Bernstein Wins In Houston, Closes In On Top Fuel Point Lead

BAYTOWN, Texas (April 18) – Brandon Bernstein and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team popped the top on their second victory of the season in Bernstein’s home state of Texas at the O’Reilly Spring Nationals. It was Bernstein’s fifth career victory and he is five for five in final round appearances. With eight races to his credit in the 2003 season before his untimely accident, and five races this season, Bernstein has won five of thirteen events in his professional driving career.

Joining young Bernstein in Houston Raceway Park victory circle were his father, six-time NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein, Kenny’s father Bert Bernstein, and Brandon’s mother, Donna Easom.

“We can’t say enough about this team and the way the car is running,” said Brandon. “When we’re still racing and it’s time to go into the finals, we don’t have time to think about the statistics, but when you get a chance to digest it, it’s pretty awesome to think we’re five for five in the finals. And that tells you the performance of this team and how strong they are. I don’t think the win is going to sink in for a couple more days.

“It’s great to win in Texas and have my grandfather here, who’s fighting cancer, my mom who has never been at the races when we’ve won, my stepfather Jerry, and a lot of my Texas A & M buddies are here.

“I’m very fortunate. I’ve learned so much from my dad and from working on the team.”

Driving with the special “Born On” paint scheme, Bernstein earned his first Budweiser Shootout No. 1 qualifying spot of the 2004 season with a 4.516-second, 320.58 mph effort. It was his third career low qualifying honor.

The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team captured the opening round of competition with a 4.609/313.58 defeating John Smith who had a red light foul start.

"It was a weird feeling to hear the other car go first and I thought, 'Wow'," said Brandon. "Luckily he jumped the gun. I thought maybe I was late leaving.”

An admirable job of pedaling by Bernstein won the quarterfinal match against Cory McClenathan. McClenathan was up in smoke first, both drivers were on and off the throttle, and Bernstein won the duel with a 5.415/253.75 vs. McClenathan’s 6.135/257.58.

The team earned their way to the money round defeating Scott Kalitta in the semifinals, Bernstein’s 4.646/308.92 besting Kalitta's 4.812/250.46. Kalitta started to wisp the tires near the finish line as Bernstein lengthened his lead and crossed the stripe.

In the finals, Bernstein went wire to wire with a 4.695/271.79 to defeat a tire-smoking Clay Millican, 5.032/238.81.

Bernstein is a solid second in NHRA POWERade Top Fuel standings, 38 points out of the lead.

“We needed to gain some ground on the point leader, but it’s still a long season,” said Bernstein. “It’s going to be a tough battle, and there are a lot of good cars out there.

HOUSTON -- Brandon Bernstein will be on a two-fold mission when he comes to Houston Raceway Park for the NHRA O’Reilly Spring Nationals April 16-18.

The first goal is to win the race. Currently second in NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings, the native Texan has a win in Phoenix on his sophomore resume.

“We want to stay in the thick of the Top Fuel battle,” said Bernstein. “We put a bookmark in last year’s racing season after having to sit out over half of the year after my back injury May 18.

“Sitting on the sidelines was a very tough thing to do. But the difficultly factor this season got ratcheted up another notch or two because there are about seven really tough cars out there that are capable of winning. It’s more than just the beer wars that we’ve had in the past. It’s the beer wars plus five.”

Bernstein will also be carrying a special “Born On” paint scheme on his Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster, highlighting Anheuser-Busch’s commitment to fresh beer through the “Born On” date found on every Budweiser package.

Budweiser has designated several days in April as “Freshness Days,” offering thousands of motorsports fans an opportunity to taste Budweiser the same day it is packaged. Same-day Budweiser will be offered for purchase April 17 at Houston Raceway Park.

“We’re excited to have a special paint scheme for the month of April,” said Bernstein. “This is a big promotion for the Budweiser brand and we’re proud to help spread the message. There’s nothing that beats the taste of day fresh Bud!

“Plus this is the companion specialty paint scheme car that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. drove to victory at the Daytona 500. We’re hoping maybe there’s a little luck built into this ‘Born On’ car.”

Team owner Kenny Bernstein, who earned six NHRA world titles during his driving career, is celebrating his 25th season of Budweiser sponsorship in 2004, the longest current sponsorship affiliation in all of motorsports.

Nitro Qualifying (Top Fuel and Funny Car): Friday, April 16, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, noon and 3 p.m.

Eliminations: Sunday, April 18 at 11 a.m.

O’REILLY SPRING NATIONALS

TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying – April 17 – ESPN2

10 p.m. – midnight ET

Eliminations – April 18 – ESPN2

5 – 7 p.m. ET

Repeat Eliminations – April 23 – ESPN2

3 -5 p.m. ET