Brandon Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster, comes to the Thunder Valley Nationals May 15-17 on the heels of a runner-up finish at Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis.

It was his third final round showing in seven events.

“We would like to seal the deal in Bristol,” said Bernstein.  “We have performed well in Bristol in the past, and it’s a track where we really enjoy competing. 

Brandon Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster, comes to the Thunder Valley Nationals May 15-17 on the heels of a runner-up finish at Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis.

It was his third final round showing in seven events.

“We would like to seal the deal in Bristol,” said Bernstein.  “We have performed well in Bristol in the past, and it’s a track where we really enjoy competing. 

“Our Bud/Lucas Oil team has proven it’s a contender and our performance has been consistent, so we’ve been riding in the top three in NHRA Full Throttle point standings for the season.  We’re within striking distance of the lead and we’re hungry for a win.”

Bernstein is a two-time winner at Bristol Dragway, having won the Top Fuel trophies in 2003, his rookie season, and 2007.  He was also the No. 1 qualifier in 2003 and 2005.  In fact, after he won the 2003 event in Bristol, he took the lead in point standings.

“If the cards fell just right, we could take the point lead again,” said Bernstein.  “We’re only 44 points out of the lead, and 26 out of second place.  It isn’t going to be easy, but if we could put the magic together, it isn’t that much of a long shot.

Besides the three runner-up finishes this season, the Kenny Bernstein-owned Budweiser/Lucas Oil team has two final four showings.

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.”


KENNY BERNSTEIN INDUCTED INTO MOTORSPORTS H.O.F. - Kenny Bernstein was named as one of seven who will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in its annual ceremony Wednesday, August 12 at the Fillmore Theater in Detroit.  Each inductee receives the Hall of Fame’s prestigious original bronze statuette “Horsepower” award. 

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