Lucas has GEICO dragster back on track and revved up for Norwalk

After an extra day in Chicago, Morgan Lucas and the GEICO/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster team believe they have cured their recent woes and are ready to take on the summer heat, starting with this weekend's Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.

"The test went great," Lucas said. "The changes we made worked the way we wanted. We're going to face conditions like we saw in Chicago for the next couple of months, so we think we'll be able to get back to the standards we set earlier this year."

In the first part of the season Lucas amassed four No. 1 qualifiers and two victories. He currently sits fifth in the Top Fuel standings and is hoping past success at Summit Motorsports Park will repeat this weekend.

"We went to the semifinals there last year," Lucas said. "It can be a tough race in terms of heat, but if there are clouds you can really make power there. One thing's for sure, the fans are going to pack the place. The fans are always great and the track always has its own excitement."

While many drivers and crews head to an amusement or water park during their stay in the Norwalk area, Lucas prefers a quieter pursuit.

"Just being outside helps me clear my head," Lucas said. "I've not been driving to my capability. I missed the tree against Antron Brown last week. It was close, but I don’t like to settle for anything less.

"Now that the car has started running better I think everyone's confidence is going to return."

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."