Throughout this season, Kenny Bernstein’s future in the NHRA has been in doubt.

On Sunday, that doubt was removed.

Bernstein announced Copart, Inc., as the new primary sponsor of his legendary Top Fuel team, beginning in 2010.

Tom Compton, President NHRA, embraced Bernstein’s news.

Throughout this season, Kenny Bernstein’s future in the NHRA has been in doubt.

On Sunday, that doubt was removed.

Bernstein announced Copart, Inc., as the new primary sponsor of his legendary Top Fuel team, beginning in 2010.

Tom Compton, President NHRA, embraced Bernstein’s news.

“This is just an indication of what you are going to see more of in the future,” Compton said. “The great thing about our sport is it can sell itself, if people come out to an event. Our job is to get people interested enough to come out and take the time to come to an event. Without coming out to an event, no deals are ever cut.”

Compton explained it was through the efforts of the NHRA a deal between Bernstein and Copart was eventually made. Every deal has to have a starting point and this one started with efforts from Glendora.

“We work on sponsorships all the time,” Compton said. “What we do is get them interested in the sport, bring them out. It's up to the sponsor to select the team and a platform. We were involved in Copart before Kenny, because we were selling them on the sport, as we are with many companies right now. When we can get one interested enough to come out to an event, and is serious enough to want to do something, then they go talk to the teams and select a team that is best for them.”

Unlike other pro sports, Compton believes drag racing sells itself because it’s so user-friendly.

“This sport has so many unique attributes. So many things you can't do anywhere else,” Compton said.

“It's not just the racing, the power and the speed out there. It's every ticket is a pit pass. The open pits. The sponsor viewing areas. The format where people watch racing, come out into the pits and go back. It's never boring. It's completely unique. It's more access for sponsors and for fans than in any sport I can think of, not just motorsports.”

A day before Bernstein’s announcement, fellow legendary owner Don Prudhomme announced he would be shutting down his Top Fuel dragster team, if he couldn't find a sponsor or investor. Prudhomme further stated he was ready to start taking offers, immediately.

Despite Prudhomme's announcement, Compton is optimistic that NHRA sponsorships will soon be on the upswing.

“I think as the economy turns around, I think we're going to be the beneficiaries of a lot of new deals like this (Bernstein’s),” Compton said. “Corporate America has had to really take a hard look at how they spend their money and what they spend it on. I think those that want to hit the motorsports fan will find NHRA can be a tremendous value and actually take the time to take a look at it. We're very excited about it.”

 

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