Top Fuel pilot Brandon Bernstein and the Kenny Bernstein-owned Budweiser/Lucas Oil team are looking
to end the grueling four-in-a-row Countdown to 1 swing on a high note when they compete at the
Virginia Nationals Oct. 9-11.
The NHRA Full Throttle circuit is entering the final three events to determine the
season's champions.
"Besides challenging for the championship, we have other motives," said second-generation driver
Bernstein. "We are also entering the final three events with our Budweiser red dragster. We would
like to drive to victory circle to help celebrate our family's 30th anniversary with Bud.
"Additionally this will be the last year the NHRA circuit makes a stop in Richmond, so
we'd like to add Virginia Motorsports to the list of tracks where we've scored a victory.
"We have a very competitive team and we've accumulated some valuable points under the
new qualifying scenario. We need to go rounds on Sunday."
Bernstein and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team have four runner-up finishes so far this season.
"In 2010 we'll be flying the blue colors and logo of Copart and we'll unveil a totally
new look with the Copart/Lucas Oil dragster," said Brandon.
"Being able to announce a sponsor for next season in this tough economic climate shows the value of
our sport," said team owner and six-time NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein. "We owe a debt of gratitude
to NHRA for helping to get Copart interested in our sport, and to our friend and Vacaville, Calif.
restaurateur Joe Murdaca who networked with us to get Copart president Jay Adair to the race in
Sonoma and used his knowledge of our team and our sport to help solidify the deal."
"We are very excited that the Lucas family will join us in our new venture, marking their ninth
year of association with our family's race team."
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the Virginia Nationals begins Friday, Oct. 9 at 2
p.m. with a second session at 4:30 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 12:30 p.m. and 3
p.m., with final eliminations scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.
VIRGINIA NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY
Qualifying - Oct. 10 - ESPN2
10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. ET
NHRA Race Day - Oct. 11 - ESPN2
11-11:30 a.m.
Eliminations - Oct. 11 - ESPN2
7 - 10 p.m.
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.
