ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Kenny Bernstein moved within striking distance of the NHRA funny car points lead Sunday with a victory over Ed McCulloch in the finals of the Summernationals.
Dick LaHaie won the top fuel event and Bruce Allen won pro stock in the event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
Bernstein, of Dallas, drove his Buick Reatta to his second straight victory with a quarter-mile run of 5.416 seconds at 270.59 mph. McCulloch, of Hemet, Calif., encountered engine problems with his Olds Cutlass had to settle for a time of 5.501.
'The crew has definitely got it back together again,' said Bernstein, who picked up his fourth Summernationals win. '(Crew Chief) Dale Armstrong's experience is starting to show again and he's got the mechanical side back under control.
'All this helps me with my driving. There's still a long way to go, but I can't be anything but happy about our performance and consistency. The driver that latches onto consistency has the best chance at the Winston championship.'
The victory was the 30th of Bernstein's career and moves him within 66 points of current leader Bruce Larson.
LaHaie, of Lansing, Mich., claimed his second victory of the season, edging current points leader Gary Ormsby in the finals. The 1987 top fuel champion used a run of 5.116 seconds at 282.04 mph to hold of Ormsby.
Ormsby, of Roseville, Calif., was seeking his fifth victory of the season. He still holds a 1,348-point lead over LaHaie.
Allen, of Arlington, Texas, recorded his second consecutive and third pro stock victory of the season, using a run of 7.440 seconds at 186.37 mph to defeat Don Beverley of Chester, Va.
