|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenny Bernstein |
Kenny Bernstein (born September 6, 1944 in Clovis, New Mexico), is an American drag racing driver.
Contents |
Bernstein first became a full-time professional Funny Car driver in 1979, although he had participated in a few events in preceding years. The following year, he acquired a sponsorship deal from Anheuser-Busch, which continues to this day. Bernstein won his first Funny Car championship in 1985, and successfully defended his title over the next three seasons.
In 1990, following a change in NHRA rules, Bernstein began to drive in the Top Fuel Dragster class. Two years later, Bernstein became the first driver in any class to exceed 300 MPH in competition, and won his first Top Fuel championship in 1996, becoming the first driver in NHRA history to win a championship in both of the nitro classes. Bernstein reclaimed the title in 2001, and is the only driver to have achieved multiple championships in both nitro categories.
Bernstein retired in 2002, handing driving duties of the "Budweiser King" to his son, Brandon Bernstein. However, Kenny returned to the car in June of 2003 after his son suffered a season-ending broken back. Although he only raced in 15 events, Bernstein picked up right where he had left off, winning four straight Top Fuel events to close out the season, placing him sixth in season points. He returned to running his team after the season, but rumors began to persist that a comeback was in the works.
In September 2006, Bernstein announced that he would return to racing in the Monster Energy Dodge Charger Funny Car in 2007. His return to active competition was not a good one to start, as he failed to qualify for the opening two events in the 2007 season, earning the minimum 10 points each driver gets for making at least one qualifying run. Following those events, Bernstein fired his crew chief Ray Alley and replaced him with Jimmy Walsh, former crew chief for Top Fuel driver J.R. Todd.
Bernstein's results gradually improved over the season, but he didn't make the inaugural Countdown to the Championship. He returned to retirement following the season and hired Tommy Johnson, Jr. to drive the Monster Energy Charger for 2008.
Bernstein is the current president of the Professional Racers Organisation (PRO), a group of NHRA drivers, mechanics, and team owners, which has helped influence safety and prize money. In light of crash that took the life of Eric Medlen, Bernstein has been influential in adjusting safety standards on NHRA race cars and safety restraints.
Bernstein owned King Racing, a NASCAR team in the late 1980s and early 1990s. At the same he operated the IndyCar team King Motorsports. Bernstein is the only team owner to record victories in all three categories.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |