Brandon Bernstein
Michael C. Johnson
DALLAS (Sept. 23) - Brandon Bernstein and the ProtectTheHarvest.com/MAVTV Top Fuel dragster won two rounds on Sunday at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals, but everyone on the team left Texas Motorplex like they let a legitimate chance to win slip through their fingers.
Bernstein, the No. 14 qualifier, beat Doug Kalitta and Khalid alBalooshi before meeting eventual runner-up Spencer Massey in the semifinals.
"We feel like a breakthrough win is around the corner," Bernstein said. "We just can't throw away opportunities. But if we stay solid like we were today, the wins are going to come."
Massey got the slight edge off the line and Bernstein's car got in trouble just after the 60-foot mark. Massey finished the race in 4.275 seconds at 270.54 mph and Bernstein slowed to a 4.824 at 170.73 mph.
"The semifinals are great, but we had a chance to make the finals," Bernstein said. "If the car would have just gone down the track, we would have made the finals for sure."
The after blower belt breakage issues, Bernstein's car was consistent and strong in the two round leading up to the semifinal run.
In the first round, Bernstein and Kalitta were nearly identical out of the gate and Bernstein shot to a lap of 3.848 seconds at 319.52 mph. Kalitta was right behind with a 3.864 at 305.70 mph.
In the second round against alBalooshi, Bernstein got off the line first and never looked back. He made it through the heat with a 3.914 second pass at 310.91 mph with alBalooshi finishing in 3.968 mph.
"The ProtectTheHarvest.com team did a fantastic job all weekend," Bernstein said. "Reaching the semifinals really is great because we're accumulating points. We'll keep plugging at it and hopefully we'll get a win here shortly."
Bernstein moved up to sixth in the Top Fuel standings after his finish. He's right behind teammate Morgan Lucas, who is in fifth and 49 points out of fourth, currently held by Shawn Langdon.
The ProtectTheHarvest.com team won't have much time to catch its breath as they'll head directly to Gateway Motor Sports Park outside St. Louis for the Friday-Sunday running of the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals.
Source: Brandon Bernstein
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