June 4, 2009: Pete Berner admits that he hasn't quite been in the same Championship form that he
was last year when he claimed the IHRA Pro Stock title. However, he also recognizes that he's
learning a lot and he's quickly finding his way back to the place where he makes winning look easy.
As work on his in-house engine program continues, Berner is continually trying new things, looking
for that extra edge. In this he's finding that success is a journey where every learning curve can
be a step in the right direction.
At this past weekend's IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals, Berner qualified respectively in the number
three spot. He ousted newcomer Glen Barrilleaux in round one, but his day was ended after round two
when he was two thousandths too quick on the tree. Berner posted the second quickest elapsed time
of the round and had opponent JR Carr covered by nearly five hundredths, but the red light cost him
the win.
"I would rather lose by being a little too quick than by being late with a .070 or .080 light,"
tells Berner. "I've been working hard to consistently be .030 or better on the tree. When that's
the case I'm probably going to be red every once in a while. Nobody can say I wasn't trying! The
car has been running good, although it's not quite where we'd like it to be. We've been trying some
new things on it. Some of them work. Some don't. This weekend we found some issues that were giving
us problems. We've got those fixed and I think we're on our way back to where we need to be.
"The Dallas facility was beautiful. It was surface to run on and it will only get better. Many
thanks to Kenny Barnes and his staff for doing a great job."
Berner now heads to US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich. which is his home stop on both the
IHRA and ADRL circuits. This weekend the facility hosts the ADRL Ford Summer Drags V. Due to a
rainout at the last ADRL event, US 131 will also play host the semi-final and final rounds of the
Quarter-Max Memphis Drags. Berner will compete in both events, giving him a chance to win two races
in one weekend.
"I'm really looking forward to the Martin event. It's our home stop on the tour. I test there
frequently and Jason and Stephanie [Peterson, track managers] are great to work with and always
have the track in top-notch condition. It doesn't matter if I'm the only car testing there, the
track is always awesome. They have great fans and it's one of the best facilities we go to, so I'm
really looking forward to it. Because I have raced and tested there a lot, I have a tune up for
that track in any weather condition. I think we have a good opportunity to do well in both events
that we'll be running this weekend."
The Memphis wrap-up will take place during Friday's qualifying session for the Summer Drags.
Qualifying will continue into Saturday and the race will be contested that night. Set for a busy
weekend, Berner is looking forward to doubling up on the eighth mile battle field.
