Bernstein

JOLIET, Ill. -- Kenny Bernstein won his first Top Fuel race of the season and the 36th of his career Sunday at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.

Bernstein passed Don Garlits for second place on the all-time wins list when he raced his Budweiser King dragster to a 4.503 second run at 328.46 mph, to edge rival Larry Dixon, who posted a 4.638 at 312.35 in the Miller Lite dragster.

The 59-year-old Bernstein, who retired from driving last season, returned to the cockpit in May after his son Brandon received season-ending injuries in a crash at Englishtown, N.J. He trails just Joe Amato (52 wins) in Top Fuel wins. Bernstein also has 30 wins in Funny Car.

"It's always good to win, but this is a special one because it is for Brandon," said Bernstein, who defeated David Grubnic, Paul Romine and Shirley Muldowney to advance to his 115th career final. "To move ahead of Garlits is a great honor because he made this sport go in the early days and I still consider him to be the man. If he would have kept racing he would've won a lot more. We really worked hard today to get this win."

Tony Pedregon and Jeg Coughlin also were winners in the $1.6 million race, the 19th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Pedregon ran unopposed in the Funny Car final when Phil Burkhart's Pontiac Firebird broke down on the starting line following the burnout. Pedregon clocked a 4.769 at 316.52 in a Ford Mustang for his seventh victory of the season and 26th of his career. With the win, Pedregon moved back into the series points lead, 69 ahead of Whit Bazemore, who was upset in the first round.

Coughlin claimed his second win of the season and 33rd of his career in Pro Stock, defeating series points leader Greg Anderson, who fouled at the start in the final round.