"We accomplished our first goal, which was to clinch a spot in the playoffs," said Bernstein. "We have a little breathing room right now to fine-tune our combination before the Countdown begins. That will give us Brainerd, Reading and the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals to try to accumulate more points and round wins. We want to stay in the top five before the points are reset for Charlotte which is the first of six races in the dogfight that will determine the season's champion."

Bernstein claimed the No. 9 qualifying spot at the Fram Autolite Nationals with a 3.898/298.40.

In the opening round of eliminations, Bernstein and Tony Schumacher faced off against each other. Bernstein had a slight reaction time edge out of the gate, and it was a close race to the 1000-foot mark with Schumacher illuminating the win light 3.872/307.93 vs. Bernstein's 3.978/302.21.

"We hazed the tires a little on that run," said Bernstein. "We've chased a bit of a gremlin these last couple of races, but we're seeing some progress and think we're coming out on the other side. "We

have a two-week break before Brainerd which will give the team some time to comb through all the systems and analyze the data they've gathered on the West Coast Swing."

The Budweiser/Lucas Oil team remains fourth in Full Throttle Top Fuel point standings.

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."

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.

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.

Courtesy of Susie Arnold