Brandon Bernstein, one of eight Top Fuel drivers vying for a spot in the Countdown to Four in the new NHRA Countdown to the Championship format, will debut a special Budweiser Countdown paint scheme at Memphis Motorsports Park.

The O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals Sept. 14-16 is the second event, or the halfway point, before the four who are eligible to challenge for the coveted NHRA Top Fuel Championship are named. The elite field of drivers will be those who are the top four in points.

“We are so excited to debut a new Budweiser Countdown paint scheme at Memphis,” said Bernstein.  “As far as I know, we’re the only team that will have a specialty car for the ‘playoffs’ and we owe a big tip of the helmet to Budweiser for initiating the concept.  It’s the car we’ll campaign for the five remaining races this season.”

“Brandon and the Bud King team are long-time partners, and Brandon is having an amazing season with a career-best five wins,” said Randall Blackford, director of Budweiser marketing.  “Week in and week out, Brandon is a tremendous ambassador for Budweiser and for the sport, and we’re excited to celebrate his push for the title with a special red and silver-flamed paint scheme for the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster.”

Brandon Bernstein, one of eight Top Fuel drivers vying for a spot in the Countdown to Four in the new NHRA Countdown to the Championship format, will debut a special Budweiser Countdown paint scheme at Memphis Motorsports Park.

The O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals Sept. 14-16 is the second event, or the halfway point, before the four who are eligible to challenge for the coveted NHRA Top Fuel Championship are named. The elite field of drivers will be those who are the top four in points.

“We are so excited to debut a new Budweiser Countdown paint scheme at Memphis,” said Bernstein.  “As far as I know, we’re the only team that will have a specialty car for the ‘playoffs’ and we owe a big tip of the helmet to Budweiser for initiating the concept.  It’s the car we’ll campaign for the five remaining races this season.”

“Brandon and the Bud King team are long-time partners, and Brandon is having an amazing season with a career-best five wins,” said Randall Blackford, director of Budweiser marketing.  “Week in and week out, Brandon is a tremendous ambassador for Budweiser and for the sport, and we’re excited to celebrate his push for the title with a special red and silver-flamed paint scheme for the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster.”

“The Top Fuel field is very competitive and you hold your breath until you know you’ve qualified for the event,” said Bernstein.  “Once you’re in the field, then the pressure begins to go rounds. I don’t think you’re going to have any room to stumble.”

Bernstein is fourth in point standings heading into the O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals, 86 points out of the lead.  That equates to four rounds and some qualifying points.

“We’re all pretty much bunched up at the moment, but the spread will grow after the Memphis race no doubt,” continued Bernstein.  “The Friday night qualifying session traditionally presents the best conditions for the quickest runs which are important in getting seeded in the field.  A bobble there could mean you’ll be on the outside looking in on Sunday morning.

“Tim (Richards crew chief) has done an awesome job tuning us to five wins this year, and we’re hoping the new Countdown paint scheme on the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Dragster will provide a little more momentum heading into the final races of the season.

“We’re pumped!”

“We are celebrating our 28th season of Budweiser sponsorship,” said team owner and six-time NHRA world champion Kenny Bernstein.  “Our contract with them is extended to 2009 which will become the longest consecutive major team sponsorship in autosports history at 30 years.  The Countdown paint scheme concept demonstrates their high level support for our program.  We’re very fortunate to be a member of the Anheuser-Busch corporate family.”