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READING , Pa. – Budweiser/Lucas Oil driver Brandon Bernstein describes his team as riding the crest of a wave following this past weekend’s victory in Dallas . Going into the rescheduled Toyo Tires Nationals Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, Bernstein is third in NHRA Top Fuel point standings, a mere seven points out of second place and 40 points (two rounds of competition) out of the lead.
“Our team is clicking right now and we’ve got momentum,” said Bernstein. “We’re focused on going rounds. Tim (Richards, crew chief) is making some fantastic tune-up calls. Make no mistake, there is going to be a dogfight to the end in my opinion.
“There are so many good cars in the Top Fuel field that can ruin your day early on. In addition to that, you really need to meet your point competition early in eliminations which is contrary to what you would normally want. However, in order to make some big gains in points you have to defeat those that are still in the championship battle early on. Obviously that has a down side, because if you lose, you’re the guy that’s going to be in jeopardy of losing a lot of points.
“It’s really tough on the crew chiefs. We’re fortunate to have some veterans of championship war on our side. Tim (Richards) and Kim (Richards) have a lot of experience to draw upon and they’ve won championships before.”
Bernstein has been in the finals in three of the last four races, winning twice. This season the Budweiser/Lucas Oil scorecard reflects four victories and three runner-up finishes. The team has won the O’Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston in April, the Pontiac Performance Nationals in Columbus , Oh. in May, the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd , Minn. in August, and last weekend’s O’Reilly Fall Nationals in Dallas .
Runner-up performances include the O’Reilly Summernationals in Topeka in May, the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals in St. Louis in June, and the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in September.
“We still have four races and 16 rounds of racing left,” said Bernstein. “So there are a lot of points at stake. And there’s likely to be a lot of shuffling in the points before the championship trophy is awarded.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. with a second session at 6 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, noon and 3 p.m. , with final eliminations beginning Sunday at 11 a.m.
BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM RED HOT AS TOP FUEL
CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE HEADS TO READING
READING , Pa. – Budweiser/Lucas Oil driver Brandon Bernstein describes his team as riding the crest of a wave following this past weekend’s victory in Dallas . Going into the rescheduled Toyo Tires Nationals Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, Bernstein is third in NHRA Top Fuel point standings, a mere seven points out of second place and 40 points (two rounds of competition) out of the lead.
“Our team is clicking right now and we’ve got momentum,” said Bernstein. “We’re focused on going rounds. Tim (Richards, crew chief) is making some fantastic tune-up calls. Make no mistake, there is going to be a dogfight to the end in my opinion.
“There are so many good cars in the Top Fuel field that can ruin your day early on. In addition to that, you really need to meet your point competition early in eliminations which is contrary to what you would normally want. However, in order to make some big gains in points you have to defeat those that are still in the championship battle early on. Obviously that has a down side, because if you lose, you’re the guy that’s going to be in jeopardy of losing a lot of points.
“It’s really tough on the crew chiefs. We’re fortunate to have some veterans of championship war on our side. Tim (Richards) and Kim (Richards) have a lot of experience to draw upon and they’ve won championships before.”
Bernstein has been in the finals in three of the last four races, winning twice. This season the Budweiser/Lucas Oil scorecard reflects four victories and three runner-up finishes. The team has won the O’Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston in April, the Pontiac Performance Nationals in Columbus , Oh. in May, the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd , Minn. in August, and last weekend’s O’Reilly Fall Nationals in Dallas .
Runner-up performances include the O’Reilly Summernationals in Topeka in May, the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals in St. Louis in June, and the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in September.
“We still have four races and 16 rounds of racing left,” said Bernstein. “So there are a lot of points at stake. And there’s likely to be a lot of shuffling in the points before the championship trophy is awarded.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. with a second session at 6 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, noon and 3 p.m. , with final eliminations beginning Sunday at 11 a.m.
