which is going to be the coolest session of the weekend. Now that we’re coming into the hot summer days, you probably won’t have an opportunity to better your numbers on Saturday so you have to use the Friday night run to make sure you get seeded into the top 16. You just need to use Saturday to work on your race day tune-up.
“I hope this is the year that we’re able to turn our luck around at Englishtown and drive to the finals.”
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 Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team at Kenny Bernstein Racing. Please visit our sponsors at Budweiser, 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..
BRANDON BERNSTEIN HOPES TO TURN LUCK AROUND AT ENGLISHTOWN
ENGLISHTOWN , N.J. – Brandon Bernstein is hoping that some of his father’s success at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park will rub off on him when he competes at the ProCare Rx SuperNationals June 22-24.
Kenny Bernstein has won seven events at this track, more than any other, but for Brandon , it may be the track where he has struggled the most. It was also the scene of the 2003 crash that cut his rookie year short. It took him the remainder of the year to heal and rehabilitate from back injuries suffered in that incident.
Though the second generation driver has qualified No. 1 at Raceway Park twice in his short career, his race days have predominantly been limited to one round. Last year was his best showing, where his No. 1 qualifying elapsed time (4.534) and speed (330.72 mph) were also the best of the event, and he drove to the semifinals.
This season it’s been all or nothing for Bernstein. In the first nine events this year, the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team has won three events, finished runner-up once, and failed to qualify twice.
“I don’t know what to expect any more,” said Bernstein. “We have a terrific and very talented team and we persevere. But this year has been just plain weird. We’ve seen the longest qualifying streaks come to an end and it seems that many of the stars of the sport have found themselves on the outside looking in on race day.
“We’ve been fortunate to have won more Top Fuel events this year than any other team thus far, and we’re second in point standings, only 31 points out of the lead. This year was the first time in our career we missed a show on Sunday and then it happened again. Everyone is vulnerable it seems. Despite the lows, the highs have included winning three events and we’ve led the point standings twice this year.
“The key is to get a good baseline run in the first round Friday and then run a strong number Friday evening which is going to be the coolest session of the weekend. Now that we’re coming into the hot summer days, you probably won’t have an opportunity to better your numbers on Saturday so you have to use the Friday night run to make sure you get seeded into the top 16. You just need to use Saturday to work on your race day tune-up.
“I hope this is the year that we’re able to turn our luck around at Englishtown and drive to the finals.”
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 Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team at Kenny Bernstein Racing. Please visit our sponsors at Budweiser, 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..
