2001 Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals
In Northern California's wine country, an aged spirit is a good thing; the longer the bubbly stays in the bottle, the better. But don't tell that to Kenny Bernstein. Before last year's Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway (nee Sears Point Raceway), when Bernstein heard that track management planned to tear up the venerable course's quarter-mile for a major renovation, there was probably a sigh of relief in the Budweiser King camp.

For whatever reason, the six-time NHRA champ had never won an event at the track — making it one of few tracks on the schedule at which he had yet to visit the winner's circle — and while the celebratory champagne was growing more valuable, Bernstein's patience was wearing thin.

That all changed in 2001, when Bernstein beat the field — and the bulldozers — to the finish line to claim his fifth win of the season en route to his sixth national crown.

Crew chief Tim Richards, right, and his right-hand wrench, wife Kim, also helped the Bud King run the table, qualifying low and setting low e.t. and top speed.

Bernstein, who had finished runner-up at Infineon Raceway in 1994 and 1996 and only made it out of round two one other time in the event's 13 previous editions, cashed in with championship flair, running the table by qualifying No. 1 and setting low elapsed time and top speed of the event en route to victory.

Bernstein began his last chance to win at the old Sears Point Raceway from the top of the field with a 4.560 at 319.45 mph. Bud King crew chief Tim Richards once again displayed his mechanical wizardry, offering three qualifying runs between 4.56 and 4.70. Bernstein's 4.560 was his seventh pole position of the year but only his second in Sonoma, and it didn't come easy. "We had a 30-mph headwind to deal with," said Bernstein, "and though I don't think it slowed the car any, it sure gave me [trouble] with the handling. I probably traveled a half mile to get this quarter-mile run in."

The Winston points leader's 4.65 on a first-round bye was the second-quickest e.t. of the round behind points rival Larry Dixon's 4.60. Bernstein then defeated tire-spinning Mike Dunn (4.71 to 5.13) and a cylinder-dropping Doug Herbert (4.70 to 5.14) before racing Grubnic.

In the final, the Budweiser King driver made his slowest run of the day, a cylinder-dropping 4.81 at 298.40 mph that proved good enough when Grubnic's number-seven connecting-rod cap broke at the hit of the throttle and his engine expired in flames at half-track for a 5.84 loss.

The victory, Bernstein's 58th career win, came in his milestone 100th final round and expanded his lead over second-place Dixon from 14 to 76 points. By contrast, Grubnic was appearing in just his second career final.

Bernstein's qualifying e.t. and speed held for low e.t. and top speed of the event to give him his fifth win of the season in seven finals and the third time in 2001 he had won in a sweep; Bernstein also swept Las Vegas and Chicago.

"I know I was getting close to the end of my driving career," said Bernstein, "and you like to say that you've been a winner at every track you compete on. We got that done last year, and this year we're looking for an encore performance."