NHRA at Phoenix

by Susan Wade
Photos by Jeff Burk
3/9/04

he Top Fuel final round at the March 7 Checker Schucks Kragen NHRA Nationals at Chandler, Ariz., was deja-vu for Brandon Bernstein and deja-blue, or deja-blew, for Doug Kalitta.

The victory was Bernstein's second at Firebird International Raceway, site of his first career triumph in the Budweiser/Lucas Oil Dragster. Perhaps more importantly, it was his first win since returning from his season-ending accident last May, a signal that he has shaken any physical or psychological discomfort.

Bernstein, undefeated in four career final-round appearances, is third in the standings and will try at the March 21 Gatornationals to score back-to-back victories like he did in his rookie campaign last season.

Kalitta, top qualifier at the season-opener (and at Phoenix last year), had to settle for his second straight runner-up finish with the MacTools Dragster. Moreover, he saw his elapsed-time track record fall to new teammate and No. 1 qualifier David Grubnic.