NHRA NEWS: Bernstein reaches second round in solid start to Top Fuel season

It wasn't the storybook ending Brandon Bernstein wrote to end the 2012 season, but Bernstein and the ProtectTheHarvest.com/MAVTV Top Fuel dragster still got the season started on solid footing after going to the second round at the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals on Sunday. "The guys did a great job this weekend," Bernstein said. "The car was really consistent today. We're confident we can take it to the next stop, pull it out keep running the way we have." Bernstein, who won the season finale at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona last year, beat Brittany Force in the first round before falling to Shawn Langdon in the second, but the ProtectTheHarvest.com car ran in the 3.70-second range each time. "The Protect The Harvest team is just really solid," Bernstein said. "We came back right where we left off here in Pomona. It's going to be a really good season, all our guys are jelling and it's just going to be awesome." In the second round, Langdon got off the line first, but Bernstein battled all the way down the track. Langdon crossed the line first by a nose with a pass of 3.738 seconds at 327.43 mph to Bernstein's 3.775 at 323.89 mph. "It's unfortunate," Bernstein said. "You know they were going to run good. When he puts a 3.73 on you, there's not much of anything we could have done with a run like that." Against Force to open the day, Bernstein cut a .035-second reaction time at the starting line and never looked back, cruising to a 3.785-second pass at 324.44 mph. Force crossed the line in 3.822 seconds at 323.43 mph. "You spend all winter not racing, so you have a heightened feeling in the first round of eliminations at the Winternationals," he said. "You are always amped up. Brittany had a good run and it was a good race. She's going to get better with experience." Bernstein and the ProtectTheHarvest.com/MAVTV team get a chance to get right back out there as they travel to Phoenix's Firebird International Raceway and the Feb. 22-24 NHRA Arizona Nationals. "We've had a full year together with me as the driver," Bernstein said. "We're very comfortable together and are ready for great things this season."

Visit www.ProtectTheHarvest.com, www.MavTV.com and www.LucasOil.com for more info.

MAVTV driver Brandon Bernstein falls inches short of first win of season

Brandon Bernstein and the MAVTV/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster are so close to a victory in the NHRA Full Throttle Series, they can taste it.

Bernstein finished runner-up at Sunday's Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, the second time this season he has fallen just short of winning the Wally trophy. Sunday's race was especially excruciating because he fell short of beating Antron Brown by approximately 3 feet.

"The MAVTV team did an awesome job all weekend and I felt I was on my game, too," said Bernstein, who also reached the finals in Englishtown. "It's unfortunate we were on the wrong side of a good drag race. All you can say is that it's a good day, good weekend."

In the final, Brown got off the line .008 seconds quicker than Bernstein, but the race was side-by-side all the way down the 1,000 feet to the finish line. Brown crossed the line in 3.957 seconds at 308.21 mph while Bernstein crossed in 3.959 seconds at 307.58 mph.

"It was a good drag race," Bernstein said. "It's what we do - we drag race. We would have loved to have won. On the bright side, we've got three in a row coming up here and if we keep knocking on the door like this we're bound to break through."

On the way to the final, Bernstein beat David Grubnic, Scott Palmer and Spencer Massey.

"As the day wore on, I had the feeling that today was going to be it, just because of the way things were going," Bernstein said. "We're going to pick it up and carry the momentum into Sonoma next week."

Bernstein took a 3-2 lead in the Bernstein vs. Grubnic season series by running a 3.975 second pass at 300.06 mph. Grubnic crossed the line in 4.004 seconds at 302.82 mph. 

Palmer's car broke at the line and was pushed off, so Bernstein got a free pass into the semis. Bernstein's solo run was a 4.654 at 171.49 mph. 

Against No. 1 qualifier Massey, Bernstein got off the line second but was able to use horsepower to cross the stripe first. Bernstein's winning lap into the finals was a 4.015 at 300.00 mph, while Massey finished with a 4.059 at 296.11 mph.

For its efforts on Sunday, the MATV crew was award the Full Throttle Hard-Working Crew Award.  

"The results today show we've got the car and the crew to beat anybody out there," Bernstein said. "Now we've just got to go out there and win these things."  

Bernstein didn't take much time to savor his strong finish as he rushed to the airport for a flight back home to Indianapolis to spend some time with his five-day old son, Landon Russel, before hitting the road again for the July 27-29 NHRA Sonoma Nationals in Sonoma, Calif. 

Trivial pursuits won't distract Bernstein from fighting for a win in Norwalk

Brandon Bernstein, driver of the MAVTV/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster has never been one to detour from the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals to ride a roller coaster, splash in a water park or shoot a quick 18 on the links. Bernstein is a racer – it's what he'd rather do over just about anything else.

"I've never been really interested in any of that other stuff," Bernstein said. "I like being at the track and being behind the wheel of a dragster. Now as my kids get older, I'm sure I'll get familiar with all the places that are near Norwalk.

"Right now, the focus is getting the MAVTV car back on the winning track."

Bernstein said the team regrouped will after the disappointing DNQ at Bristol by qualifying seventh and making good runs down a hot and difficult track in Chicago.

"I didn't expect anything less from the guys," Bernstein said. "They are a hard working bunch and I knew they would prove that Bristol was just a fluke. I let them down a little in Chicago, and I'm determined not to let that happen again.

"This class is too tight to throw away days when you have a good car. We've lost a little ground in the points. We need to get back to making those semifinal and finals runs we earned in May and June.

Bernstein is eighth in the Top Fuel points with ninth-place David Grubnic hot on his tail. The MAVTV car has two semifinal and one runner-up finish this season.

"Points are at a premium right now," Bernstein said. "And stockpiling as many points as you can is crucial to not just making The Countdown, but also giving yourself as much of an advantage as you can get when it starts."

MAVTV pro Bernstein hoping for rebound weekend in Chicago

With the disappointment at Bristol in the rear-view mirror, Brandon Bernstein and the MAVTV/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster team are looking forward to brighter days at this weekend's O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.

Bernstein suffered his first DNQ in a long while at Thunder Valley last time out, but he and the crew are expecting that setback to be temporary.

"We feel confident it was a one-race, freak deal," Bernstein said. "The guys are going to be right back at it as soon as we hit Chicago. We've been working hard at the shop making sure everything is right."

Prior to Bristol, the MAVTV car had been on a roll going to two semifinals and finishing runner-up in the previous three races. Bernstein had worked his way from 11th place in the season standings to seventh. He now sits eighth, 31 points behind Shawn Langdon.

"We know we can still run with anybody," Bernstein said. "You brush not qualifying in Bristol off and you move on."

The Route 66 Nationals are a relatively quick dash from the Morgan Lucas Racing shop, which Bernstein said is good for keeping everyone on the crew fresh, especially with the grueling Western Swing looming next month.

"It's kind of nice to have these next two races close to home," Bernstein said. "The guys are able to get back to their homes and their families, because once we hit the West Coast the summer run is on."

This weekend is also the eve of the re-launch of Bernstein's sponsor, MAVTV. On July 4, the cable network will unveil its "American Real" programming, which aims to better serve the entertainment needs of America's heartland.

"We're excited about the 'American Real' launch," Bernstein said. "It's going to be really cool and a great way to get the public to get to know more about MAVTV."

BERNSTEIN SEEING RISE IN MOMENTUM; HOPING TO CAPTIALIZE ON PAST BRISTOL SUCCESS TO END WIN DROUGHT THAT DATES TO 2009

As the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to tradition-rich Bristol Dragway for the 12th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, June 15-17, veteran Top Fuel driver Brandon Bernstein is as confident as he has ever been.

“We think this weekend just might be our weekend,” Bernstein said. “The MAVTV team is just running great right now. We’re coming off two semifinal finishes and a runner-up, so we feel good very good. Plus we’ve had a lot of success at Bristol and we hope that can be a break out weekend for us and get that Wally.”

The 2011 winners of the race that will be televised on ESPN and ESPN2 are Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock).

For the first time in his career, Bernstein is driving for someone other than his legendary father, the ‘King of Speed,’ Kenny Bernstein. Bernstein joined Morgan Lucas Racing as the driver of the MAVTV/Lucas Oil dragster during the off-season.

“It’s unbelievable over here, it’s really awesome,” Bernstein said. “I love being over here with the Lucas family and Morgan. It’s so much fun. We’ve really bonded and I feel so comfortable. Morgan’s had a lot of success and we’ve had a lot of success, so I’m just very fortunate to be over here. It’s different, but it’s a good different.”

Bernstein has had a lot of success in his 10-year driving career, including 18 Top Fuel victories, but he has been winless over the past two seasons. His last win dates back to October 2009, but the veteran driver feels confident that the drought is going to end sometime this season, and he can’t think of a better place to end it than Bristol Dragway, a track where he’s earned two victories and holds the Top Fuel E.T. record.

“Bristol has been great to us, we’ve had a lot of success there and I love going there,” Bernstein said. “We have a great history at that track and that gives us a little more confidence heading in. So hopefully that success breeds more success and it’s going to be our weekend.”

Not only will Bernstein be competing for the NHRA Top Fuel Wally trophy, he’ll also be participating in a special family-themed Father’s Day track walk with Johnny and Shane Gray, Morgan Lucas, Jack Beckman and Erica Enders.

“We’ve done a lot of track walks, but it’s Father’s Day so it’s going to be an extra special track walk,” Bernstein said. “In the past we’ve had the fortune of having my dad and my family here, but unfortunately it’ll just be me this year but the next best thing I can do is call them at the end of the day and hopefully tell them I got a Wally.”

