Sun, 18 May 2003, 02:45 PM Brandon Bernstein Okay, But Sore

By Larry Sullivan Kenny May Drive in Topeka

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. - Brandon Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center for observation following an accident during the first round of eliminations. Bernstein's dragster lost traction near the starting line and veered out of control when he attempted to regain traction. Bernstein's machine climbed the left wall and came to rest, upright, on the grass infield.

Brandon Bernstein

Bernstein was conscious and alert while the NHRA Safety Safari extracted him from the vehicle. He was complaining of lower back pain, but had full movement in his extremities while the Safety Safari cut him from the car.

The Budweiser team is now faced with putting together a new dragster for the upcoming event in Topeka, Kansas. The O'Reilly Summer Nationals will start Friday. Brandon's father and team owner, six-time NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein may have to hop in the driver's seat to help.

"We just heard from Kenny and everything is checking out just fine with Brandon," Budweiser crew chief Tim Richards said. "Brandon is at a great hospital and they are making sure everything is fine. We are going to put a new car together here and drive back to Indianapolis tomorrow. We'll test in Indy on Tuesday and if Brandon is not 100 percent up for it, then Kenny will get in the car and test. We are all hoping Brandon will be ready to go for Topeka next weekend, but if he is too sore or something else is keeping him from being 100 percent ready to get back in, Kenny will be ready."