Brogdon joins Bernstein under MAVTV and Lucas Oil umbrella

(Photo by MAVTV PR)

The Lucas Oil drag racing family has a new member with Pro Stock driver Rodger Brogdon joining the fold with his MAVTV/Lucas Oil/Charter Communications Pontiac GXP.

"It's very exciting for us to be joining with Forrest, Charlotte and Morgan Lucas," Brogdon said. "They are such a great family and the support and love they've shown for drag racing is tremendous. It's an honor."

Partnering with Top Fuel driver Brandon Bernstein, Brogdon will be a big part of the new network's public awareness strategy.

"Rodger and Brandon are perfect representatives for MAVTV," said MAVTV president Bob Patison. "They're both great racecar drivers, solid family men and well respected individuals in their communities. As we grow this network, we know they will be an integral part of spreading the word about the wonderful programming we'll always provide at MAVTV -- the best in Movies, Action and Variety."

Brogdon will continue to run a GXP before switching to the Chevy Camaro body when they become available in the spring. The team's power will still be supplied by Victor Cagnazzi Racing. That combination saw the affable Texan smash records, reach the finals in his hometown of Houston and finish a career-best eighth in 2011.

"Victor and his group provide us with great horsepower," said Brogdon, who qualified seventh at the season-opener in Pomona. "We know we can win any race we enter and that's important. We're more than happy with our relationship there."

A native of the Houston suburb of Tomball, Texas, Brogdon said the partnership with MAVTV will only make this team more fearsome as the ties between his new sponsors and teammates are strengthened.

"The people at Charter Communications have been great to work with and they're a big part of MAVTV's initial growth phase," Brogdon said. "They're certainly helping MAV take an extra step by getting them in several million more households.

"It's going to be fun to work with my new teammates. I got to know Morgan really well when he raced Top Alcohol Dragsters because he ran Division 4. He's a good kid and a great racecar driver. I'm also looking forward to getting to know Brandon Bernstein a little better. MAV has big plans for the future and it's an honor to be working with Brandon on getting this network as much exposure and notoriety as we can."

Brodgon, who won multiple Comp Eliminator titles in Div. 4 before making the move to Pro Stock, said that despite the new affiliation with MAVTV and Lucas Oil, he'll maintain the closest relationship with good friend, car owner and fellow racer, Steve Kent.

"Steve Kent and Kent Services and Trucking, man, what can I say about them? Bottom line, there's no way I'd be racing without Steve's support," Brogdon said. "He's the backbone of everything we do.

"We used to bang on each other pretty good in Comp Eliminator and finally one day he said we should join up and race together. We both wanted to move to Pro Stock and now here we are with an incredible group of sponsors and a race team that can win. I couldn't be happier."

Lead foot intact, Bernstein takes MAVTV dragster to Phoenix

Before Brandon Bernstein and his wife Tracey had their first child, the professional drag racer drove a sporty Lexus ISF as his daily driver. When his daughter, Lyla, arrived Bernstein had to go with a more kid-friendly ride.

So when the driver of the MAVTV/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster was asked by team sponsor Toyota to put a fleet of high performance Lexus cars, including the Lexus LFA, though their paces this past Monday at the Auto Club Speedway road course, the answer was an immediate yes.

"That LFA is a supercar," Bernstein said. "It's incredible. The throttle response, the power, the brakes on it are immense – it's so much fun to drive. Toyota was so great for letting us do that. It was an honor to drive a car like the LFA.

"Those events are the best. It gets us out of our normal drag racing mode. I feel blessed and special to have been asked."

Bernstein has also been having fun driving his weekend ride, the 8,000 horsepower MAVTV rail. The team had a strong opening weekend after qualifying in the top five and making it into the quarterfinal round of eliminations in Pomona last week. They are looking to take the next step forward at this weekend's 28th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.

"We're real excited about Phoenix because we know we've got a great racecar," Bernstein said. "(Crew chief) Joe Barlam and the guys are doing a great job. The MAVTV car is going to be ready to rock-and-roll."

Bernstein, who has won twice in Phoenix, including his first win as a pro in 2003, said the Firebird track can be tricky, but he's glad to be back for its more familiar early-season place on the schedule.

