TOMMY JOHNSON AND MONSTER ENERGY TEAM FIND POSITIVES IN PERFORMANCE
AT GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

MADISON, Ill (May 4) – Cool temperatures and overcast skies made ideal racing conditions during Saturday’s O’Reilly Midwest Nationals qualifying which harvested the quickest Funny Car field of the 2008 season.

Though the Monster Energy team clocked one of their best elapsed times of the year, 4.838 seconds, they failed to crack the starting line-up for the elimination field by .014 seconds.

“If there is a positive this weekend, I think we fixed a few of the issues we were having,” said driver Tommy Johnson Jr. “It just seems like we can’t get rid of the bad luck. Everything that can possibly go wrong seems like it’s going wrong. But the high spot of the weekend is that I think we did make some progress.

“We missed the third qualifying run due to a mechanical malfunction and that probably hurt us a lot. With the good conditions and the good air, we needed that run really bad. I think if we had had that, we would have run the 4.83 on the third run and then would have been able to improve on that in the final run. Missing that third run is probably what bit us. If nothing else, I think we made some progress with the race car. Hopefully that continues and we can learn something from it this weekend and make it better in Bristol.”

# # #

The Monster Energy Funny Car will compete in the 12th O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Illinois.

O’REILLY NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying

Sunday, May 3, 2008

ESPN2

10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. ET

NHRA Race Day

Sunday, May 4, 2008

ESPN2

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET

Eliminations

Sunday, May 4, 2008

ESPN2

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET

We hope to have the Monster Energy Funny Car in the finals for you to watch. We will have continuous internet updates daily. Follow the Monster Energy Funny Car team at www.kennybernstein.com.

TOMMY JOHNSON, JR. AND MONSTER ENERGY FUNNY CAR TEAM
AIMING FOR THE TOP IN ST. LOUIS

MADISON, Ill. – As a youngster in 1976, Tommy Johnson, Jr. stood in victory circle in St. Louis with his dad who was celebrating a sportsman modified eliminator win. That was at St. Louis International Raceway, the strip that has been renovated into the existing Gateway International Raceway.

Now a veteran driver and pilot of the Kenny Bernstein-owned Monster Energy Funny Car, Tommy Johnson, Jr. is looking to deliver a national event win at the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals May 2-4 and cause for another family celebration.

“That was the only national event win my dad ever had,” said Johnson. “So I have very special memories of St. Louis.

“Additionally, St. Louis is close to Indy, where I live, so it almost feels like a hometown race. St. Louis is also Budweiser’s home and the brand has a long history with Kenny Bernstein. We’re looking forward to representing Kenny. I know we’ll have a lot of folks out there watching us.

“I think the date change that was made from late June to early May has been beneficial for the race teams. It’s a tricky race track but I’ve done well there in the past and enjoy the race. I always try to go into a race weekend with a positive attitude and use that mind-set to my advantage.”

Johnson and the Monster Energy Funny Car team were in the final four at Phoenix, but Johnson is looking for a final round appearance and a break-through win for team owner Kenny Bernstein.

“A double victory with Brandon in the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster and us in the Monster Funny Car would be high on my wish list,” said Johnson. “You might as well have lofty goals.

“The Funny Car category is extremely tough again this year and nobody’s running away with victories and points. We need to go rounds in St. Louis and close in on the leaders.”

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, May 2 at 4 p.m. with a second session at 6:30 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 12:30 and 3 p.m., with final eliminations scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.

O’REILLY MIDWEST NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying – May 3- ESPN2

9-11 p.m. ET

NHRA Race Day – May 4 – ESPN2

11-11:30 a.m. ET

Eliminations – May 4 – ESPN2

7- 10 p.m. ET

MONSTER ENERGY FUNNY CAR TEAM MAKES VALIANT EFFORT AT ATLANTA

COMMERCE, Ga. (April 26) -- Despite a gallant effort by the Monster Energy Funny Car team, at the end of Saturday’s qualifying sessions they fell just .054-seconds short of the top 16 that would transfer to Sunday’s Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals elimination field at Atlanta Dragway.

Crew chief Jimmy Walsh made countless adjustments over the course of the two days with minimal results.

“I came here with a positive attitude to try to beat this racetrack,” said driver Tommy Johnson, Jr. “We gave it a good fight. We went down the track every run. But the Funny Car class is so tough and so close that if you do have a problem throughout the weekend then you’re really in trouble. With as many cars as there are, there is no room for error right now. When there’s a glitch in the system, your back is against the wall.

