The Kenny Bernstein -owned Budweiser/Lucas Oil team has sustained a position in the top four Top Fuel point standings all season.

"It's critical to stay as high in the standings as we can," said driver Brandon Bernstein, "because the points are reset at the start of the final six races. With so few races remaining, it's tough to make up rounds and points.

"Our team is a legitimate challenger each time we go to the starting line. But what might turn the tables and reshuffle the deck is that we're about to head into the real hot summer months which require a different tune-up. Hot, slick tracks require a lot of tuning finesse."

Bernstein has three runner-up finishes to his credit this season and three final four showings.

"Dad is at home recovering from back surgery," said Brandon. "We miss him being out here with us, but he's planning to join the team in Denver in July. He's getting stronger each day. While he's home he listens to Bob Frey on the NHRA audiocast on the internet so he is hearing the competition in real time. We're in touch by phone."

With Budweiser recently announcing that they will not return in 2010 after 30 years of primary sponsorship with the Kenny Bernstein team, new sponsorship is being actively pursued.

"We are passionate about the sport of NHRA drag racing and we will continue to field a team in 2010 with Brandon as the driver if we can secure sponsorship," said six-time champion Kenny Bernstein. "But let me stress that if we don't find funding for next year, we will not be back. Racing is our business. We do not have another business to fall back on to help absorb the expense of a race team.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to all the Budweiser employees and wholesalers we've worked with through the years, as well as the fans and friends who have followed and supported us beginning with the Funny Car era.

"We believe that taking a proactive role in initiating programs and promotions that help sell product and build brand awareness has been an integral part of retaining our sponsorship associations through the years. Coupled with the success we've had on the racetrack while flying the Budweiser colors, including six NHRA championships and 85 national event victories between Brandon and me, then it's a very attractive opportunity for another sponsor.

"We think we have been one of the marquee teams in this sport for the past three decades and we bring with us 30 years of fan base. NHRA drag racing is our home."

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, June 26 at 4:30 p.m., with a second session at 7:30 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., with Top Fuel scheduled to kick-off eliminations Sunday at 11 a.m.

Notable: Kenny Bernstein was named as one of seven who will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in its annual ceremony Wednesday, August 12 at the Fillmore Theater in Detroit. Each inductee receives the Hall of Fame's prestigious original bronze statuette "Horsepower" award.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying - June 27- ESPN2 8 - 10 p.m. ET
NHRA Race Day - June 28 - ESPN2 Noon - 12:30 p.m. ET
Eliminations - June 28 - ESPN2 7 - 10 p.m. ET

Budweiser 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.

http://www.kennybernstein.com

Courtesy of Susie Arnold