BERNSTEIN MAINTAINS SIXTH PLACE IN TOP FUEL POINT STANDINGS

TOPEKA, Kansas (May 29) – Brandon Bernstein’s two-race string of semifinals appearances came to an end at the O’Reilly Summernationals. The defending Heartland Park Top Fuel winner could only watch as his hopes to earn a pass to the semifinals went up in smoke, literally.

The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team had a strong opening round against T.J. Zizzo with a picture-perfect run, 4.570/327.52 to Zizzo’s 4.818/247.88.

"That was a great run in the heat,” said Bernstein. “Tim, Kim and the team deserve all the credit.”

In the quarterfinals, Bernstein squared off against his friend Morgan Lucas, whose parents are the owners of Lucas Oil and are also a sponsor of Bernstein’s team. Bernstein was pulling away at half-track and then an unexpected rash of tire smoke set in, taking Bernstein out of contention. Ironically,

Lucas won the round with an elapsed time equal to that of Bernstein’s winning first round numbers, 4.570 with a speed of 319.90. Bernstein clocked 5.830/149.12.

“When the car loses traction and starts to smoke the tires, it’s the most helpless feeling in the world,” said Bernstein. “Morgan has a good team and we knew it was going to be a tough round.”

Bernstein qualified seventh for the O’Reilly Summernationals with a 4.570/324.51.

The Kenny Bernstein-owned dragster remains sixth in POWERade Top Fuel point standings.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Brandon Bernstein would like to freeze frame last year’s victory at Heartland Park Topeka to savor again at this year’s O’Reilly Summer Nationals May 27-29.

Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster, celebrated his sixth career victory over 2004 Memorial weekend, set a track record speed of 330.55 miles per hour, and moved into the POWERade Top Fuel point lead.

“Last year we were on an emotional high,” said the second generation driver. “I can’t describe the feeling of going 330 miles per hour. It’s just an awesome adrenaline rush. And standing on the victory podium and then celebrating with the team is a feeling you never forget.

“Our team is hungry this year. We’re right on the edge of victory. I can feel it. We’ve run some awesome numbers in these last four or five events. We just need to get over the top somehow. This team is pulling together and we’ve made some strong moves recently.

“This is the third race of a three-race string and hopefully getting so many runs in week after week will help us gain consistency.”

Bernstein qualified No. 1 at Bristol April 30 and set low elapsed time and top speed marks at that event and followed that performance with top speed of the event at Atlanta Dragway.

“The numbers we’re running show we have the combination to excel,” continued Bernstein. “We just need to go four rounds on Sunday.”

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the O’Reilly Summer Nationals begins Friday May 27 at 5 p.m. with a second session at 8 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., with eliminations scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.

O’REILLY SUMMER NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying – May 28 – ESPN2
8- 9 p.m. ET

Eliminations – May 29 – ESPN2
8-11 p.m. ET