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Brandon Bernstein broke a two-year drought putting the Budweiser Top Fuel dragster in the

winner’s circle in the NHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. Bernstein’s last win came at Brainerd in 2007, 51 races ago.

“I can’t say enough about our team,” said Bernstein. “With that long of a drought is would have been easy to get down on themselves and not really get out of that funk. We knew eventually we would knock down the door and get that win again. We were really fortunate to have a great car today.”

Bernstein made a solid 3.844 second, 307.09 mph pass to easily best a tire smoking Antron Brown in the Mike Ashley-owned Matco Tools dragster. Bernstein’s day started off easy, as Steve Weis pushed back in the first round, Scott Palmer didn’t show for the second round. A third round matchup with Cory McClenathan was a bit more challenging however Bernstein was never behind in the contest, beating Cory Mac off the line, .023 to .136.

“We weren’t surprised with anything,” Brandon said of his four runs. “In the semifinals with Cory we knew that was going to be a tough run. That was going to be one of those races you had to run the number to beat him because that is a tough car. We were consistent. Rob (Flynn) was really consistent and we raced the race track.”

Following the win, Brandon took a call from his father which included congratulations to the entire team.

“He was just ecstatic,” said Brandon of his father. “He was just so proud. In his voice you could tell he was jumping up and down inside and obviously wanted to be here.”

After 30 years, you would think it would feel good to bring home a win two races prior to the ending of such a long relationship.

“The 30 years is great but we needed a win for our team and for our new sponsor next year, CoPart. It wasn’t for Budweiser, it was for us,” exclaimed Bernstein