Wed, 23 Sep 2009, 01:10 AM Brandon Bernstein Looking for Second Victory at Hometown Track

Courtesy of Susie Arnold

ENNIS, Tex. -- Second-generation driver Brandon Bernstein looks forward to the NHRA's annual return to the Texas Motorplex where he can spend the weekend catching up with family and friends between sub-four-second dashes in the 8,000-horsepower Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster owned by his father, six-time champion Kenny.

Bernstein, who qualified fourth for the Countdown to 1 will be competing Sept. 25-27 at the O'Reilly Super Start Batteries Nationals in a four-in-a-row whistle stop tour in the South.

"The Dallas event is the second of six events in the Countdown to 1," explained Brandon, "and there's a lot on the line. Besides trying to win the event, there's more pressure to qualify in the top three in each of the four qualifying sessions because the top three qualifiers are awarded extra bonus points.

"So it's essential that you bring your A game to the starting line every qualifying session and every round on race day. In qualifying, if you are the No. 1 guy, you earn an additional 12 points which might be the difference in a place in the point standings.

"With all the pressure you need to stay cool but focused."

Bernstein has four runner-up finishes this season and says the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team is hungry for a win. Brandon won in Dallas in 2006, adding to the trophies his father earned here in 1986 and 2003.

"As we head into the final races of the season we are winding down our association with Budweiser," said Brandon. "It will be the end of an era for Budweiser and the Bernstein family. After three decades and the longest team-sponsor association in all of autosports, the familiar red Bud dragster will be retired as Bud is not returning next year. Next year 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."

"Being able to announce a sponsor for 2010 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."

Brandon Bernstein, who was born in Dallas, definitely inherited the Bernstein competitive gene and his father's winning spirit becoming a soccer star at Jesuit College Preparatory School where his team was undefeated during his four years of high school.

Following high school, Bernstein told his father he wanted to join his legendary Budweiser Top Fuel team. His father maintained that above all else, Brandon must first attend college and get a degree.

Brandon chose Texas A & M and graduated in 1986 with a degree in kinesiology/sports management.

Armed with the required sheepskin, Brandon got the nod from his father to join the team, but he was give only menial tasks in the beginning.

"I did a lot of cleaning," said Brandon. "I pretty much didn't touch the race car when I came onboard. Dad felt it was important that I earn my way from the bottom up. There was no silver spoon."

The younger Bernstein finally got the nod from his father to assume the driving duties at the beginning of the 2003 season. Holding the distinction of having the most successful career launch of any other Top Fuel or Funny Car driver in NHRA history, Brandon won five of his first 13 starts. His first victory came in his second-ever start in Phoenix, ironically the same track where his father earned his first Top Fuel victory.

To date, Brandon has scored 17 career victories.

Nitro qualifying for the O'Reilly Super Start Batteries Nationals begins Friday, Sept.25 at 2:45 p.m. with a second session at 5:30 p.m. There are two Saturday qualifying sessions, noon and 3:15 p.m. with eliminations scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.

O'REILLY SUPER START BATTERIES NATIONALS TELEVSION ADVISORY
NHRA Race Day - Sept. 27 - ESPN2
11-11:30 a.m. ET
Qualifying - Sept. 27 - ESPN2
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET
Eliminations - Sept. 27 - 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.