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NORWALK , Ohio (July 1) –The near-capacity crowd at the inaugural Summit Racing Equipment Nationals witnessed classic Kenny Bernstein. The six-time champion drove his Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car to his first final round since his return to the Funny Car ranks this season and a career 118th final round appearance.
The Monster Energy/Lucas Oil team was tenth in qualifying with a 4.813-second elapsed time at 315.12 miles per hour.
Bernstein, well known for his ability to cut quick reaction times, clocked an impressive .068-second reaction time to take a hole shot victory (won by reaction time) over current Funny Car point leader Ron Capps in the first round of race day action. Bernstein logged 4.888/303.16 vs. Capps’ 4.869/317.49.
“I tossed and turned all Saturday night knowing I was going to be racing Capps first round,” said Bernstein. “He’s a great competitor and getting by him in the first round was a big morale boost for our team.”
In the second round, Bernstein earned a transfer to the semifinals by virtue of low elapsed time of the round and a victory over Ashley Force, 4.815/319.45 vs. 4.901/290.94.
“That was a great number,” exclaimed Bernstein, “and what a ride! What an amazing run for that time of day. Jimmy and the team really stepped it up; the tune-up was fantastic!”
In the semifinals, Bernstein continued to eliminate the competition, this time defeating Tony Pedregon, 4.889/315.64 vs. Pedregon’s 4.992/288.33.
In the money round, Bernstein faced off against Mike Ashley and was first off the line with an incredible .059 reaction time to Ashley’s .097. For the first time on race day, the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car lost traction and spun its tires, while Ashley had a trouble-free run, winning the event.
“Obviously we would have liked to have won for our sponsors and fans,” said Bernstein, “but this weekend was fantastic. It gave us confidence. I knew this team was capable and we were on the verge of doing well.
“We made some big strides this weekend on all fronts, and we’re only 65 points out of the countdown to eight.
“We know we have a horse to ride and with six races to go before the cutoff, we’re focused and optimistic.”
Bernstein is 13th in NHRA Funny Car point standings.
Follow the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car team at Kenny Bernstein Racing. Please visit our sponsors at Monster Energy - Unleash the Beast, 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.
KENNY BERNSTEIN DRIVES MONSTER ENERGY/LUCAS OIL FUNNY CAR TO RUNNER-UP FINISH IN OHIO
NORWALK , Ohio (July 1) –The near-capacity crowd at the inaugural Summit Racing Equipment Nationals witnessed classic Kenny Bernstein. The six-time champion drove his Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car to his first final round since his return to the Funny Car ranks this season and a career 118th final round appearance.
The Monster Energy/Lucas Oil team was tenth in qualifying with a 4.813-second elapsed time at 315.12 miles per hour.
Bernstein, well known for his ability to cut quick reaction times, clocked an impressive .068-second reaction time to take a hole shot victory (won by reaction time) over current Funny Car point leader Ron Capps in the first round of race day action. Bernstein logged 4.888/303.16 vs. Capps’ 4.869/317.49.
“I tossed and turned all Saturday night knowing I was going to be racing Capps first round,” said Bernstein. “He’s a great competitor and getting by him in the first round was a big morale boost for our team.”
In the second round, Bernstein earned a transfer to the semifinals by virtue of low elapsed time of the round and a victory over Ashley Force, 4.815/319.45 vs. 4.901/290.94.
“That was a great number,” exclaimed Bernstein, “and what a ride! What an amazing run for that time of day. Jimmy and the team really stepped it up; the tune-up was fantastic!”
In the semifinals, Bernstein continued to eliminate the competition, this time defeating Tony Pedregon, 4.889/315.64 vs. Pedregon’s 4.992/288.33.
In the money round, Bernstein faced off against Mike Ashley and was first off the line with an incredible .059 reaction time to Ashley’s .097. For the first time on race day, the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car lost traction and spun its tires, while Ashley had a trouble-free run, winning the event.
“Obviously we would have liked to have won for our sponsors and fans,” said Bernstein, “but this weekend was fantastic. It gave us confidence. I knew this team was capable and we were on the verge of doing well.
“We made some big strides this weekend on all fronts, and we’re only 65 points out of the countdown to eight.
“We know we have a horse to ride and with six races to go before the cutoff, we’re focused and optimistic.”
Bernstein is 13th in NHRA Funny Car point standings.
Follow the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car team at Kenny Bernstein Racing. Please visit our sponsors at Monster Energy - Unleash the Beast, 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.