“It’s frustrating to know you have such a good team and we have some little problem we just can’t seem to find. We’ll keep after it until we do figure it out.”

The NHRA circuit heads to St. Louis for the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals May 2-4 where the Monster Energy team will continue to battle back.

# # #

The Monster Energy Funny Car will compete in the 28^th Annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals
at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Atlanta.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying

Saturday, April 26, 2008

ESPN2

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET

NHRA Race Day

Sunday, April 27, 2008

ESPN2

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET

Eliminations

Sunday, April 27, 2008

ESPN2

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET

We hope to have the Monster Energy Funny Car in the finals for you to watch.  We will have continuous internet updates daily.  Follow the Monster Energy Funny Car team at www.kennybernstein.com.  

TOMMY JOHNSON, JR. HOPES TO CHANGE HIS KARMA AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY

ATLANTA – Monster Energy Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson, Jr. is approaching the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals April 25-27 with a positive attitude, hoping that a mental adjustment will help him turn the corner at a track that’s been too tough to tame.

“Atlanta Dragway has been a thorn in my side for the majority of my career,” said Johnson.  “I used to not look forward to going to Atlanta but I’ve changed my attitude.  Now I look forward to going there because I’m determined to beat that place one of these days.

“It’s been a struggle there for me.  For whatever reasons certain tracks are good to you and certain tracks aren’t.  I got runner-up there early in my sportsman career in 1985 and it’s not been so good since then.  I know what final rounds are like there so I’d like to get back to one.”

Johnson made a semi-final round appearance earlier this year in Phoenix and would like to make a final round appearance sooner rather than later.

“I set goals before the season started,” said Johnson.  “I’d like to get a win for Kenny (Bernstein, team owner) and for Monster this season, the sooner the better.  It’s a given that everyone wants to win, but Kenny and the Monster team were awful close to winning more than once last year.  I’d like to help them get over the hump.  If we can get that first win, I think others will follow.

“Atlanta would be a great place to start.  I’m looking forward to beating that place one of these days.  It would be a big win if we could accomplish that goal.”

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying is scheduled to begin Friday, April 25 at 3 p.m. with a second session at 6:30 p.m.  There are two qualifying sessions Saturday, 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., with final eliminations set to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT SOUTHERN NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying – April 26 – ESPN2

6 – 8 p.m.  ET

NHRA Race Day – April 27 – ESPN2

11-11:30 a.m. ET

Eliminations – April 27 – ESPN2

7 – 10 p.m. ET

MONSTER ENERGY TEAM ENCOUNTERS ENGINE DIFFICULTY IN LAS VEGAS

LAS VEGAS (April 13) –  The NHRA Funny Car class established itself as one of the most competitive professional classes last year, and the trend continues in 2008. 

“I thought we made a little progress this weekend,” said Monster Energy Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson, Jr.  “We got two good runs in qualifying.  We had a little engine problem in qualifying Saturday morning and I thought we fixed that.”

 “In order to understand the level of competition, you have to take a look at the class as a whole,” continued Johnson.   “When John Force (14-time champion) doesn’t make the show, and you know you’re not doing as well as you’d like, it underscores the degree of difficulty in this class. Realistically, I think we’re making some progress.”

Johnson qualified No. 13 with a 4.924/309.49.

In the first round of race day action, Johnson had a substantial starting line advantage over opponent Ashley Force but was unable to capitalize on that lead.

“I couldn’t see her (Ashley Force) at first,” explained Johnson.  “I knew the Monster Energy car’s engine wasn’t running as well as it could be, and I was hoping for the best, but she finally came around me.  It’s frustrating to get qualified two races in a row and try to make a little progress and then encounter engine problems. 

“We’re planning to test the new car tomorrow here in Vegas and see if we can use that to help us figure out our gremlins.  Hopefully by the time we get to Atlanta, we will have learned why the engine has been hurting itself.”

#          #          #

The Monster Energy Funny Car will compete in the 9th Annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada.

SUMMITRACING.COM NHRA NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying
Saturday, April 12, 2008
ESPN2
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET

NHRA Race Day
Sunday, April 13, 2008
ESPN2
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET

Eliminations
Sunday, April 13, 2008
ESPN2
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. ET

We hope to have the Monster Energy Funny Car in the finals for you to watch.  We will have continuous internet updates daily.  Follow the Monster Energy Funny Car team at www.kennybernstein.com.  

