BERNSTEIN RUNS FASTEST EVER DURING PRE-SEASON
TESTING IN PHOENIX; LOOKS FORWARD TO SEASON OPENER IN POMONA

POMONA, Calif. – In preparation for the season-opening CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals Feb. 10-13, the Kenny Bernstein-owned Budweiser/Lucas Oil team underwent several days of testing at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz.

Over the Jan. 28-30 weekend, the red team clocked some very consistent passes.  Their best showing was a 4.519/330.63, third quick in the elapsed time department, but the fastest pass ever at the Phoenix track.

“We knew it was a quick run,” said driver Brandon Bernstein.  “The finish line seems to come at you so fast, and there’s just a certain sensation you feel when you run that fast.  It’s probably the most awesome rush we’ll ever experience.

“This run was made while the sun was on the track so we were stoked about the numbers.

“If our testing performance is a good barometer, then we should be right in the hunt this season. 

“The big challenge for all the teams this year is trying to shorten the learning curve on the new MSD ignition.  Tim (Richards, crew chief), Kim (Richards) and the team are working on getting a baseline.  The new electronic technology will react and respond differently than the air system we’ve used through the years.  Tim’s feeling is that it will be great once we learn all of its intricacies.

“Championships are always about consistency and it will be key to have a good showing at the first couple of races so that you’re not trying to play catch-up from the start.

“From a driver’s perspective, we have a whole new level of feeling comfortable in the cockpit.  There’s a difference for me from this time last year when we were returning after having been off recuperating from our accident in Englishtown in 2003, and getting a whole season under our belts.

“We feel our timing is better, our burnouts are more consistent; it’s just a much more natural feeling.”

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals begins Thursday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m., followed by a second session Friday at 3 p.m.  There are two nitro qualifying sessions scheduled Saturday at noon and 3:30 p.m.  Top Fuel will kick-off final eliminations Sunday at 11 a.m.

Kenny Bernstein nominated for American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Newsmaker of the Half-Century Award:  Bernstein is one of 12 nominees for the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association’s Newsmaker of the Half-Century Award.  The other nominees include:  Mario Andretti, Dale Earnhardt, John Force, A.J. Foyt, the France family, Jeff Gordon, Dan Gurney, the Hulman-George family, Wally Parks, Roger Penske and Richard Petty. Nominees were selected by AARWBA’s Board of Directors from an original list of 50 “who’s who in motorsports.”  The full AARWBA membership will vote for one of the 12 nominees and the winner will be announced at a public ceremony this May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“This is a fabulous honor,” said Bernstein.  “I’m still pinching myself to make sure I heard this correctly.  To be whittled down to the final 12 from the mega hit list of motorsports’ greatest newsmakers is unbelievable.  And it’s very noteworthy that the drag racing side makes up 25 percent of the final nominees.  We’re thrilled not only for ourselves, but for the recognition for our sport.”

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS WINTERNATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY 

Qualifying – Feb. 12 – ESPN2

10:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. ET

Eliminations – Feb. 13 – ESPN2

7 – 10 p.m. ET