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BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 12) – Kenny Bernstein epitomized the eye of the tiger at the Lucas Oil Nationals. It was a weekend of vintage Bernstein and teamwork in the truest sense: good driving, good tuning. With their combined efforts, Bernstein and the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil team scored their second runner-up finish of the season and moved to 11th in NHRA point standings. They still have a mathematical shot at making the countdown to eight
Bernstein qualified No. 4 at Brainerd International Raceway with a 4.796/319.60.
In the opening round of eliminations, Bernstein defeated Tony Pedregon with a 4.824/316.15 to Pedregon’s 4.863/316.23
“Tony and his team are very competitive,” said Bernstein. “That was a close race and a good round win. We need to go rounds today.”
A masterful job of driving and one of Bernstein’s lightning quick reaction times contributed to the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil team’s second round win. With a scorching .035-second reaction time off the starting line coupled with a 4.826-second elapsed time at 320.81 mph, Bernstein streaked across the finish line first to best opponent Jack Beckman’s quicker 4.786-second elapsed time at 321.88 mph, but slower .118-second reaction time. Bernstein’s margin of victory was .0435 seconds.
“I knew I had to be on my game,” said Bernstein. “Every round is critical to us and we have the horse to ride today.”
In the semifinals, Bernstein brought his ‘A’ game to the starting line again for another hole shot victory over Gary Scelzi. Bernstein’s .066-second reaction time combined with a 4.825/312.86 conquered Scelzi’s .095-second reaction time with a 4.808/322.65. As Bernstein neared the finish line, there was a flash of fire from the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car.
“The engine just leaned out and blew up to put it in the simplest terms,” said Bernstein.
Back in the pits, the team scrambled to change the engine and put the green machine back together for the final round where two of the great champions of the sport, Kenny Bernstein and John Force, would duke it out for the Lucas Oil Nationals trophy.
Ironically 20 years ago in 1987, Force and Bernstein met in the finals at this event and Bernstein took the win.
This time Bernstein had a slight edge out of the starting gate and it was neck and neck down the drag strip. Force earned the victory with a near photo finish. Bernstein stopped the clocks with a 4.801/320.43 to Force’s 4.794/316.60.
“It was a heck of a race,” said Bernstein, “but we’re disappointed when we lose. The team was under severe pressure to put the car back together for the finals. And they did a great job. I’m very proud of them!
“I was happy for Brandon and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team’s victory today. Brandon and I want to celebrate a double victory and we thought today might be the day. It’s very difficult to get both cars to the final on the same weekend to begin with. The odds on that in Las Vegas would be pretty high. Not to be able to complete the deal is disappointing, but we did stay alive for the countdown spot and we did gain some positions in the point standings. This team is getting more competitive every race.”
Bernstein is 115 points out of the single Funny Car position still available in the countdown to eight.
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 - digital media and marketing company specializing in creating networking opportunities to build your brand, sell more products, increase your web traffic and gain more attention for your company (OTCBB:APTD) and AlphaTrade FN - Free stock quotes, stock market news & personal finance..
KENNY BERNSTEIN RUNNER-UP IN BRAINERD; MOVES UP IN POINT STANDINGS
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 12) – Kenny Bernstein epitomized the eye of the tiger at the Lucas Oil Nationals. It was a weekend of vintage Bernstein and teamwork in the truest sense: good driving, good tuning. With their combined efforts, Bernstein and the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil team scored their second runner-up finish of the season and moved to 11th in NHRA point standings. They still have a mathematical shot at making the countdown to eight
Bernstein qualified No. 4 at Brainerd International Raceway with a 4.796/319.60.
In the opening round of eliminations, Bernstein defeated Tony Pedregon with a 4.824/316.15 to Pedregon’s 4.863/316.23
“Tony and his team are very competitive,” said Bernstein. “That was a close race and a good round win. We need to go rounds today.”
A masterful job of driving and one of Bernstein’s lightning quick reaction times contributed to the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil team’s second round win. With a scorching .035-second reaction time off the starting line coupled with a 4.826-second elapsed time at 320.81 mph, Bernstein streaked across the finish line first to best opponent Jack Beckman’s quicker 4.786-second elapsed time at 321.88 mph, but slower .118-second reaction time. Bernstein’s margin of victory was .0435 seconds.
“I knew I had to be on my game,” said Bernstein. “Every round is critical to us and we have the horse to ride today.”
In the semifinals, Bernstein brought his ‘A’ game to the starting line again for another hole shot victory over Gary Scelzi. Bernstein’s .066-second reaction time combined with a 4.825/312.86 conquered Scelzi’s .095-second reaction time with a 4.808/322.65. As Bernstein neared the finish line, there was a flash of fire from the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car.
“The engine just leaned out and blew up to put it in the simplest terms,” said Bernstein.
Back in the pits, the team scrambled to change the engine and put the green machine back together for the final round where two of the great champions of the sport, Kenny Bernstein and John Force, would duke it out for the Lucas Oil Nationals trophy.
Ironically 20 years ago in 1987, Force and Bernstein met in the finals at this event and Bernstein took the win.
This time Bernstein had a slight edge out of the starting gate and it was neck and neck down the drag strip. Force earned the victory with a near photo finish. Bernstein stopped the clocks with a 4.801/320.43 to Force’s 4.794/316.60.
“It was a heck of a race,” said Bernstein, “but we’re disappointed when we lose. The team was under severe pressure to put the car back together for the finals. And they did a great job. I’m very proud of them!
“I was happy for Brandon and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team’s victory today. Brandon and I want to celebrate a double victory and we thought today might be the day. It’s very difficult to get both cars to the final on the same weekend to begin with. The odds on that in Las Vegas would be pretty high. Not to be able to complete the deal is disappointing, but we did stay alive for the countdown spot and we did gain some positions in the point standings. This team is getting more competitive every race.”
Bernstein is 115 points out of the single Funny Car position still available in the countdown to eight.
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 - digital media and marketing company specializing in creating networking opportunities to build your brand, sell more products, increase your web traffic and gain more attention for your company (OTCBB:APTD) and AlphaTrade FN - Free stock quotes, stock market news & personal finance..
