Early Tuesday, November 19 team owner Morgan Lucas informed the team fielding his second car under the Protect The Harvest/MAV TV banner that the car would not be run during the 2014 season.  That leaves talented driver Brandon Bernstein and co-crew chiefs Joe Barlam and John DeFilippis on the sidelines, at least temporarily.

As recently as the AAA Finals Lucas reportedly told the team that things were “95 percent” for a continuation of the program, but since then there’s obviously been a change of thinking at both Morgan Lucas Racing and Lucas Oil itself.

According to Bernstein, “(Forest Lucas) has been funding this car himself for the last five years, and just didn’t want to continue.  I think he felt that with no money coming in from outside sources he just didn’t want to continue doing it himself.

Brandon Bernstein in happier times.Early Tuesday, November 19 team owner Morgan Lucas informed the team fielding his second car under the Protect The Harvest/MAV TV banner that the car would not be run during the 2014 season.  That leaves talented driver Brandon Bernstein and co-crew chiefs Joe Barlam and John DeFilippis on the sidelines, at least temporarily.

As recently as the AAA Finals Lucas reportedly told the team that things were “95 percent” for a continuation of the program, but since then there’s obviously been a change of thinking at both Morgan Lucas Racing and Lucas Oil itself.

According to Bernstein, “(Forest Lucas) has been funding this car himself for the last five years, and just didn’t want to continue.  I think he felt that with no money coming in from outside sources he just didn’t want to continue doing it himself.

“I’m very thankful that the Lucas family hired me some years ago and gave me this opportunity.  I’ve had a great time these last few years, and they’ve been great to me.  It’s just unfortunate that it’s as late in the game as it is.  There aren’t many jobs out there for drivers, so it’s tough for me to swallow right now, and it’s tough for my family, too.  Hopefully, something will come up and we’ll be all right.”

Joe Barlam (left) and John DeFilippisBernstein had made no moves in seeking another position because, he says, “I was told at Pomona that we looked good, that it was 95 percent that they were going to run the car (in 2014).  Hearing it today was a shock to me.  I haven’t even had the time to absorb this much less start talking to other team owners.  This just happened hours ago.  I’ll certainly make some calls to see what might be available.”

Bernstein has no idea what Barlam and DeFilippis might do.  “We all decided to just head home to think about this,” Bernstein said, “so I have no idea what Joe and John might do at this point. The entire team was let go.  Everyone.

“We all have a lot of personal stuff still at the shop, so I know I’ll be seeing those guys and talking with them in the next couple of days.”

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