BERNSTEIN SETS TRACK RECORD SPEED IN BRAINERD,
LOGS SIXTH SEMIFINAL FINISH OF THE SEASON

BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 15) – Brandon Bernstein and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel team logged their sixth semifinal finish this season in the Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. Notable in eliminations was the team’s quarterfinals low elapsed time of the round, coupled with a track record speed.

Bernstein was the No. 7 qualifier with a 4.609-second elapsed time at 320.20 miles per hour.

Rhonda Hartman-Smith was Bernstein’s first round race day opponent. The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team ran the second quick elapsed time of the round, eliminating a tire-smoking Hartman-Smith with a 4.657-second elapsed time at 320.28 mph.

“We were the second pair of race cars to go down the track and when we saw tire smoke out of the first pair, we backed the tune-up down so we could get by first round,” said Bernstein. “It was a good adjustment by Tim (Richards, crew chief).”

In the quarterfinals, the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team eliminated Scott Kalitta with low elapsed time of the round, 4.600 seconds, and a track record speed of 327.35 mph. Kalitta ran a very competitive 4.672/315.05.

"The cloud cover came out for this round,” said Bernstein, “and we had to step it up a bit. It was a great tune-up by Tim, a big round win for us, and we've got another big round coming up."

The semifinals were a pivotal match between Bernstein and series leader Tony Schumacher. It was a good duel until about half track where the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster began to haze the tires that allowed Schumacher to transfer to the final.

Bernstein remains in third place in POWERade championship standings, 53 points out of second, and 175 points out of the lead.

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BERNSTEIN AND BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM FEELING
PRESSURE AS NHRA TOUR HEADS TO BRAINERD

BRAINERD, Minn.-- With the West Coast Swing completed, the NHRA POWERade circuit makes its 16th stop at Brainerd International Raceway Aug. 13-15 for the Lucas Oil Nationals. With eight races remaining before the $400,000 check is distributed to the Top Fuel champion, the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team is feeling the pressure.

“On the surface of it, many teams would love to have had the season we’ve had so far,” said driver Brandon Bernstein. “We’ve won three races, finished runner-up once, but we’ve got some ground to make up. Though we’re definitely within striking distance, we’re still third in point standings going into Brainerd.

“This team is capable of a hard charge at the end. When dad was substituting last year after I was injured, the team won four of the last five events. That says a lot for my dad, Tim (Richards, crew chief) and the team.

“I need to keep on my game and not make mistakes. We’re coming down the long chute with eight races remaining and it’s going to get more intense than it has been, and it’s been tough all season.”

Bernstein won in Phoenix, Houston, and Topeka this year, and he was runner-up in Chicago in May. To date, the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team also has four semifinal finishes.

Brandon has followed in his famous father’s footsteps as the second generation “King of Speed”, currently holding the NHRA world speed record of 333.41 miles per hour. Father Kenny Bernstein earned the moniker “King of Speed” when he became the first driver to surpass the 300 miles-per-hour barrier in 1992.

Kenny Bernstein: King of Speed book just released. Kenny Bernstein and ESPN commentator Bill Stephens collaborated on this book which is a story in pictures and words of the remarkable racing career of Kenny Bernstein, one of the marquee names in motorsports. The 160-page, 10” x 10” hardcover book retails for $24.95 and can be found at major bookstores. It is also available at amazon.com and sportspublishingllc.com.

Lucas Oil Nationals Qualifying: Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, August 13 at 3:30 p.m., with a second session at 6:30 p.m. There are two rounds of qualifying Saturday, noon and 3 p.m., with eliminations beginning Sunday at 11 a.m.

LUCAS OIL NATIONALS
BRAINERD, MINN.

TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying – Aug. 14 – ESPN2

8 – 10 p.m. ET

Eliminations – August 15 – ESPN2

7 – 10 p.m. ET