TOMMY JOHNSON FEELS MONSTER ENERGY TEAM
IN GOOD POSITION TO GO ROUNDS IN LAS VEGAS

LAS VEGAS – Monster Energy Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson, Jr. is always excited to race at “The Strip” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, calling the Summit Racing.com Nationals April 11-13 one of his favorite events of the year.

“I’ve won there in the past,” said Johnson, referring to his 2001 Funny Car victory.  “It’s a fun race.  For whatever reason, I seem to drive really well there.  Maybe it’s because it’s a fun, relaxed atmosphere, but in my opinion, it’s probably the best track on the tour. 

“Our Monster Energy team tested there already this year and had great success.  I’m sure we’ll be looking back in our records to see what we ran there in testing.  We anticipate the car should run really well.  I have extremely high hopes.”

In addition to his 2001 victory, he was runner-up in the 2002 spring event, and runner-up in the 2006 fall event at The Strip.  Ironically Johnson shared  victory circle in 2001 with current car owner Kenny Bernstein who won in Top Fuel.  Brandon Bernstein won in Alcohol Dragster that day, the first time in NHRA history that a father and son had won at the same event.

“One of our sponsors is Summit Racing, and we also have New York-New York on board for this event,” continued Johnson.  “Besides digging really hard to get a victory for Monster Energy, we have additional incentive to bring home a ‘Wally’.”

The SummitRacing.com Nationals marks the fifth race of the season.  The Monster Energy Funny Car made the final four in Phoenix in February, but the team is looking for a final round appearance.

“We’ve just been battling little things that all the teams seem to be fighting,” said Johnson. “I know Kenny has done well at this track through the years, so maybe a little of the Bernstein Las Vegas luck will smile on us this weekend.”

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, April 11 at 1:30 p.m. with a second session at 4:30 p.m.  There are two Saturday qualifying sessions scheduled at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., with final eliminations set to kick off at 11 a.m. Sunday.

SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY 

Qualifying – April 12 – ESPN2

8 – 10 p.m. ET

NHRA Race Day – April 13 – ESPN2

11-11:30 a.m. ET

Eliminations – April 13 – ESPN2

8 – 11 p.m. ET

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TOMMY JOHNSON’S DRIVING SKILLS HELPS MONSTER ENERGY FUNNY CAR TEAM
MAKE GAINS AT HOUSTON

BAYTOWN, Texas (March 30) – Tommy Johnson, Jr. contributed an extra dose of driving skill to help the Kenny Bernstein-owned Monster Energy Funny Car team gain a round win at the O’Reilly Spring Nationals and positions in the NHRA point standings.

Johnson qualified No. 10 with a 4.913/303.16 for his 300th career event.

In the opening round of eliminations, Johnson squared off against veteran driver Gary Densham.  Both drivers were on and off the throttle, trying to get traction to the ground, and Tommy’s efforts paid off in the form of a round win, 6.088/217.63 to Densham’s 13.512.

“The Monster Energy car left really hard,” explained Johnson, “but it started to shake about 150 feet out.  The track conditions are way different from yesterday. (Much cooler today.) I was a little worried about tire shake and I was kind of ready for it.  I caught it pretty quick, but it just didn't want to hook up. 

“I pedaled it once and it took off.  But then it kept coming loose and coming loose.  I couldn’t see Densham and couldn’t hear him.  I kept watching the guard wall and the center line and kept pedaling.  I figured as long as I wasn’t close to either one and it was still running, I’d keep going.

“That was probably not text book on how to pedal a car, but that is text book on ‘never quit, never die and get there first on Sunday’."

In the second round against Tony Bartone, Johnson had to call on his pedaling skills once again. Though Johnson had a significant reaction time advantage, he was not able to capitalize on the edge that afforded him.  Both drivers were off and on the throttle and Bartone ultimately crossed the finish line first, 5.071/287.05 to Johnson’s 6.104/170.26.

“It was better early in the run than the first round but it got in trouble further down the track,” said Johnson.  “I really wasn’t expecting it to come loose but I corrected it and got back in the groove and it just wouldn’t hold out there.  The track has been marginal in the middle and we just had a little too much for that part of the track, I guess.  We had a good starting line advantage, but we couldn’t use it much.

“Even with the season we’ve had, we’re right in the point battle.  The class as a whole is really tough so there’s nobody running away with it. Even through the struggles you’ve got to keep digging because you’re not out of it by any means. 

“Hopefully we’re starting to turn the corner.  We just had small problems that everybody’s having.  If we were the only ones having these problems I’d be worried, but almost everyone in the class is having the same difficulties.  We just need to solve them before they do.”

