DENVER, Colo. (July 18) – With new rules enforced for Top Fuel and Funny Cars for the Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway, the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team adapted quickly in rain-shortened qualifying sessions.

Brandon Bernstein clinched his fourth Bud Shootout No. 1 qualifying spot of the season with a 4.677-second elapsed time at 308.43 mph.

The fields were set after two Saturday qualifying sessions as rain washed out Friday’s scheduled runs.

“We have a new tire effective this event, and we lost two qualifying runs because of rain,” said Bernstein. “So it’s been a bit of a struggle for everybody.

“On the last qualifying run, the car shook pretty violently when it left the starting line,” said Bernstein of the run that won him the pole. “I lost vision for a second, and I almost shut it off, but the tire shake cleared up and I was able to drive through it. It turned out to be a great run.”

Qualifying was run in cool, overcast conditions and on race day, the sun came out and track temperatures soared. Crew chiefs had to make educated guesses for first round tune ups.

Bernstein faced Don Sosenka in the opening round and won the match with low elapsed time of the first round, 4.874 seconds, at 301.13 mph defeating Sosenka’s 8.251/91.20.

"That was a great call by Tim Richards," said Brandon. "I didn't think it would run that well. We're happy to be by the first round."

The quarterfinals paired Bernstein against the series leader, Doug Kalitta. In a critical duel, Bernstein emerged the winner with a consistent 4.885/295.21 to Kalitta’s 4.979/285.71.

“That was a pivotal round for us,” said Bernstein. “We needed that win to gain some points. Kalitta’s team is tough and they are a big part of the championship dogfight.”

Scott Kalitta, Doug’s cousin, was Bernstein’s challenger in the semifinals. Despite a 4.792/299.93 showing by the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team, Kalitta collected the round win with a very close 4.805/308.43.

“I don’t know what’s worse,” said Bernstein, “losing this way or with a red light. I feel bad for the team. Tim (Richards, crew chief) made some great (tuning) calls today.”

Bernstein is third in NHRA POWERade championship standings, 51 points out of the lead as the series heads to Seattle next weekend, in the second event of the three-race West Coast Swing.

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DENVER, Colo. – The Mopar Mile-High Nationals July 16-18 at Bandimere Speedway will mark the first gathering of the NHRA racing fraternity since the accident June 24 in St. Louis that claimed the life of Top Fuel pilot Darrell Russell.

Safety concerns have been foremost on the minds of NHRA officials and the Top Fuel and Funny Car contingent. NHRA has mandated immediate interim rule changes that require roll cage shielding for Top Fuel dragsters and a new Goodyear slick for Top Fuel and Funny Car competitors.

“First of all, we are still reeling with the loss of Darrell,” said sophomore Budweiser/Lucas Oil pilot Brandon Bernstein. “We feel the new rules will be very helpful from the safety aspect. It’s just unfortunate that Darrell’s accident occurred.

“It’s my understanding that the Goodyear tire is from the same mold as the 2002 tire except it will be made with a stronger bead and new compound.

“I think the speeds we’re running now, 330, 333, are certainly fast enough. We don’t need to go faster and if we can contain the speed bracket we’re in now and the new tire works well and we can stay safe, we’ll have good side-by-side racing for the fans.

“Denver will be an interesting race. The Top Fuel championship chase is very close with only 48 points separating first and third places. The Denver tune-up is a one-off anyway because of the altitude, and now the crew chiefs will have a new dynamic to adjust to: the new tire. In particular, the West Coast swing, the three races we have back-to-back, could be very interesting.

“Because of the altitude and the tune-up in Denver, I don’t expect we’ll approach the 330 speed mark at all. In fact the track record speed at Bandimere Speedway is 318.54 mph. So the Mopar Mile-High Nationals might be a good ground-breaking race for the debut of the tire.”

Bernstein spent the majority of the first half of the 2004 POWERade season in second place, briefly led the point standings, and now sits in the No. 3 slot, definitely within range of the lead or second place.

“It’s going to be critical to be able to go rounds,” said Bernstein. “This is predictably going to be a horse race to the finish between three of us and possibly five of us if the front markers have a few bad race days.”

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) Qualifying: Friday, July 18, 5 and 8 p.m.;
Saturday, July 19, 3 and 6 p.m. Final Eliminations Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

MOPAR MILE-HIGH NATIONALS
TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying – July 17 – ESPN2
8-10 p.m. ET

Eliminations – July 18 – ESPN2
9-11:30 p.m. ET