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DINWIDDIE, Va. (Oct. 15) -- Kenny Bernstein’s Budweiser/Lucas Oil team has proven itself to be a formidable challenger for the 2006 POWERade Top Fuel championship. At the rescheduled Torco Racing Fuels Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park , the team took one step forward and one step back.
Second generation driver Brandon Bernstein moved to second place in point standings, his highest ranking of the season, yet the point leader gained one more round, or 20 points, as the season winds down with two races remaining.
The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team qualified fifth with a 4.552-second elapsed time at 319.75 miles per hour.
In the opening round of eliminations, Bernstein squared off against Morgan Lucas. The fans were treated to a great battle between the two friends who were glued together to about half track. Though Bernstein started skating around down track, he remained hooked up while Lucas lost traction near the finish line. Bernstein scored the win, 4.562/315.05, to Lucas’ 4.632/284.15.
The quarterfinals against point leader Doug Kalitta were critical. Bernstein was only able to challenge to about the 300-foot mark before losing traction. Kalitta took the win 4.601/308.85 to Bernstein’s 6.553/122.09.
“First of all we weren’t expecting to smoke the tires,” said Bernstein. “That caught us by surprise. Though Doug was able to gain another round on us, we certainly aren’t going to throw the towel in by any means. This team will hang tough and dig as deep as we possibly can.
“We were able to nudge into second place today, but we still have a real dogfight between second and third place, not even counting the championship. Pass the Tums. It’s going to be a barn burner to the end. But I’d rather be in the fight than on the outside looking in, so I’ll take the stress.
“Some days you feel like a yo-yo. Today was one of those days. You ride the high of climbing to second place, then you lose a bit of a foot hold and you’re hanging on the edge of the cliff.
“To add more excitement and drama, our next race is Las Vegas (Oct. 27-29) and that weekend includes the Budweiser Shootout. It’s a double header weekend. It would be great to double down.”
Bernstein is 83 points out of the POWERade Top Fuel championship lead and is six points ahead of third place.
BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM MOVES TO SECOND IN NHRA TOP FUEL POINTS;
DRIVER BERNSTEIN EXPECTS EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER RIDE TO THE FINISH
DINWIDDIE, Va. (Oct. 15) -- Kenny Bernstein’s Budweiser/Lucas Oil team has proven itself to be a formidable challenger for the 2006 POWERade Top Fuel championship. At the rescheduled Torco Racing Fuels Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park , the team took one step forward and one step back.
Second generation driver Brandon Bernstein moved to second place in point standings, his highest ranking of the season, yet the point leader gained one more round, or 20 points, as the season winds down with two races remaining.
The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team qualified fifth with a 4.552-second elapsed time at 319.75 miles per hour.
In the opening round of eliminations, Bernstein squared off against Morgan Lucas. The fans were treated to a great battle between the two friends who were glued together to about half track. Though Bernstein started skating around down track, he remained hooked up while Lucas lost traction near the finish line. Bernstein scored the win, 4.562/315.05, to Lucas’ 4.632/284.15.
The quarterfinals against point leader Doug Kalitta were critical. Bernstein was only able to challenge to about the 300-foot mark before losing traction. Kalitta took the win 4.601/308.85 to Bernstein’s 6.553/122.09.
“First of all we weren’t expecting to smoke the tires,” said Bernstein. “That caught us by surprise. Though Doug was able to gain another round on us, we certainly aren’t going to throw the towel in by any means. This team will hang tough and dig as deep as we possibly can.
“We were able to nudge into second place today, but we still have a real dogfight between second and third place, not even counting the championship. Pass the Tums. It’s going to be a barn burner to the end. But I’d rather be in the fight than on the outside looking in, so I’ll take the stress.
“Some days you feel like a yo-yo. Today was one of those days. You ride the high of climbing to second place, then you lose a bit of a foot hold and you’re hanging on the edge of the cliff.
“To add more excitement and drama, our next race is Las Vegas (Oct. 27-29) and that weekend includes the Budweiser Shootout. It’s a double header weekend. It would be great to double down.”
Bernstein is 83 points out of the POWERade Top Fuel championship lead and is six points ahead of third place.
