Monday's announcement blew off the tires as abruptly today as it did thirty years ago when Kenny Bernstein fired his Funny Car in the Budweiser corporate parking in St. Louis.

Anheuser-Busch today announced the 2009 season will be Budweiser’s last as official beer sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and as primary sponsor of Kenny Bernstein Racing and the Budweiser Top Fuel dragster.

“While we are disappointed by the news, the 30 years we’ve spent with Budweiser have been memorable and we’ve had experiences because of that relationship we will never forget,” Bernstein said in a prepared statement.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to all the Budweiser employees and wholesalers we’ve worked with through the years, as well as the fans and friends who have followed and supported us beginning with the Funny Car era.

Monday's announcement blew off the tires as abruptly today as it did thirty years ago when Kenny Bernstein fired his Funny Car in the Budweiser corporate parking in St. Louis.

Anheuser-Busch today announced the 2009 season will be Budweiser’s last as official beer sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and as primary sponsor of Kenny Bernstein Racing and the Budweiser Top Fuel dragster.

“While we are disappointed by the news, the 30 years we’ve spent with Budweiser have been memorable and we’ve had experiences because of that relationship we will never forget,” Bernstein said in a prepared statement.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to all the Budweiser employees and wholesalers we’ve worked with through the years, as well as the fans and friends who have followed and supported us beginning with the Funny Car era.

“The Budweiser sponsorship has provided us the opportunity to make a career in the sport that we love while fielding championship-caliber teams through the years.  It has been a wonderful win-win relationship for three decades.

 Budweiser has sponsored the NHRA since the early 1980s and is celebrating its 30th season with Kenny Bernstein Racing.  The Budweiser-Bernstein relationship is the longest running in motorsports history, eclipsing Scientifically Treated Petroleum’s (STP) 28-year sponsorship of Richard Petty in NASCAR.  Kenny Bernstein Racing, one of the sport’s most consistent winners, aims to continue racing if new sponsorship is secured for 2010.

“The NHRA and Kenny Bernstein Racing have been world class partners and we’re proud of everything we’ve accomplished together,” said Dan McHugh, vice president, Media, Sponsorship and Activation, Anheuser-Busch.  “For three decades Budweiser helped grow the sport while its association with the NHRA and Kenny Bernstein provided a unique opportunity to market to adult beer drinkers.”

“NHRA is grateful to Anheuser-Busch for their long association with the sport and Kenny Bernstein Racing,” said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing.  “Their 30-year run with the sport is a testament to the return on investment they’ve enjoyed and Kenny Bernstein’s personal commitment and dedication to the brand and its distributors.”

In 30 years together, Budweiser and Kenny Bernstein Racing captured six NHRA titles, including four consecutive Funny Car crowns (1985-1988) and two Top Fuel titles (1996, 2001).  Kenny and son Brandon, who took the keys from his father in 2002, amassed 85 national event victories under the Budweiser flag and in 1992, Kenny became the first driver to surpass the 300 mile-per-hour barrier.

Bernstein plans to race in 2010 if proper funding can be procured.

“We’re passionate about the sport of NHRA drag racing and plan to continue if we can secure sponsorship.  We are moving forward with the search for a replacement so that we can field an NHRA team in 2010 with Brandon as the driver.”

“We are proud of our long-term sponsorships, not only with Budweiser, but we’re also celebrating our 31st season with LaPaz party mixes, 22nd anniversary with Mac Tools, and our seventh season with Lucas Oil.  We believe that taking a proactive role in initiating programs and promotions that help sell product and build brand awareness has been an integral part of retaining our sponsorship associations through the years.  Coupled with the success we’ve had on the racetrack while flying the Budweiser colors, including six NHRA championships and 85 national event victories between Brandon and me, then it’s a very attractive opportunity for another sponsor.

 “We pride ourselves on ethics and integrity.  We recognize you can’t have success without good people, and we have a skilled staff that offers the opportunity for a turn-key program that is inclusive from marketing and sales to public relations, highlighted by a race team that is professional and capable of winning on Sunday.”