Bernstein will have some stiff competition from the rest of the Top Fuel field that also want to win on Father’s Day, including from his teammate and two-time winner this season, Morgan Lucas, points leader Spencer Massey and four-time Bristol Dragway winner, Tony Schumacher. Steve Torrence is looking to continue his winning ways and Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon and Bob Vandergriff also are looking to grab their first wins of the season.

The competition in Funny Car is just as tight as it is in Top Fuel, as Ron Capps heads to Bristol riding a five-race final-round streak, making him one of five drivers in NHRA history to accomplish that feat. Robert Hight, who won four races in a row early in the season in his Auto Club Ford Mustang, leads the point standings and his JFR teammates Mike Neff, Courtney Force and John Force are all currently in the top 10. Johnny Gray moved up to fourth in the point standings thanks to a win in Englishtown and his DSR teammate Jack Beckman sits fifth. Cruz Pedregon, Bob Tasca III and Jeff Arend are also in the top 10 in points, but with Tim Wilkerson, Bob Bode, Matt Hagan, Alexis DeJoria and Tony Pedregon sitting outside the top 10, it is guaranteed to be a battle with just eight races to go in the regular season.

The Summit Racing duo of Greg Anderson and Jason Line continue to dominate Pro Stock as Anderson earned win No. 100 for the KB Racing team at the same event the team unveiled their Summit Racing Chevy Camaro. Mopar drivers Allen Johnson and Vincent Nobile are close behind, followed by Mike Edwards, Erica Enders and Ronnie Humphrey. The top 10 is rounded out by Rodger Brogdon, Shane Gray and Ron Krisher, leaving Kurt Johnson, four-time NHRA Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr., Larry Morgan and Greg Stanfield outside of the top 10 as the Countdown quickly approaches.

Bernstein looking for glory at a track that owes him one

For a drag racer with a list of credentials as impressive as those of Brandon Bernstein, there's going to be personal history – some good, some bad – at every event on the NHRA schedule.

That's certainly the case for Bernstein at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, which hosts this weekend's 43rd annual Toyota NHRA SuperNationals, although it's not the kind of history he chooses to dwell on too much.

"It's a big race but it's like any of the other ones to me," said Bernstein, who now drives the MAVTV/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster. "Everyone always asks me about my crash there, gosh going back 10 years now, but I don't even think about it any more."

Bernstein's ride up and over the retaining wall ruined a phenomenal rookie season in 2003, but the son of legend Kenny Benrstein said the SuperNationals are now just another place to win a trophy and earn some championship points.

"It's a big prestigious race and there's a lot of history there," Bernstein said. "But you have to treat it like just another race. The wreck was bad, and I hurt my back, but that was a long time ago now. I'm sure lots of fans will ask me about it, as they do every year, and I get that, but as a driver we really don't dwell on that sort of stuff."

Bernstein had his best weekend of the 2012 season last time out in Topeka, Kan., where he was among the quickest cars in all four rounds of qualifying before racing to a second straight semifinal finish in eliminations.

"We're looking forward to keeping the momentum going," Bernstein said. "The guys have been working mighty hard on this car and they are hungry for a win. We're making the right steps and I think we'll have a real good chance to get one this weekend."

Bernstein said if the weather cooperates, the track is prime for making good power.

"With all the trees everywhere, there's a lot of oxygen in the air," he said. "If the weather stays cool, you can really fly there. We're looking forward to going there, it's going to be a good track."

NHRA TECH DEPARTMENT FORMS NITRO TECHNICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

NHRA officials announced today the formation of a Nitro Technical Advisory Council. The Nitro Technical Advisory Council will be chaired by Glen Gray, vice president of technical operations, NHRA and will provide input on rules and other technical matters.

“We believe this group of seasoned and experienced participants in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories can assist NHRA in both the short and long-term,” said Gray. “The group understands the intricacies of the fastest accelerating vehicles on the planet and their knowledge could serve to help NHRA in rule making and technical matters that are in the best of interest of the entire sport.”

The Nitro Technical Advisory Council members represent a cross-section of the current professional nitromethane teams and include: Mike Green, crew chief, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster; Alan Johnson, owner, Alan Johnson Racing; Mike Neff, driver and crew chief, Castrol GTX Ford Mustang; Tim Wilkerson, owner and crew chief, Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang; and Del Worsham, crew chief, Tequila Patron Funny Car.

The first meeting of the Nitro Technical Advisory Council is set for this weekend during the 24th annual Dollar General NHRA Summernationals at Heartland Park Topeka.

MAVTV pro Bernstein brimming with confidence as tour arrives in Topeka

Brandon Bernstein and the MAVTV/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster team are brimming with confidence and momentum going into this weekend's Dollar General NHRA Summernationals at Heartland Park Topeka.

