POMONA, Calif. – “There may be no other driver on the planet more revved up for the beginning of this season than me,” said an enthusiastic Brandon Bernstein.

Bernstein, injured May 18, 2003 at Englishtown, N.J., made his 2004 comeback Feb. 6 at a test session at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix.

“The first pass we made was only about 300 feet,” explained Bernstein, “but the moment the team started the engine, and I began the roll through the burnout, it felt like I had never left the cockpit. It was a very comfortable feeling.”

Bernstein, who hit very competitive elapsed times in the 4.50s during testing, is excited about competing at the K & N Filters Winternationals Feb. 19-22 at Pomona Raceway.

“Testing is one thing,” said Bernstein, “but having the opportunity to get back in competition has me just ecstatic!”

Safety changes have been made to the McKinney Top Fuel car for Brandon’s return. They were actually incorporated for six-time champion Kenny about mid-season last year when he stepped in to substitute for his injured son. There is a molded seat designed to absorb shock and provide more back protection. The seat is manufactured by BSR Products in Mooresville, N.C. and is used by many of the NASCAR competitors from truck to Busch to Cup.

The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team also changed to a different Simpson seat belt which is made from stronger material with less stretch.

The third change was in the chassis construction of the cockpit. At the time of Brandon’s losing bout with the guardwall there was one upright supporting the center of the cockpit that actually contributed greatly to his spinal injury. Now there are two bars on the back of the seat, one on either side of the driver’s ribs.

“I’m looking forward to the benefit of these upgrades this season,” said Brandon.

“We got off to a very competitive start in 2003, winning three of the first eight events, and Dad and the team had a strong finish, winning the last four out of five events. That’s saying a whole lot for this team to be able to rally and make a come-back like that and they certainly have my respect and admiration.

“But we feel we have some unfinished business this year. With the momentum that fueled the team through the winter months, the new combination that seems to be working well, and the fire that burns within every single one of us, we’re packing our war chest, anxious to pop the top on the Top Fuel battle.

“We put a bookmark in last year’s competition. At the time of my Englishtown adventure last year, the score was 3 victories blue team, 3 victories red team. We’re just hoping to start this season off as competitively, but there are lots of other sharks swimming out there along with the blue team. Nobody’s going to have a cakewalk to the podium.

“Speaking of ‘popping the top’, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Bernstein-Budweiser sponsorship affiliation. It’s the longest current team-sponsor relationship in all of motorsports and I’m happy to pick up the torch. Maybe we can run with it for another 25 years.”