Driver Brandon Bernstein, a two-time winner in Brainerd, is hoping to earn a third victory at this track and take home his 18th career 'Wally.'

"Brainerd is a more 'laid back' venue with thousands of fans camping for the weekend on the race grounds," said Bernstein. "We have some great Budweiser fans that come back year after year to cheer us on, and of course, with Lucas Oil as the title rights sponsor, it gives us even more incentive to win.

"Our team had time following the West Coast Swing to comb through the performance data from those events and recharge their batteries before going into Brainerd. We now have three races to fine-tune our combination. Even though we've secured a spot in the Countdown, we still need to go rounds to ensure that we stay in the top five in point standings.

"The first part of the season is tough enough, but we know the Countdown to 1 will be a real dogfight with everybody bringing their A game to the starting line. It's a real team effort. The driver has to do his part in the cockpit, and the team can't afford a misstep."

Bernstein won consecutive events at Brainerd International Raceway in 2006 and 2007 and enters this year's competition in fourth place in NHRA Full Throttle 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."

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the Lucas Oil Nationals begins Friday, Aug. 15 at 3:30 p.m. with a second session at 6:15 p.m. There are two qualifying sessions Saturday, noon and 3 p.m., with final eliminations scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.

LUCAS OIL NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying - Aug. 15 - ESPN2
6 - 7 p.m. ET
NHRA Race Day - Aug. 16 - ESPN2
11-11:30 a.m. ET
Eliminations - Aug. 16 - ESPN2
10 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Budweiser Lager Lesson: Budweiser is brewed with the finest two and six-row barley malt, a blend of European and American aroma hops, our own Budweiser yeast and the freshest American brewer's rice, producing a medium-bodied, crisp and pure beer brewed for the perfect balance of flavor and refreshment.

Courtesy of Susie Arnold