Antron Brown, John Force lament there won’t be a Bernstein racing at NHRA Gatornationals

By Mar 6, 2014, 12:26 PM EST
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For the first time in more than 30 years, the name “Bernstein” will not be on the qualifying grid for next week’s NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.

Legendary Kenny Bernstein, who became the first driver in NHRA history to exceed 300 mph at Gainesville in 1992, has been retired since 2007.

Long known as the Budweiser King because of a more than two-decade sponsorship with the noted brewery, the elder Bernstein was one of the greatest drivers not only of his time but also in overall NHL history.

He was particularly versatile, the only driver in NHRA annals to win multiple championships in both Funny Car and Top Fuel.

Bernstein’s son Brandon lost his ride after last season and continues to search for a new home for his driving talents. While he’ll be at the Gatornationals, he’ll be there in an unusual role: spectator.

Antron Brown, the 2012 NHRA Top Fuel champion, laments that the younger Bernstein won’t be behind the wheel in Gainesville.

“The Bernstein family has made a name for themselves at Gainesville,” Brown said. “Every time we used to go to Gainesville, you’d always see the big pictures of the white and red car with Budweiser all over it.

“It was the King of Speed’s track, The King of Speed. When Big Daddy (Don Garlits) retired, that was a Bernstein heritage track. It’s been in their heritage of the sport. Brandon is going to be there (but) he won’t be in a car, and Kenny’s retired now.

“So it’s definitely a part of our sport that is definitely missing. I hope Brandon gets back soon. He’s a great team manager, but we all know he belongs in a car.”

John Force, a record 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion and winningest driver in the sport, also would like to see the younger Bernstein back racing.

“Bottom line, we need him back in a Funny Car,” Force said. “We need that name back in a dragster. If I had an opening, if I got hurt and (daughter) Ashley didn’t come back because of her children right now, (Brandon would) be the first guy I’d call, not just that he’s a talented driver interview, but because (father Kenny was) one of the names that built this sport.”

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IndyCar disappointed by delay of video game but aiming to launch at start of 2024

By Mar 27, 2023, 3:00 PM EDT
IndyCar video game 2024
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An IndyCar executive said there is “absolutely” disappointment that its long-awaited video game recently was delayed beyond its target date, but the series remains optimistic about the new title.

“Well, I don’t know how quick it will be, but the whole situation is important to us,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said during a news conference Monday morning to announce IndyCar’s NTT title sponsorship. “Motorsport Games has spent a lot of money, a lot of effort to create an IndyCar title. What we’ve seen of that effort, which is not completely obvious, is very reassuring.

“I think it’s going to be outstanding. That’s our shared objective, that when it is released, it’s just widely accepted. A great credit both to IndyCar racing, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, something that our fans love.”

In June 2021, IndyCar announced a new partnership with Motorsport Games to create and distribute an IndyCar video game for the PC and Xbox and PlayStation consoles in 2023.

But during an earnings call last week, Motorsport Games said the IndyCar game had been delayed to 2024 to ensure high quality.

Somewhat compounding the delay is that IndyCar’s license for iRacing expired after the end of the 2022 season because of its exclusive agreement with Motorsport Games.

That’s resulted in significant changes for IndyCar on iRacing, which had provided a high-profile way for the series to stay visible during its 2020 shutdown from the pandemic. (Players still can race an unbranded car but don’t race on current IndyCar tracks, nor can they stream).

That’s helped ratchet up the attention on having a video game outlet for IndyCar.

“I wish we had an IndyCar title 10 years ago,” said Miles, who has been working with the organization since 2013. “We’ve been close, but we’ve had these I think speed bumps.”

IndyCar is hopeful the Motorsports Game edition will be ready at the start of 2024. Miles hinted that beta versions could be unveiled to reporters ahead of the time “to begin to show the progress in a narrow way to make sure we’ve got it right, to test the progress so that we’re ready when they’re ready.”

It’s been nearly 18 years since the release of the most recent IndyCar video game for console or PC.

“(We) better get it right,” Miles said. “It’s something we’re very close to and continue to think about what it is to make sure we get it over the line in due course.”