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POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 12) – The Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team made some strong performance moves at the Automobile Club of Southern California Nationals, dipping into the 4.40-second elapsed time zone for the first time this season.
Experimenting with a new innovative injector, crew chief Tim Richards coaxed the first sub 4.50-second run out of the dragster in qualifying, claiming the No. 3 position with a 4.473-second elapsed time at 330.15 miles per hour in a Top Fuel field that tied the quickest in history. The second 4.40 came in the quarterfinals against Larry Dixon.
In the opening round of Sunday’s eliminations, Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster driver Brandon Bernstein rolled to the starting line to face Mike Strasburg. While Strasburg struggled with loss of traction, Bernstein streaked to a 4.508/330.15 victory to transfer to the quarterfinals.
“Tim (Richards) seems to have a handle on the tune-up today,” said Bernstein. “We’ll be ready for the next round with Larry Dixon, but that team is tough.”
In the second round, Bernstein and Larry Dixon drove into the staging beams for the last round of beers wars. Dixon lost traction and blazed the tires, while Bernstein rocketed to a 4.496/330.07.
"We ' re right there with the best cars today,” said Bernstein. “It ' s just unfortunate that we ' re not still in the championship chase."
In the semifinals against Tony Schumacher, Bernstein was quickest off the line, but Schumacher edged Bernstein out for the round win at the finish line. Schumacher stopped the clocks at 4.482 seconds, 329.50 mph, while Bernstein clocked 4.511 seconds at 332.18 mph.
“Tim is trying some new tune-up components and it looks like we’re headed in the right direction,” said Bernstein. “He was able to accomplish some performance goals he had set and we’ll work hard through the winter to make some additional gains for the 2007 season. We’ll be testing in January and ready for the season-opener in February.”
Bernstein finished third in NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings.
BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM ENDS NHRA SEASON THIRD IN TOP FUEL POINT STANDINGS AND WINS FINAL BATTLE OF BEER WARS
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 12) – The Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team made some strong performance moves at the Automobile Club of Southern California Nationals, dipping into the 4.40-second elapsed time zone for the first time this season.
Experimenting with a new innovative injector, crew chief Tim Richards coaxed the first sub 4.50-second run out of the dragster in qualifying, claiming the No. 3 position with a 4.473-second elapsed time at 330.15 miles per hour in a Top Fuel field that tied the quickest in history. The second 4.40 came in the quarterfinals against Larry Dixon.
In the opening round of Sunday’s eliminations, Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster driver Brandon Bernstein rolled to the starting line to face Mike Strasburg. While Strasburg struggled with loss of traction, Bernstein streaked to a 4.508/330.15 victory to transfer to the quarterfinals.
“Tim (Richards) seems to have a handle on the tune-up today,” said Bernstein. “We’ll be ready for the next round with Larry Dixon, but that team is tough.”
In the second round, Bernstein and Larry Dixon drove into the staging beams for the last round of beers wars. Dixon lost traction and blazed the tires, while Bernstein rocketed to a 4.496/330.07.
"We ' re right there with the best cars today,” said Bernstein. “It ' s just unfortunate that we ' re not still in the championship chase."
In the semifinals against Tony Schumacher, Bernstein was quickest off the line, but Schumacher edged Bernstein out for the round win at the finish line. Schumacher stopped the clocks at 4.482 seconds, 329.50 mph, while Bernstein clocked 4.511 seconds at 332.18 mph.
“Tim is trying some new tune-up components and it looks like we’re headed in the right direction,” said Bernstein. “He was able to accomplish some performance goals he had set and we’ll work hard through the winter to make some additional gains for the 2007 season. We’ll be testing in January and ready for the season-opener in February.”
Bernstein finished third in NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings.
