ENNIS, Texas (Sept. 26) – The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team set top speed of the O’Reilly Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex before a dropped cylinder in the second round signaled the end of the day in one of the event’s closest matches.

Brandon Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster, qualified third with a 4.578-second elapsed time at 325.45 mph.

In the opening round of eliminations, Bernstein faced off against Rhonda Hartman-Smith and won the round with a 4.610-second elapsed time, second quick of the round, and top speed of the meet, 327.59 mph, to Hartman-Smith’s 4.721//315.49.

Bernstein advanced to the quarterfinals to challenge Scott Kalitta. Both drivers left the line with identical reaction times and were nose to nose to the finish line. In fact, finish line stop action on videotape of the run, looks too close to call. Kalitta had a narrow .0063-second margin of victory with a 4.640/320.20 to Bernstein’s 4.646/318.77.

“That was a really close race,” said Bernstein. “The incremental numbers show us slightly ahead at the 1000 foot mark, but that’s about where we dropped a cylinder and encountered engine problems. When we crossed the finish line we were running on six cylinders instead of eight.

“We had some good qualifying runs and good first round numbers. We were hoping this might be our day to go some rounds.”

Bernstein remains third in POWERade Top Fuel point standings, 82 points out of second place and 299 out of the lead.

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ENNIS, Texas – Though Brandon Bernstein is nearing the end of his sophomore year behind the wheel of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster, the O’Reilly Fall Nationals Sept. 24-26 will mark his debut as a driver in the professional category at the Texas Motorplex.

Brandon was sidelined for the last 15 races of the ‘03 season following an accident May 18 in Englishtown, New Jersey. Brandon’s father, six-time NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein took over the driving chores while his son recuperated from a back injury suffered in the New Jersey crash.

Kenny won the Dallas event last year when he went on a winning streak, claiming four victories in the final five events. Though Brandon wasn’t able to drive, he was “in the house” for this event and joined Kenny’s wife Sheryl as the team’s lead cheerleaders on the starting line sidelines.

Brandon, a star soccer player in his high school and college days, grew up in the Dallas area attending Good Shepherd grade school and Jesuit Prep before earning a degree in kinesiology from Texas A & M in 1996. His soccer team was undefeated during the four years he played at Jesuit Prep.

“Dallas is home for me,” said Bernstein. “My mom and stepfather live there, my grandparents, and a lot of my friends, many of whom will be coming out over the weekend.

“Because we lived in Dallas while I was growing up, I always got to go watch Dad race at this track.

“It was always exciting because Billy Meyer built a quick, fast track and there were many records broken there over the years.

“Last year after Dad won this event we had a great family and team celebration.

This team is overdue for some victories, so our goal is to go rounds Sunday.”

The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team has three event wins to their credit this season, along with one runner-up finish.

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the O’Reilly Fall Nationals begins

Friday, Sept. 24 at 4:30 p.m, with a second session scheduled at 7 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., with final eliminations Sunday at 11 a.m.

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 kennybernstein.com, amazon.com and sportspublishingllc.com.

O’REILLY FALL NATIONALS
TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying – September 25 – ESPN2
4- 6 p.m. ET

Eliminations – September 26 – ESPN2
11 p.m. – 1 a.m. ET