Johnson is 11th in NHRA Funny Car point standings.

#             #             #

JOHNSON AND MONSTER ENERGY TEAM LOOKING FOR CONSISTENCY AT HOUSTON

BAYTOWN, Texas -- Tommy Johnson Jr. is hoping for sunny skies and a final round showing with the Monster Energy Funny Car at the O’Reilly Spring Nationals March 28-30.

Twice this season, rain has washed out two of the four qualifying sessions at national events.

“Trying to qualify for a race with the competitive field we have really puts a lot of stress on the crew chiefs when you only have two qualifying passes to make the show,” said Johnson.  “If you have any mechanical problems or miss the tune-up, you’re in trouble.

“I’ve got all my fingers and toes crossed that the weather will be good for the weekend and we’ll get four good, consistent runs in.  Ideally you need to get a good baseline run in the first Friday session, and then refine the tune-up to make a quick run Friday evening.  The Friday evening run is probably going to be the key to getting semi-locked into the field.  The qualifying procedure has changed somewhat from years past and leaves some spots open for Saturday, but a good Friday night run should definitely help the cause.”

Johnson was in the final four at the second event this season in Phoenix, his best showing to date.

“We’d like to get to the final round sooner rather than later,” continued Johnson.  “We had some good fortune at this track in 1994.  Houston Raceway Park is where we first went 300 mph to become the 15th member of the prestigious Slick 50 300 mph Club.  But we’ve never won here and we’d like to rectify that.

“Our Monster Energy Funny Car team has done a lot of testing this season.  In fact we tested the day after Gainesville and it doesn’t look like we have any glaring problems.  It just seems that conditions sometimes turn around and bite us.  I think we’re looking pretty good going into Houston.”

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, March 28 at 3 p.m. with a second session at 6 p.m.  There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, noon and 3 p.m. , with final eliminations kicking off Sunday at 11 a.m.

O’REILLY SPRING NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying - March 29 – ESPN2

4:30 -5 p.m. ET

And

10 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET

NHRA Race Day – March 30 – ESPN2

11 –11:30 a.m. ET

Eliminations – March 30 – ESPN2

4:30 – 7 p.m. ET

MONSTER ENERGY FUNNY CAR TEAM DIGGING DEEPER, TESTING MORE
FOLLOWING ACDELCO GATORNATIONALS

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 15) – The Monster Energy Funny Car team was riding momentum from two favorable test sessions and a final four showing in Phoenix, but they hit an unexpected snag at the ACDelco Gatornationals.

Persistent rain caused cancellation of Friday’s two qualifying runs.  With two runs remaining to set the field for eliminations, the pressure was on.  Though Tommy Johnson and the Monster Energy Funny Car team were qualified in the No. 13 position in the first round of qualifying despite a mechanical malfunction, a loss of traction in the second and final run, bumped them from the top 16.

“I tried to save the run,” said Johnson.  “When you’re down to two qualifying sessions you have to do everything you can to get down the track.  We had a mechanical failure on the first run, which made it more difficult.  The team fixed the problem and I thought we’d be fine. 

“I left the starting line good on the second pass and we got out there and I didn’t think it would be a low e.t. run, but it wasn’t a bad run either.  I thought we were capable of qualifying.  But I didn’t expect it to come loose out in the middle and lose traction like it did. I pedaled it and tried to save it. It ran as good as it was going to after smoking the tires at half track.

“It’s frustrating at this point.  We know the car can run.  We did a good job at Phoenix but it’s tough with two qualifying runs if you experience any kind of problem.

“We’ve got to continue to test a little bit more and get the car where it performs consistently and doesn’t turn and bite us.”

The Monster Energy team will test in Gainesville on Monday following the ACDelco Gatornationals.

#             #             #

TOMMY JOHNSON FIRED UP FOR GAINESVILLE

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --  Coming off a strong performance at Phoenix, Tommy Johnson and the Monster Energy Funny Car team are excited about their prospects for the ACDelco Gatornationals March 14-16.

“Gainesville is one of my favorite tracks on the tour,” said Johnson.  “This track has a special place in my heart because the Gatornationals was the first event I ever raced in.  It was 1984 and I was running Super Gas.  There were 128 cars in the class, and we were down to six cars, and mine broke!  I’ve been chasing a victory at this track ever since, and this year I truly feel we have a talented team and a car that will be right in the hunt.

