SECOND ROUND DISAPPOINTMENT STRIKES BUDWEISER/LUCAS OIL TEAM IN CHICAGO

JOLIET, Ill. (June 12) – Though the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team continues to run competitive numbers, it was a short race day for driver Brandon Bernstein and the crew at the CarQuest Auto Parts Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.

Brandon was seeded third in the Top Fuel field with a 4.527/328.94 after four qualifying sessions in hot, humid conditions.

"The car left with the front end up and it kept it up for a long time,” said Bernstein describing his last qualifying run, which was the quickest of that session. “When it came down it was really hauling. It even threw the blower belt off, but we got the early numbers we needed on that run. A tip of the helmet to Tim, Kim and the team.”

The team felt they had a handle on the tune-up for eliminations, but Sunday’s race day conditions were overcast and much cooler, sending crew chiefs scrambling for a new tuning combination.

Despite many first round upsets, the Brew Crew recorded a very competitive 4.535/331.61 to defeat Tim Cullinan, who smokes the tires, 10.438/84.11.

Announcer Bob Frey described the run as a thing of beauty.

An excited Bernstein exited the car at the finish line with an enthusiastic, "That run was really straight. It really hauled down the track and I knew it was going to be fast."

Bernstein’s elapsed time won lane choice over Larry Dixon in the quarterfinals. In a photo finish, it was Dixon to the stripe first with a 4.541/328.86 to Bernstein’s 4.523/329.43.

“Neither of us knew who won when we crossed the finish line,” said Bernstein. “Our team did an excellent job today, and the difference in reaction times lies on my shoulders. I feel bad that I let the team down.”

Bernstein is seventh in NHRA POWERADE Top Fuel point standings.

SECOND GENERATION DRIVER BRANDON BERNSTEIN HOPES TO CAPITALIZE ON FATHER’S TOP FUEL SUCCESS IN CHICAGO

JOLIET, Ill. -- The Kenny Bernstein-owned Budweiser/Lucas Oil team is hoping that the NHRA CarQuest Auto Parts Nationals June 10-12 will be the breakthrough event that will catapult them to victory circle.

“We have been so close to getting to the final round these last few races,” said driver Brandon Bernstein. “We just haven’t had the breaks on race day. We’ve got the car. It runs great. You can’t pinpoint one thing. It’s been a roller coaster. We gained three positions in Top Fuel point standings in that last three-in-a-row in May, going into Route 66 Raceway which is the first of another three-in-a-row string. So we are headed in the right direction.

“We had a lot of rain delay at the last three races,” continued Bernstein, “and a lot of late nights at the track trying to get qualifying rounds in and races completed. It was a grueling schedule for everyone, but our team is focused and they’re putting in all the effort that’s humanly possible. After the last three races we headed to Chicago for a day of testing.

“The real test will begin again June 10 when qualifying begins at Route 66 Raceway. This track has been good to us. Dad has four victories at this track, more than any other driver. We celebrated a double victory here in 2001 when I was driving the A Fuel dragster and dad was on his way to his sixth NHRA world championship.

“Last May we were runner-up and also set a national speed record at that time of 333.41 mph in Chicago. We obviously have the formula for success.”

Bernstein, who had the most successful career launch of any other Top Fuel or Funny Car driver in history, winning five of his first 13 starts, is currently sixth in NHRA POWERade Top Fuel standings and is looking for his first win of the 2005 season.

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, June 10 at 4:30 p.m. with a second session at 8 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 12:30 and 4 p.m., with final eliminations scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.

Bernstein to attend Bud NHRA Hot Rod Rally. Brandon Bernstein will sign autographs from 7 – 8 p.m. Thursday, June 9, at the Bud NHRA Hod Rod Rally downtown Joliet Cruise Night. Classic Corvettes, nostalgic Hot Rods and NHRA show cars will be on display at downtown Joliet-Van Buren Plaza, Chicago Street between Clinton and Jefferson Streets. Big John Howell and the Born to Boogie Band will provide musical entertainment.

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying – June 11 – ESPN2
6 – 7 p.m. ET

Eliminations – June 12 – ESPN2
3 – 6 p.m. ET