Bernstein completes great week

By Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 28, 2003

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BRISTOL, Tenn. - Brandon Bernstein earned his third win of the season and moved into the Top Fuel points lead Sunday at the Mac Tools Thunder Valley Nationals.

The rookie saved his best run of the day for last and clocked a 4.625-second run at 320.13 mph on the quarter mile at Bristol Dragway to hold off Doug Herbert, who ran a 4.880 at 282.72.

"I can't say enough about this track," Bernstein said. "It's my first time here and I'm the low qualifier, win the race, and take over the points lead. What's not to love? It's a great facility from top to bottom."

Bernstein leads Larry Dixon 537-516 in points.

Del Worsham earned his first win of the season and 12th of his career in Funny Car by defeating Whit Bazemore in the final.

Worsham ran 4.924 at 310.41; Bazemore lost traction at the start and finished in 6.500 at 194.35.

"I almost felt like I had to win today to stay in the points race. Tony Pedregon has been so strong," said Worsham, who is third in the standings, 101 points behind Pedregon and 34 behind Bazemore. " ... (You) can't give away the ones where you have a real good chance of winning and this was one of those races for us."

Kurt Johnson won his third Pro Stock event of the season and 26th overall. He ran in 6.899 at 200.92 to edge Mike Edwards at the finish. Edwards posted a 6.925 at 199.37.

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