Air Force teams up with Kenny Bernstein, Funny Car racing

Published Sept. 17, 2008
By Dan Elkins
Air Force Recruiting Service

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Air Force begins its venture into Funny Car racing by teaming up with Kenny Bernstein Racing for the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals Sept. 19-21 at the Texas Motorplex in Dallas.

This is the first of four races in which the Air Force serves as an associate sponsor of Monster Energy Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr., who has 10 career wins. The four-race schedule will serve as consideration for future sponsorship while increasing awareness in the Air Force's recruiting and retention efforts.

"The Air Force is excited about being part of a pilot program with Kenny Bernstein Racing," said Capt. Homero Martinez, the chief of event marketing for Air Force Recruiting Service here. "Kenny Bernstein has fielded one of the longest running teams with a strong heritage of character that represents the hard work, dedication and teamwork the Air Force values in all of its Airmen."

Reaching speeds in excess of 300 miles per hour in less than 5 seconds, Johnson competes in the Funny Car, or drag racing, class of the National Hot Rod Association. The team is owned by Kenny Bernstein, who began his pro career in Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Car racing in the late 1960s. Bernstein, a six-time NHRA champion, cites the association with the Air Force as a natural one. He grew up around the service and his father-in-law served in the Air Force.

"In our business, it's about teamwork. The Air Force and its personnel embody all those qualities that contribute to success," Bernstein said. "We're excited to have the Air Force riding with us."

It's that success that Johnson admired during an opportunity to visit with members of the Air Force Thunderbirds Demonstration team in July at an air show hosted by McChord Air Force Base, Wash.

"These teams all worked together to keep the planes flying and their pilots safe," he said. "It's exactly the same principle we employ on the drag racing side. My team pays attention to detail to keep me safe."

Qualifying for the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals takes place Sept. 19-20 with final eliminations scheduled Sept. 21. Air times on ESPN2 should be available in local listings.

In addition to this weekend's race, the Air Force will team with Kenny Bernstein Racing for the O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals Sept. 26-28 in Memphis, Tenn.; Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals Oct.10-12 in Richmond, Va.; and ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals Oct. 31-Nov. 2 in Las Vegas as an opportunity for race fans to learn more about the Air Force.