Here is the answer to the future trivia question, who were the last NHRA winners at VMP? (from left) Del Wosham, Brandon Bernstein and Mike Edwards  (Todd Dziadosz photo)

Upset wins and record runs mark good-bye to Richmond

Words compiled from team press releases by Kay Burk
Photos by Ron Lewis and Todd Dziadosz

The final NHRA sanctioned race at Virginia Motorsports Park was a doozy, full of surprises and record performances. Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards went wire-to-wire, earning the maximum 150 points, to all but clinch his first NHRA Full Throttle Series world championship. In Top Fuel, Brandon Bernstein ended a more than two-year winless streak that spanned 52 races when he blew away Antron Brown. In Funny Car, Del Worsham got the win.

TOP FUEL

Brandon Bernstein declared his 18th career victory at Virginia Motorsports Park a total Budweiser/Lucas Oil team effort and the result of everyone staying positive during the tough times.

In the opening round of eliminations, Bernstein took the round victory over Scott Weis. Bernstein clocked a 3.842-second elapsed time (at 313.58 mph), nearly as strong as his qualifying effort, as Weis broke after the burnout. In the second round, the Budweiser/Lucas Oil team got another bye run when Scott Palmer was unable to return after suffering serious engine damage in round one. Again, the Kenny Bernstein team ran a very competitive 3.871/308.85.

In the semis, Bernstein was spectacular out of the starting gate with a .023-second reaction time. Both drivers were making a lot of horsepower down the track until Brandon took the lead, streaking across the finish line with a 3.851/313.66, while Cory McClenathan’s engine erupted into a ball of fire at the stripe. McClenathan was close behind with a 3.902/290.82.