“At Phoenix, I think we showed what the team was capable of.  We were strong in qualifying and we had three very competitive runs on race day.  I no longer have concerns about qualifying.  Now we just want to go out and win a race.

“At the beginning of the season we set goals.  I’d like to get a win for Kenny (Bernstein, team owner) and for Monster this season. The sooner the better.  This team was awful close to winning more than once last year and I’d like to help them get over the hump.  I’d like to be in the top five at the end of the year.”

The ACDelco Gatornationals will mark the third event for Johnson racing under the Kenny Bernstein banner.  Bernstein surprised the racing community when he announced his 2007 Funny Car comeback at the wheel of the Monster Energy Funny Car.  In an equally stunning announcement in December of 2007, Bernstein revealed his decision to step out of the driver’s seat and named popular Funny Car shoe Tommy Johnson Jr. as his successor.

“I’m thrilled to be associated with this team,” said Johnson.  “Prior to Phoenix, we put forth some rigorous days testing, and we reaped big rewards in Phoenix.  I think what we learned will continue to pay dividends for us and I believe will be a contender all year long.

“Jimmy (Walsh, crew chief) and the members of this team really buckled down to make these performance strides.  It was very impressive.

“So we are looking forward to the East Coast season opener in Gainesville.  Ever since I’ve been a Monster Energy driver, I’ve never signed so many autographs!  I’m looking forward to meeting some new Monster fans at Gainesville Raceway.”

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, March 14 at 1 p.m. with a second session at 3:30 p.m.  There are two qualifying sessions Saturday, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. , with final eliminations kicking off at 11 a.m. Sunday.

ACDELCO GATORNATIONALS 

NHRA RACE DAY – March 16 – ESPN2

11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET 

Eliminations – March 16 – ESPN2

6 – 9 p.m. ET

TOMMY JOHNSON, JR. READY FOR FUNNY CAR BATTLE IN PHOENIX

PHOENIX – The Monster Energy Funny Car team has been hard at work testing prior to the Checker Schuck’s Kragen Nationals Feb. 22-24 at Firebird International Raceway.

The Kenny Bernstein-owned team is leaving no stone unturned to try to head into the second race of the season with a winning tune-up combination.

“I’m optimistic and pumped up,” said driver Tommy Johnson, Jr. “We’ve addressed the issues that plagued us at the season opener in Pomona, and we’ve made a 180-degree turnaround.

“I think we’ll rebound not only in qualifying, but I think we’ll have a good shot at winning, the car is running so well. I predict we’ll be a strong competitor right out of the box.”

Johnson won in Phoenix in 2006. Firebird International Raceway is the site of the first Top Fuel victory for Kenny Bernstein (1991) and his son Brandon, driver of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster.

Brandon won in his 2003 rookie season and answered back in ’04 with a second victory.

“Firebird has always been a good track for me,” said Johnson. “It would be neat if I could score the first victory for the team in Phoenix to keep the tradition going.

“I’m plenty comfortable with winner’s circle there,” Johnson joked.

Johnson has a total of nine career nitro victories, two in Top Fuel and seven in Funny Car.

“I felt very fortunate to get the ride with the Monster Energy team,” said Johnson. “Kenny runs his team and business like a machine. I’m proud to be associated with that.”

Kenny Bernstein retired from driving at the end of 2002, but drove a good portion of ’03 after his son, Brandon, suffered season-ending injuries in a race in Englishtown, N.J. In 2007, an opportunity to field a team for Monster Energy arose, and Bernstein jumped into a Dodge Charger Funny Car to compete in a category which he dominated with four-in-a-row NHRA championships from 1985-1988.

Bernstein scored two runner-up finishes in ’07, but when Tommy Johnson became available at the end of the year, Bernstein made the decision to step out of the cockpit and named Johnson as his successor.

“He’s a good driver and a good person, and I just felt the timing was right,” said Bernstein.

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the Checker Schuck’s Kragen Nationals begins Friday at 2 p.m. with a second session at 4:30 p.m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., with final eliminations getting underway at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

CHECKER SCHUCK’S KRAGEN NATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying – Feb. 24 – ESPN2

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET

NHRA Race Day – Feb. 24 – ESPN2

12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET

Eliminations – Feb. 24 – ESPN2

7 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET

Tommy Johnson, Jr. will be greeting fans and signing autographs on behalf of Monster Energy Drinks  

Thursday, Feb. 21 from 7-9 p.m. at

Hooters
4804 E. Chandler Blvd,
Phoenix (Ahwatukee)
480-496-0004

TOMMY JOHNSON REMAINS UPBEAT DESPITE FIRST RACE WOES

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 10) – Monster Energy Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson, Jr.  remains optimistic despite narrowly missing the top 16 for the NHRA season-opening CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway.

