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KING KOMMENTS

Nothing like a genuine family crisis to put drag racing in proper perspective. After losing to

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Doug Kalitta in the Top Fuel semis, Kenny Bernstein commented, "In light of what happened last week, this ain't nothing. In the past, I'd be real mad right now. I'm just kinda mad-must be getting better with age." He later added, "...We really had a good weekend considering what everyone on this team has been through the past week. We want Brandon to heal and mend and get ready to go so he can come out and enjoy being a part of this again."

Bernstein's post race feelings were further buoyed by the announcement that Brandon had been declared fit enough to leave doctor's care and return home to continue his recovery.

CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR

Sometimes Winston Vision. . .oops, Motel 6-tron. . .is a good thing. At Topeka, for Scott Weiss it was anything but. Dealt out by the slimmest of margins in a first round race with Doug Herbert, Weiss and crew could only watch the replay, see the blower belt fall off, and watch Herbert go by at the last possible instant. The shaking heads and downcast expressions spoke volumes about how tough it is for a part-time outfit to win even a round at the national event level.

SPORTSMAN FINALS

Alcohol Dragster W Alan Bradshaw 5.28 / 262.64 L Bill Reichert 5.29 / 267.86 Bradshaw has been tough everywhere in Randy Meyer's Nitro dragster. With an over-the-phone tune-up and great reaction times, Bradshaw had the goods at Topeka.	Alcohol Funny Car W Mark White 5.67 / 253.28 L Cy Chesterman Broke Chesterman took the green, but it was over at the hit. White was good to go, and did, taking the win that Bars Leaks teammate Bill Reichert couldn't.
Comp W David Rampy A/EA L Al Weis E/EA Rampy makes a habit of this sort of thing, winning his second consecutive national event and 49th overall. Weis was late at green, no help against a hitter like DR.	Super Stock W Jeff Heffler SS/BM L Pete Peery GT/CA Heffler scored his 21st national event win, aided by Peery's foul.
Stock W Kevin Helms A/S L Clint Blezien F/FIA Helms nailed down his 17th national event win with his win at Topeka.	Super Comp W Trisha Mustard L Larry Piper Mustard became the 34th female driver to score a national event win. It was her first ever at the national level.
Super Gas W John Steffan L Damon Dabbs John Steffan picked a tough one to crack for his first national event win. Dabbs is a man to beat any time out, and in more than one eliminator. Steffan should savor this one for a long time to come.	Super Street W Bob Schmidt L Chet Vanderwater Another one who scored his first national event win, Schmidt's task was made easier by Vanderwater's foul start.

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