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CONCORD, N.C. -- Last year the biggest buzz in NHRA drag racing was arguably the new state-of-the-art zMAX Dragway@ Concord. This year the Bruton Smith-owned facility has raised the bar and will present a four-wide racing exhibition prior to the final round of eliminations at the Carolina Nationals, and in 2010 it will host two NHRA national events. The Kenny Bernstein Racing team has a big adrenaline rush as they head into the first race of the playoffs Sept. 18-20 at the race track nicknamed "the Bellagio of drag strips." There are two reasons for high morale: first is that the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team qualified No. 3 and made a final four appearance in the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, regaining their fourth place standing in Full Throttle Top Fuel points. Secondly, team owner Kenny Bernstein announced that Copart ,Inc., an online vehicle auction company will sponsor the team in 2010. The contract was signed during live Mac Tools U.S. Nationals coverage on ESPN2 by Bernstein and Copart president Jay Adair, as driver Brandon looked on. "Our team is pumped," said Brandon. "Everybody knows that the team is going forward next year so that's a load off everyone's mind. Also Rob Flynn, our crew chief, along with all the members of our team, have put in a lot of hours chasing a clutch gremlin we've been fighting recently. We think we've turned the corner there and are enthusiastic about a strong performance in Charlotte and a run at the championship. "The track at Charlotte is excellent and the fans will be treated to some great side-by-side racing. The four-wide exhibition is going to be awesome. There is bone-jarring, ear-shattering reverberation from two nitro cars! I can't wait to see what it's like with four. This display will be a real crowd pleaser! "As we head into the final six races of the season we are winding down our association with Budweiser. It will be the end of an era for Budweiser and the Bernstein family. After three decades and the longest team-sponsor association in all of autosports, the familiar red Bud dragster will be retired as Bud is not returning next year. Next year we'll be flying the blue colors and logo of Copart and we'll unveil a totally new look with the Copart/Lucas Oil dragster." "Being able to announce a sponsor for 2010 in this tough economic climate shows the value of our sport," said team owner Kenny Bernstein. "We owe a debt of gratitude to NHRA for helping to get Copart interested in our sport, and to our friend and Vacaville, Calif. restaurateur Joe Murdaca who networked with us to get Copart president Jay Adair to the race in Sonoma and used his knowledge of our team and our sport to help solidify the deal." "We are very excited that the Lucas family will join us in our new venture, marking their ninth year of association with our family's race team." Full Throttle points were reset for the top 10 contenders in each of the professional categories that will participate in Countdown to 1 competition. The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team will head into qualifying 50 points out of the lead. Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the Carolina Nationals begins Friday at 3:30 p.m. followed by a second session at 7 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, noon and 3:30 p.m., with final eliminations beginning Sunday at noon.
CAROLINA NATIONALS TELEVISION SCHEDULE
Qualifying - Sept. 19 - ESPN2 Budweiser Lager Lesson: Budweiser is brewed with the finest two and six-row barley malt, a blend of European and American aroma hops, our own Budweiser yeast and the freshest American brewer's rice, producing a medium-bodied, crisp and pure beer brewed for the perfect balance of flavor and refreshment.
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