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CLERMONT, Ind. – Six-time NHRA world champion Kenny Bernstein is looking for his first victory of the season. Could the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Aug. 31-Sept. 3 provide the setting?
Bernstein has finished runner-up twice this year since his return to NHRA competition as driver of the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny car. He was within a nano second (four thousandths of a second to be exact) from defeating John Force in a thrilling final round at Brainerd , Minn.
“This Monster Energy/Lucas Oil team is right on the edge of a victory,” said Bernstein. “The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals is the most important race in our sport in terms of legend and history. It would be a significant accomplishment if we could pull off a win in Indy.”
Bernstein’s career is full of firsts. He is perhaps most well known for being the first to surpass the 300 mph barrier, a feat he accomplished in 1992. But another of his accomplishments was the first to claim double up victories at the U.S. Nationals and the Bud Shootout specialty race on the same weekend in Indy. That achievement went in the record books in 1983 when he was driving the Budweiser King Funny Car.
The Bud Shootout specialty race for the eight quickest Funny Cars in the sport is now the Skoal Showdown, but points are accrued at events completed since the previous year’s contest. Since that includes events from last season when Bernstein was not competing, he did not amass enough points to compete in the ’07 event which is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 2.
“We knew going into this season that we wouldn’t have a chance to compete in the Showdown,” said Bernstein. “The concept was originally an idea I took on behalf of Budweiser to previous NHRA President Dallas Gardner. Together we worked to initiate the first Bud Shootout in 1982. It was the Bud Shootout until 2004 when Skoal took over the naming rights.
“We’re happy the race has thrived through the years. For the competitors, it’s a chance to earn another paycheck, and if you can pull off a victory in the Showdown and the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, there’s a double up bonus worth a total of $100,000. That will help pay some bills.”
Besides the victory in 1983, Bernstein won the prestigious U.S. Nationals in Funny Car again in 1987 and in Top Fuel in 1991.
“I’m very proud of the progress that (crew chief) Jimmy Walsh has made these last several races,” said Bernstein. “The Funny Car category has been very competitive, perhaps the most closely-matched field in recent NHRA history.
“We picked a heck of a year to come back, but one afternoon in victory circle will soothe all the disappointments and the days, months, and hours of determination and sweat that the team has put into this effort.
“Our Monster Energy/Lucas Oil team is focused and optimistic.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals begins Friday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds scheduled Saturday, 2:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ; two qualifying rounds Sunday, 12:45 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. , with eliminations beginning Monday at 11 a.m.
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 Finance - Free stock quotes, stock market news & personal finance.
KENNY BERNSTEIN SAYS MONSTER ENERGY/LUCAS OIL TEAM IS FOCUSED AND OPTIMISTIC FOR MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS
CLERMONT, Ind. – Six-time NHRA world champion Kenny Bernstein is looking for his first victory of the season. Could the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Aug. 31-Sept. 3 provide the setting?
Bernstein has finished runner-up twice this year since his return to NHRA competition as driver of the Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny car. He was within a nano second (four thousandths of a second to be exact) from defeating John Force in a thrilling final round at Brainerd , Minn.
“This Monster Energy/Lucas Oil team is right on the edge of a victory,” said Bernstein. “The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals is the most important race in our sport in terms of legend and history. It would be a significant accomplishment if we could pull off a win in Indy.”
Bernstein’s career is full of firsts. He is perhaps most well known for being the first to surpass the 300 mph barrier, a feat he accomplished in 1992. But another of his accomplishments was the first to claim double up victories at the U.S. Nationals and the Bud Shootout specialty race on the same weekend in Indy. That achievement went in the record books in 1983 when he was driving the Budweiser King Funny Car.
The Bud Shootout specialty race for the eight quickest Funny Cars in the sport is now the Skoal Showdown, but points are accrued at events completed since the previous year’s contest. Since that includes events from last season when Bernstein was not competing, he did not amass enough points to compete in the ’07 event which is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 2.
“We knew going into this season that we wouldn’t have a chance to compete in the Showdown,” said Bernstein. “The concept was originally an idea I took on behalf of Budweiser to previous NHRA President Dallas Gardner. Together we worked to initiate the first Bud Shootout in 1982. It was the Bud Shootout until 2004 when Skoal took over the naming rights.
“We’re happy the race has thrived through the years. For the competitors, it’s a chance to earn another paycheck, and if you can pull off a victory in the Showdown and the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, there’s a double up bonus worth a total of $100,000. That will help pay some bills.”
Besides the victory in 1983, Bernstein won the prestigious U.S. Nationals in Funny Car again in 1987 and in Top Fuel in 1991.
“I’m very proud of the progress that (crew chief) Jimmy Walsh has made these last several races,” said Bernstein. “The Funny Car category has been very competitive, perhaps the most closely-matched field in recent NHRA history.
“We picked a heck of a year to come back, but one afternoon in victory circle will soothe all the disappointments and the days, months, and hours of determination and sweat that the team has put into this effort.
“Our Monster Energy/Lucas Oil team is focused and optimistic.”
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals begins Friday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds scheduled Saturday, 2:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ; two qualifying rounds Sunday, 12:45 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. , with eliminations beginning Monday at 11 a.m.
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 Finance - Free stock quotes, stock market news & personal finance.
