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READING, Pa. – Six-time NHRA world champion Kenny Bernstein already has one team seeded in the countdown to eight, the first phase of the countdown to the championship. His Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team with his son Brandon in the cockpit has solidified a position in the prestigious field.
The Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car that Kenny owns and drives, will have one last chance at the Toyo Tires Nationals Aug. 17-19 to qualify for the countdown to eight.
Bernstein comes to Reading off a runner-up finish at Brainerd , Minn. , and is 115 points out of the single Funny Car position available in the countdown to eight.
“We started this team from the nuts and bolts up this season,” said Bernstein. “It was quite an undertaking. We got off to a slow start which cost us some time and points. At the third race of the season we hired a new crew chief and assistant crew chief and we went to the semifinals.
“This is perhaps the most competitive season in the Funny Car category in NHRA history. Our team has the talent to go rounds which we’ve proven. From time to time we’ve had some mechanical gremlins to chase which have slowed down our progress, but every person on our team is pulling his weight and putting in 100 percent effort. There’s no lack of funding and no lack of effort here.
“If we don’t make the countdown to eight, sure, we’ll be disappointed, but it doesn’t mean we can’t win an event between now and the end of the year. We’re close, and we can sure play the spoiler.”
Bernstein also finished runner-up at the inaugural NHRA race at Norwalk , Ohio , July 1, and has had strong qualifying efforts, including a No. 2 starting berth in Seattle July 22.
Well known for his quick reaction times off the starting line, Bernstein has contributed to round wins for his team and had the quickest reaction time of eliminations in Denver in both the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories.
In his early Funny Car career, Bernstein was a three-time finalist at Maple Grove Raceway, winning in 1988, the fourth year of his consecutive NHRA Funny Car championships.
He drove to victory circle twice during his Top Fuel tenure, 1992 and 1996, and was runner-up in 1997, 2001, and 2002.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the Toyo Tires Nationals begins Friday, Aug. 17 at 4 p.m. with a second session at 7 p.m. There are two Saturday qualifying runs scheduled at noon and 3 p.m. Top Fuel will kick-off Sunday’s eliminations 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 FN - Free stock quotes, stock market news & personal finance.
KENNY BERNSTEIN STRIVING TO BUMP INTO COUNTDOWN TO EIGHT AT READING
READING, Pa. – Six-time NHRA world champion Kenny Bernstein already has one team seeded in the countdown to eight, the first phase of the countdown to the championship. His Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team with his son Brandon in the cockpit has solidified a position in the prestigious field.
The Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car that Kenny owns and drives, will have one last chance at the Toyo Tires Nationals Aug. 17-19 to qualify for the countdown to eight.
Bernstein comes to Reading off a runner-up finish at Brainerd , Minn. , and is 115 points out of the single Funny Car position available in the countdown to eight.
“We started this team from the nuts and bolts up this season,” said Bernstein. “It was quite an undertaking. We got off to a slow start which cost us some time and points. At the third race of the season we hired a new crew chief and assistant crew chief and we went to the semifinals.
“This is perhaps the most competitive season in the Funny Car category in NHRA history. Our team has the talent to go rounds which we’ve proven. From time to time we’ve had some mechanical gremlins to chase which have slowed down our progress, but every person on our team is pulling his weight and putting in 100 percent effort. There’s no lack of funding and no lack of effort here.
“If we don’t make the countdown to eight, sure, we’ll be disappointed, but it doesn’t mean we can’t win an event between now and the end of the year. We’re close, and we can sure play the spoiler.”
Bernstein also finished runner-up at the inaugural NHRA race at Norwalk , Ohio , July 1, and has had strong qualifying efforts, including a No. 2 starting berth in Seattle July 22.
Well known for his quick reaction times off the starting line, Bernstein has contributed to round wins for his team and had the quickest reaction time of eliminations in Denver in both the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories.
In his early Funny Car career, Bernstein was a three-time finalist at Maple Grove Raceway, winning in 1988, the fourth year of his consecutive NHRA Funny Car championships.
He drove to victory circle twice during his Top Fuel tenure, 1992 and 1996, and was runner-up in 1997, 2001, and 2002.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the Toyo Tires Nationals begins Friday, Aug. 17 at 4 p.m. with a second session at 7 p.m. There are two Saturday qualifying runs scheduled at noon and 3 p.m. Top Fuel will kick-off Sunday’s eliminations 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 FN - Free stock quotes, stock market news & personal finance.
