COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 13) – Kenny Bernstein’s Budweiser/Lucas Oil team debuted a new Murf McKinney chassis at the Pontiac Excitement Nationals that carried driver Brandon Bernstein to the No. 1 qualifying spot at National Trail Raceway.

It was Bernstein’s fourth Budweiser Shootout No. 1 qualifying effort, his second of the season. Bernstein clocked an outstanding 4.489-second elapsed time at 328.86 mph. His 4.489-second elapsed time became a track record.

The team’s enthusiasm and high hopes were dashed when they suffered a first round defeat by Mitch King. Bernstein began to spin the tires early in the run and King was able to score the round win.

"This was a surprise,” said Bernstein. “Our Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster was running so great all weekend long. But in the first round it smoked the tires. I got back in it, but I had to correct it back from the center line and by that time he was already by me."

With the first round defeat, Bernstein slipped to second place in NHRA championship standings, just 39 points out of the lead.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Brandon Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster, is at the top of his game and is coming to the Pontiac Excitement Nationals May 11-13 riding the momentum of his sixth career victory May 30 in Topeka, Kan., his third this season.

Son of six-time champion Kenny Bernstein, Brandon has also vaulted to the lead in the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings.

Brandon has had the most successful career launch of any other Top Fuel or Funny Car driver winning five of the first 13 events in which he competed, but it hasn’t all been a fairy tale. The rising star suffered injuries to his back May 18, 2003 in an accident in Englishtown, N.J., which sidelined him for the remainder of last season after winning three events in eight races.

Through rehabilitation and a personal exercise regime he follows religiously, he is fully recovered and returned to the cockpit of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster this season. This race will mark his first career attempt at National Trail Raceway.

“Even though this will be a new track to me, we’re fortunate that Tim (Richards, crew chief) and Kim have a lot of experience at this track,” said Bernstein. “There are a few things going on here. First of all, it’s likely to be the start of the hot weather season, which will require a different tune-up than we’ve used for the first part of the year. But championships are built on round wins, and round wins happen when teams are able to adjust to race track conditions along with weather conditions. Tim is very good at adapting to the various conditions.

“The first part of the season has been a battle between six or seven cars, and all the teams are playing hardball, so it isn’t going to be a two-car race to the end. In fact, going into Columbus, the points between one, two, and three in the points are so close that the deck could get totally reshuffled at Columbus. But we hope to be able to hang onto the point lead for awhile. Last year we had the point lead for one race, so we’ll see.”

Bernstein will preface his racing activities with a special concert Wednesday, June 9 at the PromoWest Pavilion promoted by Budweiser True Music and the Blitz new rock radio station.

Smile Empty Soul will headline the evening with special guests Moments in Grace, Steriogram, and Crossfade leading off the festivities at 5:30 p.m.

Bernstein will be on stage at 9 p.m. for a question and answer session with fans. Bernstein will introduce Smile Empty Soul as they begin their performance at 9:30 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity outside the race track to connect with existing fans and perhaps gain some new fans for our sport,” said Bernstein. “It’s right on target for Budweiser’s promotional objectives.

“I am also a big fan of Smile Empty Soul and have the CD in my personal collection. It’s going to be a thrill for me to be able to introduce the band and to have the opportunity to go on stage and have a question and answer session with the fans.”

Listen to the Blitz 99.7FM for your chance to win tickets, or visit their website at www.wbzx.com. Tickets may be purchased for $10 at www.ticketmaster.com.

Media Interview Opportunity: Media interviews with Bernstein can be scheduled between 7:30 and 8 p.m., Wed., June 9, at the concert venue. Please contact Kim Carmine at 614-846-1000, or Susan Arnold at 909-303-2008. Media interviews will take place upstairs inside the PromoWest Building. If the weather is inclement, the media interviews will take place next to the PromoWest Pavilion at Fat Eddie’s.

Qualifying for the Pontiac Excitement Nationals: Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying will begin Friday, June 11 at 5 p.m. with a second session at 8 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 1 and 3:30 p.m., with final eliminations Sunday at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION ADVISORY

PONTIAC EXCITEMENT NATIONALS PRESENTED BY SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT

Qualifying: June 12 – ESPN
7-8 p.m. ET

Eliminations: June 13 – ESPN2
3-6 p.m. ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio – NHRA rising star Brandon Bernstein, son of six-time champion Kenny, will appear Wednesday, June 9 at the PromoWest Pavilion in conjunction with a special concert promoted by Budweiser True Music and the Blitz new rock radio station.

Smile Empty Soul will headline the evening with special guests Moments in Grace, Steriogram, and Crossfade leading off the festivities at 5:30 p.m.

New rock artist Smile Empty Soul has recently released its album featuring hit single “Bottom of a Bottle”.

Bernstein, who has had the most successful professional career launch of any Top Fuel or Funny Car driver in NHRA history, will be on stage at 9 p.m. for a question and answer session with fans. Bernstein will introduce Smile Empty Soul as they begin their performance at 9:30 p.m.

Listen to the Blitz 99.7FM for your chance to win tickets, or visit their website at www.wbzx.com. You may purchase tickets for $10 at www.ticketmaster.com.