The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team comes to the Mopar Mile-High Nationals July 10-12 on the heels of a
runner-up finish at Norwalk, Ohio, his fourth final round appearance this season.
The Denver event kicks off three consecutive weeks of racing known as 'The West Coast
Swing.'
"We are six races from the cut-off that determines the top 10 teams that battle for the
championship in the Countdown to 1," said Bud/Lucas Oil dragster driver Brandon Bernstein.
"This is a critical time because we're getting into the real heat of the summer and
tracks become very tricky to negotiate in hot, sunny conditions. Denver is especially tricky
because of the altitude and it requires a one-off tune-up that isn't used at any other event.
"We just came off a hot, tricky track in Norwalk and we think Rob (Flynn, crew chief)
may have gained some valuable knowledge from that experience that will benefit us going forward.
"We've hovered in the top four in point standings all season and we need to keep going
rounds in the Western Swing. Points are reset for the last six races which comprise the Countdown
to 1 and unless you stay in the top five, there's a pretty good amount of point difference that's
hard to make up in only six races.
"It's very competitive out there and the leaders are going rounds so you have to keep
up.
"We're excited that Dad will be joining us in Denver. He had back surgery May 26 and
was precluded from traveling for several weeks, so it will be nice to have him back on tour with
us. We hope he brings a little extra winning mojo with him."
In addition to four runner-up finishes, the Kenny Bernstein-owned team also has three
final four showings this season.
"We can just feel a win," said Bernstein. "This team is talented and we're just so
close."
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the Mopar Mile-High Nationals begins
Friday, July 10 at 5:30 p.m. with a second session at 8 p.m. There are two qualifying sessions
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. with final eliminations scheduled to begin Sunday at noon.
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.
MOPAR MILE-HIGH NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying - July 11 - ESPN2 10 p.m. - 12 a.m. ET
NHRA Race Day - July 12 - ESPN2 11-11:30 a.m. ET
Eliminations - July 12 - ESPN2 7 - 10 p.m. ET
Budweiser Lager Lesson: Budweiser is lagered over beechwood chips for nearly three weeks and
"kraeusened" to produce natural carbonation, resulting in our signature crisp and refreshing taste.
