Tue, 29 Sep 2009, 11:26 PM Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel Team - Memphis Advance

Courtesy of Susie Arnold

MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- Brandon Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster, has finished in the final four the past three years at the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals. The Kenny Bernstein-owned team is hoping for a final round showing this year when they compete Oct. 2-4 at Memphis Motorsports Park.

"We have qualified well at Memphis these past three years," explained Brandon. "We were No. 3 qualifier in 2006, No. 2 in '07, and No. 1 last year. We need to continue to qualify well because now that we're in the playoffs we get additional qualifying round points for the top three elapsed times in each session. Those points add up.

"But we also need to get to the trophy round on race day. We are mid-way, or race three of the six-race playoffs, so the pressure is on to bring your A game to the line every time. You pretty much have to swing for the fences each time, but you have to be very calculated in doing so.

"We're under pressure so that every single time you pull to the starting line, points are on the line."

Bernstein and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team have four runner-up finishes so far this season.

"As we head into the final races of the season we are winding down our association with Budweiser," said Brandon. "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. In 2010 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 next season in this tough economic climate shows the value of our sport," said team owner and six-time NHRA champion 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."

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals begins Friday, Oct. 2 at 3 p.m. with a second round of qualifying at 5:30 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, noon and 3 p.m., with eliminations scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.

O'REILLY MID-SOUTH NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying - Oct. 3 - ESPN2
10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. ET
NHRA Race Day - Oct. 4 - ESPN2
11-11:30 a.m. ET
Eliminations - Oct. 4 - ESPN2
7 - 10 p.m. ET

Budeweiser Lager Lesson: In the mid-nineteenth century, German-American brewers perfected the crisp, refreshing beer style now called American lager, changing not only Americans' choice of beers, but how and where Americans enjoyed beer, ultimately converting America into a country of beer lovers.

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