The Kenny Bernstein-owned Copart/Lucas Oil team delivered its best performance of the season at the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals, with pilot Brandon Bernstein driving to a runner-up finish at Atlanta Dragway.  It was his 33rd career final round appearance and his 15th runner-up performance.

Bernstein drove the Copart/Lucas Oil dragster to a quick 3.913-second 312.21 mph pass to secure the No. 3 qualifying position, his best of the year.

In the opening round of race day eliminations, Bernstein defeated Terry McMillen, 3.921/313.44 to McMillen’s 4.054/296.18.

“We are excited to go rounds,” said Bernstein.  “That was a pretty good run and we hope we can keep it going.”

Bernstein’s second round opponent, Pat Dakin, broke on the starting line and the Copart/Lucas Oil team transferred to the semifinals with a consistent 3.955/308.92.

Bernstein and Doug Kalitta faced off in the semifinals, each with 13 career round wins against the other.  The tie-breaker in Atlanta went to Bernstein who clocked a winning 4.001/299.66 while Kalitta hazed the tires with a 4.392/240.04.

Bernstein was in a high stakes shootout with Larry Dixon in the finals and cracked the throttle before the tree activated, causing a red-light elimination.

“We are really disappointed for the team,” said Bernstein.  “I didn’t do my job on the starting line.  On the positive side of the equation, however, a final round appearance is great.  We had some luck in the second round, but we are definitely in the hunt, the car is performing on all eight cylinders, we’re going rounds, and we can feel the difference in the cockpit.”

“Todd (Smith, crew chief), Donnie (Bender, assistant crew chief) and the entire Copart/Lucas Oil team are making significant progress,” said six-time NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein.  “We’re competitive and overall Brandon is doing a good job.  Everyone makes a mistake now and then.”

Atlanta was the first race this season for Bob Vandergriff. He might have been a little rusty and lost a close one to T.J. Zizzo in the first round, 3.903/310.91 to 3.952/308.57. Zizzo was knocked out of the competition by Dixon in the next round.