Kenny Bernstein understands that one little spark can turn into a raging inferno in no time. 

Bernstein, the revered drag racing legend who has seven world championships (six NHRA, one IHRA) to his credit, isn't making a drag racing comeback but is enjoying a few minutes of nitro ecstasy as he sits behind the wheel of Antron Brown's Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster during a Friday warm-up at 2:30 PM, CST during the Dodge Mile High Nationals outside of Denver, CO.

The most difficult part of the experience, Bernstein admits, will be to remind himself, this is only a one-time deal and racing again is not in the cards.

“I was thinking about that the other day and it's been 16 years since I sat in one at all,” Bernstein said. “And I thought, you're kind of being stupid about this. You might really like this again. No, I think I'll be okay. I think it's not a big deal. Been wanting to do this since back in March out there in California and I couldn't get out there. We were going over to Denver because it's their last race and we wanted to see the Bandimeres and our friends out there. I'm excited for it. It'll be fun.”

Bernstein will admit the first time he retired from the sport in 2002, he wasn’t prepared in his heart to step away. When son Brandon was injured in 2003, and Bernstein subbed during his recovery, he realized just how much he missed the exhilaration of competition.  

“I found that out when I retired and put Brandon in and then he got hurt,” Bernstein said. “I went back in and I had so much fun the rest of that year and we won a bunch of races and just had a hell of a good time. I realized that little break I had for those eight races that he drove kind of refueled me again to get back in and deal with everything you deal with. I really enjoyed it.”

When Brandon returned the next season following back surgery to repair a separated fracture of a vertebra, an injury that came close to leaving him paralyzed, Bernstein settled back into retirement only to return in 2007 when he rented a Funny Car ride with sponsorship from Monster Energy drink. 

That’s why Bernstein, in an episode of CompetitionPlusTV’s Legends: The Series offered sage advice to one of the sagest of drag racers… John Force. He said, “Don’t let them make you retire until you are ready to. Make them peel that fire suit off of your back.” 

As Bernstein confirmed, he still had the fire in the belly to compete. 

“That's why I rented the Funny Car in 2007,” Bernstein admitted. “It got kindled again, let's put it that way.”

Brown, who made the opportunity for Bernstein possible, thinks Bernstein will be just fine with what promises to be one heckuva photo op. 

“I think Kenny's good where he is at,” Brown said. “Trust me. He enjoys doing what he does [being retired]. I know he misses it from time to time.”

Brown said the opportunity for the warm-up trade out came through his association with Lucas Oil and Brandon Bernstein, who serves as the company’s Director of Partnership marketing. 

“Kenny's always been one of my heroes,” Brown said. “I’ve always had a good rapport with him, and I respect the hell out of him, and I always respected the way he carried himself and also the work he always put in the way he drives.”

Brown said when he asked the proclaimed King of Speed if he’d be interested in warming up his car, he got the kind of response he hoped for.

 

 

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"It would be my pleasure sitting in your car and warming up for you,” Brown said of Bernstein’s response.

Brown, an admitted student of the game, understands the credentials of the legendary Bernstein. He achieved a major milestone when he matched Bernstein's win record of 69 career victories at the 2022 Menards NHRA Nationals in Topeka, Kan. Bernstein, who was the first NHRA driver to break the 300-mph barrier in 1992, also holds the distinction of being the first driver to win championships in both Top Fuel and Funny Car.

“Kenny Bernstein was the role model, man,” Brown said. “When everybody prepared their stuff, they wanted to look like Bernstein. They always wanted to race like Bernstein. He was the full package man. He was the model drag racer. Everybody looked at him and even Snake… Kenny took it to a whole ‘nother level.” 

Brown knows at 72 wins he may have surpassed Bernstein’s stats, but when the legend strolls into his pits on Friday at Bandimere Speedway, he will just sit back like a kid in the presence of a superhero. 

As Brown calls it, it’s the Bernstein swagger which reminds him of another stick and ball superhero.  

“Kenny Bernstein was one of those people that was so good at what he did. He kind of gave you the [Michael] Jordan Effect,” Brown said, voice elevating in excitement. “When you saw him, he didn't look like he was real. You know He had that type of effect. I'm being honest. He smiled, laughed, you know what I mean? He always said the right things; did the right things. People always loved him. He had that swagger. And still does.”