"The track gets better as the weekend goes along," Bernstein said. "It's usually pretty rough in the beginning, but I've had some great success in Phoenix, and you always like to go back to tracks where you've done well at in the past. It gives you confidence to go to a track you have won at before.

"Last year was just weird going to Phoenix in the fall. This feels more natural, I guess you can say."

Qualifying for the NHRA Arizona Nationals get under way at 1:30 p.m. MST on Friday at Firebird International Speedway with two sessions. Qualifying picks back up on Saturday with another two sessions starting at noon. Eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday. ESPN2 will air the qualifying show at 6 p.m. and the eliminations show at 7 p.m. Sunday.

Lucas Oil Continues Sponsorship of NHRA's Sportsman Divsion

NHRA announced today a historic extension of its long-running relationship with Lucas Oil Products, which has grown to become one of the most important and all-encompassing sponsor relationships in NHRA.   

The multi-faceted contract extension includes title rights of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., a continued designation as the official oil products of NHRA, naming rights at historic Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis and, most importantly, series sponsorship of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

“Lucas Oil is an integral part of NHRA,” said Tom Compton, president, NHRA.  “Forrest, Charlotte and the entire company have become much more than a sponsor, but true friends to the entire NHRA racing community and everyone here at NHRA.  Everyone in the sport owes a debt of gratitude to Lucas Oil.”   The extension was officially signed at NHRA’s corporate headquarters in Glendora, Calif., with NHRA’s employees in the audience.

The centerpiece of the extension is the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Through the end of the new agreement, Lucas Oil will celebrate 14 years as sponsor of one of the most important and vital series at NHRA.  The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series features eight classes, 24 regional events and 19 divisional events around the country and showcases the skills and talents of tens of thousands of racers. The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is also conducted at all 23 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events, with 16 showcasing the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car categories. These NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events are featured in 16 one-hour programs, produced in high definition, and broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. The Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car categories are where many of today’s NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series drivers got their start, including: Alexis DeJoria, Courtney Force, Spencer Massey, Brandon Bernstein, and Morgan Lucas, among others.

“We are excited to announce a renewed and expanded marketing partnership with our friends at NHRA,” said Forrest Lucas, CEO, of Lucas Oil Products. “The NHRA is noted for their exciting, fast-paced events with some of the most dynamic racing in sports, including the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. We are excited to continue our involvement with the NHRA family of racers.”

In addition, Lucas Oil will maintain its status as the Official Oil of NHRA and retain title-rights sponsorship of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn. Lucas Oil also renewed its naming-rights sponsorship at historic Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, home of the world’s most prestigious drag race, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, held every Labor Day weekend.

Other parts of the agreement include broadcast elements, on-site displays, signage, the ability to utilize the NHRA official logo on its products, and the opportunity to conduct consumer promotions.

In addition, Lucas Oil is the primary sponsor for several NHRA Full Throttle and NHRA Lucas Oil race teams. In the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Lucas Oil serves as the primary sponsor for five race teams: the GEICO/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster with driver Morgan Lucas, the MavTV/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster with driver Brandon Bernstein, the Lucas Oil Ford Mustang with Larry Morgan in Pro Stock, and the Lucas Oil Buell motorcycles with Pro Stock Motorcycle riders Hector Arana and Hector Arana Jr. Needless to say, Lucas Oil’s footprint in NHRA is significant and touches all aspects of racing. 

Bernstein begins second chapter of career with Morgan Lucas Racing

(Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

The next chapter of Brandon Bernstein's Top Fuel driving career starts at this weekend's 52nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

That is the time and place when Bernstein will climb into the MavTV/Lucas Oil dragster and start his first race driving for Morgan Lucas Racing.

"I'm just excited to get the season started," Bernstein said. "There's a lot new for me this year and I'm looking forward to what the year has in store."

Bernstein is coming off a season where he finished sixth in the points in a car prepped by Kenny Bernstein Racing. This year Bernstein is setting his sights even higher.

"Our goal is to win the championship," Bernstein said. "Hopefully we'll pick up some Wallys along the way."

He said he's going into Pomona with a lot of confidence after a successful test session last month in Florida.

