Kenny Bernstein to renew NHRA Funny Car license
A photo of his new Dodge Charger Funny Car, to be sponsored by Monster Energy Drink and Lucas Oil, is not available because it will be unveiled and initially photographed at The Strip at LVMS Jan. 19. The three-day test session is open to the public and drag racing fans will get a sneak peak at their favorite drivers and the new cars before the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season begins.
"We will be debuting our Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Funny Car team this season," said Bernstein. "Because we're a new team, it's important for me to get as much seat time as possible, and for the team to find a comfort zone with the tune-up.
"Also very importantly, I will have to renew my license to drive a Funny Car. In order to renew my Funny Car license, I will have to make two runs of 5.50 seconds or quicker and two runs of 250 mph or faster. We hope to accomplish this early in the session so we can concentrate on tune-up combinations."
Bernstein will be joined by the biggest names in professional drag racing, including John Force Racing and Don Schumacher Racing, as Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle teams fine-tune their entries in preparation for the grueling 2007 NHRA POWERade schedule. ESPN also will be on hand to videotape the test session for future broadcast use.
For more information, please contact The Strip at LVMS' office at (702) 632-8213 or visit www.LVMS.com.
Thursday, Jan. 18
9 a.m. – Credential sales and pit gates open for all participants.
2 p.m. – Sportsman tech (in staging) and professional tech.
6 p.m. – Credential sales and tech closed.
9 p.m. – Pits closed (working on cars after 9 p.m. is prohibited).
Friday, Jan. 19 to Sunday, Jan. 21
7 a.m. – Credential sales and pit gates open for all participants.
8 a.m. – Sportsman testing.
10 a.m. – Professional testing begins.
4 p.m. – Sportsman testing concludes.
5 p.m. – Nitro Happy Hour (Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car only).
6 p.m. – Track closed.
9 p.m. – Pits closed (working on cars after 9 p.m. is prohibited).
Spectator admission
Adult single-day – $20.
Adult weekend super-saver (all 3 days) – $50.
Kids (6-12) single-day – $8.
Kids (6-12) weekend super-saver (all 3 days) – $20.
Kids 5 and under (with paid adult) – Free.
Racer entry fees
NHRA professional categories (car, driver, five crew passes and two parking passes) – $750.
NHRA Sportsman categories (car, driver and one parking pass) – $200.
NHRA Sportsman single-day (car and driver) – $100.
Credentials
Weekend restricted-area pass – $50.
Additional pit parking passes – $30.
Eligible professional categories: Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Top Fuel Harley.
Eligible Sportsman categories: Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Dragster, Top Sportsman, Super Pro Bracket, Pro Bracket, Sportsman Motorcycle.
* All teams, all classes will be granted one (1) free oil-down for the weekend. A clean-up charge will apply after second leakage.
* No one may enter the facility early for set-up.
* Testing will take place on the Monday (Jan. 22) and Tuesday (Jan. 23) following the event as a private track rental. The cost to participate is $500 per car (regardless of class). Payment must be made in the tower each day prior to testing. Testing on the private rental days will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* NHRA "hard cards" (including racer, crew, sponsors and media) will not be honored for this event. All media credential requests must be directed to LVMS Public Relations Manager John Bisci at (702) 632-8231 or jbisci@lvms.com.
*Bernstein officially retired at the end of the 2002 season, but returned to racing to sub for son Brandon, when he was injured during the 2003 season.