Brandon Bernstein might not have been a headliner going into the NAPA Auto Parts National Time Trials in Phoenix, Az., but in one defining run, the second-generation nitro racer ensured he left as one.

The Budweiser/Lucas Oil-sponsored driver blasted out the quickest speed in 1,000-foot drag racing history with a 323.50. His elapsed time was a quick 3.814 seconds.

Bernstein understands that run, five miles per hour quicker than anyone has produced, has been the target of message board criticism, but vouches for its credibility. He said the car pulled hard out of the gate and never stopped pulling through the speed traps.

“It was quite the surprise,” Bernstein admitted. “I knew it was a fast run, just how fast I didn’t know. It was just intense throughout the run. It was just a great run. It gives us some momentum to go into Pomona and run some good speed.” New Tuner, Same Old Championship Attitude for Bernstein in 2009 …


Brandon Bernstein might not have been a headliner going into the NAPA Auto Parts National Time Trials in Phoenix, Az., but in one defining run, the second-generation nitro racer ensured he left as one.

The Budweiser/Lucas Oil-sponsored driver blasted out the quickest speed in 1,000-foot drag racing history with a 323.50. His elapsed time was a quick 3.814 seconds.

Bernstein understands that run, five miles per hour quicker than anyone has produced, has been the target of message board criticism, but vouches for its credibility. He said the car pulled hard out of the gate and never stopped pulling through the speed traps.

“It was quite the surprise,” Bernstein admitted. “I knew it was a fast run, just how fast I didn’t know. It was just intense throughout the run. It was just a great run. It gives us some momentum to go into Pomona and run some good speed.”

His incremental times on the run were as follows: 60ft-0.841 sec., 330ft-2.155, 660ft-3.059, 280.43 mph.

Bernstein doesn’t believe the speed will inspire the NHRA to take additional measures to slow the dragsters down since the run was made to 1,000 feet, but he doesn’t rule out the possibility.

“You never know,” Bernstein said. “That was a moon-shot by all accounts and five miles per hour quicker than anybody has ever gone at 1,000. Five miles per hour is a big jump. We may see something from it but I hope we don’t because we are still just going to 1,000 foot. I think those speeds are fine in the 1,000-foot range.”

Bernstein believes a monster share of the credit for the monumental run should go to his tuner Rob Flynn and the crew. Flynn was named Bernstein’s tuner on October 15 after a successful tenure with David Powers Motorsports.

Bernstein said the changing of the guard from previous tuners Tim and Kim Richards, who retired at the conclusion of the 2008 season, hasn’t presented a tough challenge.

“It has been a great transition and Rob is a great guy to be around and to work with,” Bernstein said. “He’s got a great attitude and we kind of hit it off from the start without really knowing each other all that well before he came to work here.

“He’s a great change of pace for us. He brings some much needed life into our organization. We’re looking forward to it and we are really excited for this year. He’s got a real desire to win a championship like I do and I think we are going to do well together.”

Flynn walks into one of the more formidable single car operations in drag racing history.

Bernstein’s strong and consistent performance over the last few seasons has gone a long way to dispelling any myth that suggests a fuel operation needs multiple teams to be competitive.

“I really don’t think you need more than one,” Bernstein admitted. “It’s a plus if you do have multiple cars because you can learn more data but we have proven you can contend for a championship with just one car. A couple of years back we were one run away from a championship.

“I certainly feel that we have the caliber of people in place to win a championship. Hopefully our Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster can win it all this year.”

If he doesn’t, it won’t be for lack of effort.

The 323 mph blast at Phoenix was exactly what Bernstein needed to remind the drag racing community that there are other teams capable of winning a championship than Tony Schumacher and Larry Dixon.

“I think a lot of people believe that will be the battle for the championship,” Bernstein explained. “They have to remember there are a lot of cars out here capable of contending for that championship including ours. Obviously there will be a battle between those teams but this Budweiser/Lucas Oil team is capable of winning a championship too.”