"With as well as testing went, we know these cars can run good numbers," Bernstein said. "It's not just a matter of getting the season started and seeing what we can accomplish. We already have a real good idea.

"The team has worked together flawlessly in the offseason and it we're all ready to get to the track."

Bernstein said it doesn't take much to get pumped up to run at Pomona because there is always a little extra electricity in the air.

"It seems like you have been waiting forever for this race to get here," he said. "The winter seems so long then, finally it's here and it's time to go again.

"I'm jazzed. It's a new year and new team. We're going to do some exciting stuff with MavTV out at the track this season, so there's a lot to look forward to."

The O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals get under way Thursday at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. There will be single pro qualifying sessions on Thursday and Friday starting at 1:30 p.m. PST each day. Qualifying will resume on Saturday with two sessions starting at 11 a.m. Eliminations start at 10 a.m. Sunday.

ESPN2 will broadcast the qualifying show starting at 11 a.m. EST on Saturday and eliminations at 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Brandon Bernstein signed to drive MavTV/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster

(Brandon Bernstein, seen here during driver introductions at the 2011 World Finals in Pomona, will race for Morgan Lucas Racing in 2012, replacing Shawn Langdon, who will race for Al Anabi Racing. Bernstein was left without a ride after his father, hall of famer Kenny Bernstein, retired immediately following the end of the season. Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

Nine-year pro Brandon Bernstein has been selected to drive the MavTV/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster for Morgan Lucas Racing in 2012 and beyond. Bernstein's dragster, the same one driven by Shawn Langdon the last three years, will be tuned by longtime MLR crew members Joe Barlam and John DeFilippis.

"Brandon Bernstein is the total package," Lucas said. "He brings an amazing presence, a professional attitude and a tremendous fan following to this race team, not to mention his obvious ability behind the wheel of a Top Fuel dragster. He's the perfect choice to fill the seat and represent our sponsors."

Added MavTV president Bob Patison, "Brandon Bernstein is a solid choice to pilot the MavTV Top Fuel dragster. His professionalism and proven record of success on the track are exactly the attributes a sponsor wants in a driver. Brandon will be a great ambassador for MavTV, a network featuring the best in movies, sports and variety programming."

An 18-time national event winner, Bernstein already ranks fifth among active Top Fuel drivers in total number of victories and is tied for 10th with legend Shirley Muldowney on the all-time class list.

"I'm honored to have this chance to drive for MavTV, Lucas Oil and Morgan Lucas Racing," Bernstein said. "It was a stressful holiday season, to be honest, as I accessed the limited opportunities out there. It wasn't much fun, until today.

"Racing with my dad was a dream come true and now I have a very unique chance to race with my second family -- Forrest, Charlotte and Morgan Lucas. We raced with the Lucas Oil brand on our cars for many years and it’s great to come back into the fold. I feel an immense amount of gratitude to them for giving me this chance."

Aside from MavTV and Lucas Oil, the car will be branded with ProtectTheHarvest.com. an initiative spearheaded by Forrest Lucas. More details on specifics of the various sponsorship arrangements are forthcoming.

"Drag racing requires a lot of its drivers," Morgan Lucas said. "The part where you're actually driving the car is only a small piece of what it takes.

"Brandon has such a well-rounded vision of how to meet the demands of high-profile brands like MavTV, Lucas Oil, Toyota, GEICO and all the other companies that support Morgan Lucas Racing. He also knows how to interact with the media and the fans. He's a real pro and that was a big part of why he was selected. The fact we're longtime friends also was important. Brandon's a family man with strong values. He's the perfect choice to drive this car."

Bernstein says his longtime friendships with Morgan and Barlam is making the transition to his new team an easy one.

"I've known these guys a long time," the 39-year-old Bernstein said. "Morgan and me grew up out here together and I remember bugging Joe back when he was a crew guy on the McDonald's car. I was probably 14 years old at the time but he was always cool to me and we've remained in touch. It's a very comfortable feeling here.

"Joe and John have been working overtime with Morgan's crew chiefs (Aaron Brooks and Rod Centorbi) to make these two dragsters identical. We're going to take things to a new level this year."

Lucas and Bernstein will begin testing for the upcoming season on Jan. 16 at Palm Beach International Raceway in south Florida.

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