With two grueling national events left before the champions are crowned, Brandon Bernstein and the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team are heading into the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals in second place in the Top Fuel category, 83 points out of the lead, with the third place team less than a round (6 points) behind.

“Bob Frey (NHRA announcer) always says you have to bring your ‘A game’, and he’s right on,” said Bernstein. “We’ve got a shot at the championship, and we have a tenacious team. We’re going to try to grab hold and make that big leap. But while we’re looking ahead of us, we need to be watching behind us, because third place is breathing up our exhaust.

“We have to go rounds in Las Vegas and we have to go more rounds than the leader and the third place contender. That’s a tall order and a lot of pressure for me and for the team. Tim (Richards, crew chief) and Kim (Richards) have weathered this kind of pressure before. This is a new challenge for me. Dad is trying to help me adjust my mindset by approaching each round individually. No big championship picture. Just micro thoughts round to round.

“In addition to the national event in Vegas, we have the Budweiser Shootout on Saturday. We’d sure love to double down in Vegas – win the Shootout and the race. Budweiser’s celebrating their 25th anniversary of the Shootout specialty races they’ve sponsored through the years.”

Bernstein’s best Budweiser Shootout finish was his first when he finished runner-up. It was the 2002 Budweiser Shootout in Pomona, Calif., which was rained out and postponed to February 2003.

Because his father retired in 2002, Brandon took his father’s spot in the rescheduled event which was run in conjunction with the 2003 season-opener in Pomona.

“In addition to running two big events in Vegas, we’ve also named New York-New York Hotel & Casino as our team’s official Las Vegas hotel,” said Bernstein. “We’re excited to have them onboard. As a part of that agreement, we will be signing autographs at ESPN Zone inside New York-New York Friday evening, Oct. 27, from 9:30 – 10:30 p.m. We’ll be running the New York-New York logo on our Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster as well. There will be an enter to win contest at the autograph signing where two tickets will be awarded to the Budweiser/Lucas Oil pit-side hospitality area. That’s a very special opportunity for someone to win.

“On Wed., Oct. 25, we’ll be playing in a charity poker tournament at the Cannery. There will be a lot going on in Las Vegas. We are excited to get started.”