After an early season where the MAVTV car has put up good numbers in qualifying but has fallen short on race day, Bernstein and his crew, who are in their first year together, are on the same page following a season-best semifinal finish at Atlanta last time out.

"We you have a consistent race car and you get a little bit of momentum going and rounds under your belt, you get into a groove," Bernstein said. "Then you just need to keep that going and the wins will come. That's what we're planning on doing."

The big outing in Georgia did wonders for Bernstein's position in the Top Fuel points as, with the cutoff for the Countdown to the Championship just a few months away, he jumped from outside the playoff picture (11th) to ninth place in the Top Fuel standings.

Bernstein trails Bob Vandergriff by 36 points for eighth place and has a cushion of 17 over 10th-place Clay Millican.

Success at Topeka is nothing foreign for Bernstein, he won the event twice (2004 and 2007) and was runner-up in 2006.

"It's a great race track. It's out in the middle of nowhere, but it's really cool," Bernstein said. "I've had some success there, and it's a place where I've won before. I'm excited about going back there. I like the track a lot.

"Hopefully, we can qualify well and, who knows, keep going rounds on race day. That's our goal."

NHRA pro racers to hit a different lane June 5, join bowlers to raise money for Riley Kids

There is a winner and a loser in each drag race and bowing match.

But on June 5 when some of world's top professional drag racers join with the Indianapolis bowling community and race fans at Royal Pin's Western Bowl in Indianapolis, there won't be any losers.

And the big winner will be the Riley Hospital for Children and Riley Children's Foundation.

The fourth annual DSR Bowling for Children fundraiser presented by NAPA will be at Royal Pin's Western Bowl center at 6441 W. Washington St. near Indianapolis.

"DSR drivers compete fiercely against Morgan Lucas, Brandon Bernstein, Shawn Langdon, Tony Pedregon and all our NHRA rivals but, for one night in June, we'll all be on the same team in supporting the kids and families who trust Riley Hospital for Children to provide unequalled medical care," said Mike Lewis, senior vice president of DSR.

"We are proud to contribute the proceeds from our two annual DSR fundraising events to the Riley Hospital Foundation."

DSR also has an open-house and car show at its Brownsburg headquarters during the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway Park in Clermont. 

In six years, DSR has raised over $150,000 for the Riley Children's Foundation.

Leading the roster of sports celebrities at the event will be NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series stars, including:

Don Schumacher Racing's Antron Brown (Matco Tools/Aaron's Dream Machine Top Fuel Dragster), Ron Capps (NAPA AUTO PARTS Funny Car) and Spencer Massey (FRAM/Prestone Top Fuel Dragster); Morgan Lucas Racing's Brandon Bernstein (Lucas Oil/MAV TV Top Fuel Dragster) and Morgan Lucas (Geico Top Fuel Dragster); Al-Anabi Racing's Shawn Langdon; and Screamin' Eagle Vance and Hines Harley-Davidson Pro Stock Motorcycle riders Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec.

The Riley Children's Foundation receives all proceeds from the tournament that will feature the fun No-Tap scoring format where nine pins down on the first ball also scores as a strike.

The event begins with dinner at 6 p.m. followed at 7:15 p.m. with driver introductions and bowling begins 15 minutes later.

All entries include VIP access to the Hall of Fame private room for dinner, soft drinks and time to mingle with the NHRA stars for autographs and photo opportunities. A cash bar will be available.

A silent auction will feature a variety of drag racing memorabilia and merchandise including a 52- and 62-inch HD TV donated by Aaron's.

The entry fee is $50 per bowler, and teams of four or individuals are welcome. Non-bowling spectator admission is $10 and one child 12 and younger will be admitted free with a paying adult. Bowling shoe rental is an additional $3.

Sponsorship packages are available:
GOLD PACKAGE, $1,000
- A DSR show car appearance (Indy area)
- Four-person team entry 
- Lane Sponsorship
SILVER PACKAGE, $500
- Four-person team entry
- Lane Sponsorship
BRONZE PACKAGE, $300
- Lane sponsorship

For information and interest in sponsorships:
317.340.8866 or truittw@shoeracing.com 

To register:
Go to Royal Pin's Western Bowl
6441 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.
Checks should be made to Riley Children's Foundation

About Riley Children's Foundation
Riley Children's Foundation supports Riley Hospital for Children, Camp Riley and the James Whitcomb Museum Home.
As Indiana's only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the car of children, Riley Hospital has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families since 1924.
Each year, children from all 92 Indiana counties turn to Riley Hospital and its regional clinics throughout the state more than 358,00 times.
Riley Hospital's partnership with IU Health and its strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine make Riley Hospital for Children the leader in pediatric car in the state and region.
For information: RileyKids.org