<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Goldberg-with-Bernstein.jpg">
Goldberg, one of the many well wishers who stopped by to give 6 time NHRA World Champion Kenny Bernstein the thumbs up on a great career. Bernstein retires from the cockpit after 23 years of racing. Jim Compton Photo.
Kenny Bernstein's final event as a driver ended prematurely as the Budweiser King pilot was upset in the first round of Top Fuel eliminations at the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway. Bernstein appeared to have the lead on Yuichi Oyama before his Budweiser King entry lost traction at halftrack, allowing Oyama to score the victory, 4.67, 318.24 to 5.16, 247.11.
"It was just one of those things where we overpowered the track," Bernstein said. "It's certainly not the way we wanted to go out today. I guess I could have done a better job of pedaling the car, at least you always feel that way as a driver. This one just got away from me so fast.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-1.jpg">
Kenny Bernstein preps the car for the final time. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final2.jpg">
Many friends and guest stop by to see Kenny including his former NASCAR crew chief Larry McReynolds. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-4.jpg">
Bernstein makes that final walk following driver introductions. Bernstein received several presentations. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-9.jpg">
Kenny Bernstein takes a moment and visits with Mrs. Barbara Parks, wife of NHRA founder, Wally Parks. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-10.jpg">
Kenny suits up for the final run. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-12.jpg">
The crew takes the final walk to the starting line with Kenny behind the wheel. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-13.jpg">
Bernstein on the line against Yuichi Oyama. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-16.jpg">
A tip of the hat as Kenny Bernstein salutes the fans after losing in the first round of eliminations at Pomona. Jim Compton Photo.
"We're done with me as a driver but we're not going anywhere. I'll be right back here in February. Now I can holler at Brandon when he can't get it down the track."
The quick end to the six-time NHRA champ's last event of an emotional "Forever Red" retirement tour follows an interesting trend for famed drivers making their swan-song appearance at the Finals.
In 1994, Bob Vandergriff Jr. ended legendary Don "the Snake" Prudhomme's final event in the first round of Top Fuel while in 2000 Joe Amato went up in smoke and was ousted in the first round of this event by David Grubnic.
Bernstein retires with some impressive career stats, including six NHRA championships, four in Funny Car (1985-1988) and two in Top Fuel (1996, 2001). He is the only driver in NHRA history to win championships in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. Bernstein has 65 national event wins, 35 in Top Fuel (tied for 2nd on all-time list with Don Garlits) and 30 in Funny Car (3rd on all-time list behind John Force and Don Prudhomme).
The first driver to exceed 300 mph also is fourth on NHRA's all-time win list in the professional classes and fourth on NHRA's all-time list of final-round appearances in the professional classes (114). He retires as the current NHRA Top Fuel speed record holder (332.18 mph set in Reading, Pa., Oct. 2001) and Top Fuel elapsed time record holder (4.477 seconds set in Chicago, June, 2001).
Goldberg, one of the many well wishers who stopped by to give 6 time NHRA World Champion Kenny Bernstein the thumbs up on a great career. Bernstein retires from the cockpit after 23 years of racing. Jim Compton Photo.
Kenny Bernstein's final event as a driver ended prematurely as the Budweiser King pilot was upset in the first round of Top Fuel eliminations at the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway. Bernstein appeared to have the lead on Yuichi Oyama before his Budweiser King entry lost traction at halftrack, allowing Oyama to score the victory, 4.67, 318.24 to 5.16, 247.11.
"It was just one of those things where we overpowered the track," Bernstein said. "It's certainly not the way we wanted to go out today. I guess I could have done a better job of pedaling the car, at least you always feel that way as a driver. This one just got away from me so fast.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-1.jpg">
Kenny Bernstein preps the car for the final time. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final2.jpg">
Many friends and guest stop by to see Kenny including his former NASCAR crew chief Larry McReynolds. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-4.jpg">
Bernstein makes that final walk following driver introductions. Bernstein received several presentations. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-9.jpg">
Kenny Bernstein takes a moment and visits with Mrs. Barbara Parks, wife of NHRA founder, Wally Parks. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-10.jpg">
Kenny suits up for the final run. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-12.jpg">
The crew takes the final walk to the starting line with Kenny behind the wheel. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-13.jpg">
Bernstein on the line against Yuichi Oyama. Jim Compton Photo.
<img src="http://www.stlracing.net/pixs/compton/Bernstein-final-16.jpg">
A tip of the hat as Kenny Bernstein salutes the fans after losing in the first round of eliminations at Pomona. Jim Compton Photo.
"We're done with me as a driver but we're not going anywhere. I'll be right back here in February. Now I can holler at Brandon when he can't get it down the track."
The quick end to the six-time NHRA champ's last event of an emotional "Forever Red" retirement tour follows an interesting trend for famed drivers making their swan-song appearance at the Finals.
In 1994, Bob Vandergriff Jr. ended legendary Don "the Snake" Prudhomme's final event in the first round of Top Fuel while in 2000 Joe Amato went up in smoke and was ousted in the first round of this event by David Grubnic.
Bernstein retires with some impressive career stats, including six NHRA championships, four in Funny Car (1985-1988) and two in Top Fuel (1996, 2001). He is the only driver in NHRA history to win championships in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. Bernstein has 65 national event wins, 35 in Top Fuel (tied for 2nd on all-time list with Don Garlits) and 30 in Funny Car (3rd on all-time list behind John Force and Don Prudhomme).
The first driver to exceed 300 mph also is fourth on NHRA's all-time win list in the professional classes and fourth on NHRA's all-time list of final-round appearances in the professional classes (114). He retires as the current NHRA Top Fuel speed record holder (332.18 mph set in Reading, Pa., Oct. 2001) and Top Fuel elapsed time record holder (4.477 seconds set in Chicago, June, 2001).
