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BAYTOWN, Texas – Two of Brandon Bernstein’s 12 career victories have come at Houston Raceway Park, but when the second-generation heads to the O’Reilly Spring Nationals March 30-
April 1, it will be with a heavy heart.
One of Bernstein’s best friends and one of the sport’s most beloved competitors, Funny Car driver Eric Medlen, was critically injured in a testing accident March 19, the day after the race in Gainesville , Fla.
Medlen underwent a delicate craniotomy to relieve pressure and hemorrhaging from a closed head wound he suffered in the accident. He is being kept in a drug-induced coma designed to promote healing.
Bernstein, his father Kenny, and myriad of the drag racing fraternity went to Shands Hospital in Gainesville anxiously awaiting word on Medlen’s condition following the accident.
“J.R. Todd (Top Fuel driver), Eric and I have an especially close bond,” said Bernstein.
“J.R. and I will be competing with a photo of the three of us inside the cockpit of our race cars. I’m in touch with Eric’s dad and members of Eric’s team a couple of times a day for updates.
“There’s a big empty space because Eric’s not on the road with us, but we’re optimistic that he will have 100 percent recovery. There are a lot of people saying a whole lot of prayers for Eric.
“In Gainesville , for the first time in my career, we didn’t qualify in our Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster. It was a shocker for everyone. It’s been 13 years since Tim (Richards, crew chief) and Kim (Richards) haven’t qualified a race car. But Eric was right there trying to cheer me up Saturday and Sunday. He can always make me smile.
“At least his photo will be onboard, almost like he’s riding with me, throughout the event.
“As far as our race team goes, there’s a lot of talent there and I have every confidence that we will bounce back in Houston. We were second going into Gainesville and we’re sixth going into Houston , still inside the top eight for the championship chase.
“We won here last year and again in 2004, so now would be an excellent time to add another victory to the Houston scorecard.”
Bernstein, the defending O’Reilly Spring Nationals Top Fuel champion, is a native of Dallas and a graduate of Texas A & M University .
Nitro (Funny Car and Top Fuel) qualifying begins Friday, March 20 at 4 p.m. with a second session at 7 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, noon and 3 p.m. , with final eliminations beginning Sunday, April 1 at 11 a.m.
Follow the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team at Kenny Bernstein Sponsors for 2006. 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..
DEFENDING O’REILLY SPRING NATIONALS TOP FUEL CHAMP BRANDON BERNSTEIN WILL DRIVE WITH FRIEND’S PHOTO ONBOARD
BAYTOWN, Texas – Two of Brandon Bernstein’s 12 career victories have come at Houston Raceway Park, but when the second-generation heads to the O’Reilly Spring Nationals March 30-
April 1, it will be with a heavy heart.
One of Bernstein’s best friends and one of the sport’s most beloved competitors, Funny Car driver Eric Medlen, was critically injured in a testing accident March 19, the day after the race in Gainesville , Fla.
Medlen underwent a delicate craniotomy to relieve pressure and hemorrhaging from a closed head wound he suffered in the accident. He is being kept in a drug-induced coma designed to promote healing.
Bernstein, his father Kenny, and myriad of the drag racing fraternity went to Shands Hospital in Gainesville anxiously awaiting word on Medlen’s condition following the accident.
“J.R. Todd (Top Fuel driver), Eric and I have an especially close bond,” said Bernstein.
“J.R. and I will be competing with a photo of the three of us inside the cockpit of our race cars. I’m in touch with Eric’s dad and members of Eric’s team a couple of times a day for updates.
“There’s a big empty space because Eric’s not on the road with us, but we’re optimistic that he will have 100 percent recovery. There are a lot of people saying a whole lot of prayers for Eric.
“In Gainesville , for the first time in my career, we didn’t qualify in our Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster. It was a shocker for everyone. It’s been 13 years since Tim (Richards, crew chief) and Kim (Richards) haven’t qualified a race car. But Eric was right there trying to cheer me up Saturday and Sunday. He can always make me smile.
“At least his photo will be onboard, almost like he’s riding with me, throughout the event.
“As far as our race team goes, there’s a lot of talent there and I have every confidence that we will bounce back in Houston. We were second going into Gainesville and we’re sixth going into Houston , still inside the top eight for the championship chase.
“We won here last year and again in 2004, so now would be an excellent time to add another victory to the Houston scorecard.”
Bernstein, the defending O’Reilly Spring Nationals Top Fuel champion, is a native of Dallas and a graduate of Texas A & M University .
Nitro (Funny Car and Top Fuel) qualifying begins Friday, March 20 at 4 p.m. with a second session at 7 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, noon and 3 p.m. , with final eliminations beginning Sunday, April 1 at 11 a.m.
Follow the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team at Kenny Bernstein Sponsors for 2006. 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..