“It’s obviously not the way we wanted to start the year,” said Johnson.  “It’s frustrating because we have such a good team.  The big thing is there are 23 more races to go and you can’t let this one get you down that bad.  We’ve got a problem with the car and it’s just not performing like it should.  We’ve got a gremlin somewhere that we’ve got to fix and then we’ll be right in the hunt.  I hate it for the guys.  I hate it for Kenny (Bernstein, team owner) and for Monster.   We just want to get this (gremlin) fixed and get back out there and go rounds and show everybody what this team’s capable of.  It’s a long year.  We have a great group of guys on this team and we will get this turned around.”

The Monster Energy team will leave Monday morning to head to Las Vegas to test prior to the next race Feb. 22-24 in Phoenix.

#          #          #

The Monster Energy Funny Car will compete in the 48th Annual CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals at The Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California.

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS WINTERNATIONALS TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying
Saturday, February 9, 2008
ESPN2
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET

NHRA Race Day
Sunday, February 10, 2008
ESPN2
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET

Eliminations
Sunday, February 10, 2008
ESPN2
7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. ET

We hope to have the Monster Energy Funny Car in the finals for you to watch.  We will have continuous internet updates daily.  Follow the Monster Energy Funny Car team at www.kennybernstein.com.  

TOMMY JOHNSON, JR. SETS GOAL FOR 2008 SEASON

POMONA, Calif. -- Tommy Johnson, Jr. has set goals for the 2008 season revolving around his new car owner, Kenny Bernstein, and the Monster Energy Funny Car team. 

He will begin to target those goals Feb. 7-10 at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals.

“Actually, there are two or three objectives,” confided Johnson.  “The first is to match Kenny’s performance on the starting line.  Kenny is the class of the field as far as driving and reaction time go and the bar is set pretty high.  We’ve compared driving styles and mine is different from his, but Kenny said for me to do what’s comfortable for me rather than trying to adopt his driving style. His words were, ‘You drive it like it’s yours.’

“Secondly, I’d like to get a win for him and for Monster this season, the sooner the better.  It’s a given that everyone wants to win, but Kenny and the Monster team were awful close to winning more than once last year.  I’d like to help them get over the hump.  If we can get that first win, I think others will follow.  I’d like to be in the top five at the end of the year, and from what we’ve experienced in testing, this team is capable.

“Kenny and I have formed a very good working relationship right off the bat,” continued Johnson. “He has respect for my opinions and we bounce a lot of ideas off each other.  There’s good chemistry there.

“The way this team is run is like a machine.  It’s very professional and organized and every member of Kenny Bernstein Racing gives 100 percent.  I’m proud to be associated with that.

“If there isn’t enough for every team to accomplish during the off season to prepare for testing and the impending ’08 kick-off, Jimmy Walsh (crew chief) and the team had to switch everything over on the chassis to fit me.

“These guys have given their all and I intend to do everything I can to contribute to the success of the Monster Energy team.”

Johnson was named pilot of the Monster Energy Funny Car in early December after Kenny Bernstein made the decision to step out of the cockpit.

“I was only contemplating driving one more year,” explained Bernstein, “but when Tommy became available at the end of the ’07 season, we started to give the situation a lot of thought.  We’ve been fortunate to win six championships, 69 races, and we have some milestone performance marks, chief among them, becoming the first to crack the 300 miles-per-hour barrier.

“I guess we could always look to win one more race or one more championship, but in reality, I’ve had a great career and many talented crew members who have helped mold my success through the years.  For me at this stage of my life, the right decision was to step away from the cockpit.

“Tommy is a good choice and we’re enjoying working with him.  We’ll roll to the starting line at Pomona with a seasoned, competitive team.”

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying for the CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals will begin Thursday, Feb. 7 at 2:30 p.m., with a second session Friday at 2:30 p.m.  There will be two qualifying sessions Saturday, 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., with final eliminations scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.

CARQUEST WINTERNATIONALS TELEVISION ADVSIORY

Qualifying –Feb. 9 – ESPN2/ESPN2HD

8-10 p.m. ET

NHRA Race Day – Feb. 10 – ESPN2/ESPN2HD

11 a.m. ET

Eliminations - Feb. 10 – ESPN2/ESPN2HD

7:30 – 11 p.m. ET