There was something about being thrown back in the seat of his Budweiser dragster that let Brandon Bernstein know that Friday evening’s conditions at the NHRA Mid South Nationals weren’t the norm for Memphis.

He’s used to nasty, hot and humid conditions.

This time the front wheels were in the air en route to what could be his second No. 1 qualifier of 2008 and 13th of his career. The 3.825-second run at 313.88 miles per hour was a pleasant surprise. There was something about being thrown back in the seat of his Budweiser dragster that let Brandon Bernstein know that Friday evening’s conditions at the NHRA Mid South Nationals weren’t the norm for Memphis.

He’s used to nasty, hot and humid conditions.

This time the front wheels were in the air en route to what could be his second No. 1 qualifier of 2008 and 13th of his career. The 3.825-second run at 313.88 miles per hour was a pleasant surprise.

“You couldn’t have asked for much better conditions than we got here tonight,” Bernstein explained.

He should have known something was up when crew chief Tim Richards had a little extra spring in his step. That’s what running a 3.88 in the opening session will do for a tuner.

“You could tell that Tim was anxious to get up here and see what this track would hold,” Bernstein added. “That opening run was a good step because he could tune from that. You could really tell.”

Bernstein said he could tell right at the hit the tune-up is aggressive.

“I think we are still trying to get a handle on it,” Bernstein said. “Historically our car didn’t run really quick in the first half of the track. We concentrated more on speed. That would allow us to drive around people at the end. I think Tim is still tweaking on it.”