Tue, 15 Oct 2002, 09:21 AM Brandon Bernstein Meets Requirements for Top Fuel License

Courtesy of Susie Arnold Runs 4.62 Seconds at 322 mph

ENNIS, Texas -- Brandon Bernstein, driving the Budweiser King/Lucas Oil dragster at the Texas Motorplex, made two very competitive runs in testing today, meeting the criteria to earn his Top Fuel license.

NHRA mandates that a Top Fuel applicant must perform two runs in excess of 5.20 seconds and two runs in excess of 275 miles per hour. Bernstein’s two runs, 4.621 seconds at 322.23 miles per hour, and 4.699 seconds at 320.62 miles per hour, far exceeded the requirements.

“It was an awesome, unbelievable experience,” said an excited Bernstein. “The first run (4.621/322.23) was picture perfect. I haven’t been in the car since my first test session the day after the Gainesville race back in March. The car likes to move down track, so I corrected it a bit. Boy, it was hauling the mail!

“In the second run (4.699/320.62) it moved toward the centerline, so I had to straighten it out. This thing just rockets! When the clutch comes in it’s a ride! I’m on cloud nine right now,” concluded Bernstein.

Brandon will assume the driving chores for his father, six-time NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein, in the 2003 season.