KENNY STILL HAS 'SEAT DREAMS'

Kenny Bernstein told the Agent that he still misses driving a Top Fuel car very much, misses the competition, and says if he could get the funding he would definitely return to Top Fuel racing as a driver.

"I get a lot of propositions where the sponsorship would amount to under $2,000,000 to start a race team, but I just wouldn’t consider having a second car for that kind of money," King Kenny said. "If someone were to come along with a sponsorship of three or four million dollars then that would be different. I’d be out there having fun and racing right away. I just couldn’t field and team and do the things that I do for a sponsor for less money than that." 

Bernstein did drive the Bud King Top Fuel car on Monday after the Vegas race to a 4.55 lap and over 320 mph. "I had to make that lap to keep my license current," he explained to the Agent. Son and team driver Brandon Bernstein then rose to the occasion and ran a quicker and faster lap later that day. (DRO file photo by Mark Rebilas) [11-3-2004]

FUEL LICENSES A PERK?

Evidently a license run is the newest perk for Top Fuel/Fuel Coupe team members in lieu of raises. John Force employee and son-in-law, Robert Hight, and Team Kallita employee Ben Marshall both made laps in company cars on Monday in Las Vegas after the race. Hight drove Force’s ‘stang to a 4.75 with Force looking on and Marshall recorded a 4.56 lap in the digger. Force remarked while watching his car make a lap without him, "I’m having an out of body experience." [11-3-2004]

WHO'S WHO ON THE EAST COAST

The Agent just received this photo of the inductees for the 2004 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame. Ceremonies were held October 17 in Henderson, NC. New members (in no particular order) are Dick Brannan, Bob Plumer, Don Snyder, Chick Deninno, "Jersey" John Anzelmo, "Rapid" Red Lang, Henry Butler, Joe Pirrone, Paul and Horace Reinford, Ralph Landolphi, Bogan Renfroe, Jim Oddy, Jim Hill, Dickie Estevez, Steve Earwood, Sam Carroll, Dickie and Harry Gore, Ralph Hamilton, Sy Sidebotham, Hahn & Tuner, and Billy Holt.

George Weiler received the Jungle Jim Memorial Award; Johnny Walker received the Al Sylvester Memorial Award; and the Hill Brothers Legacy Award went to Pete Hill and Ken Kull. (photo by Charlene Kirsch) [11-3-2004]