Bernstein Is First Over 300 M.P.H. With Top Fuel Run at Gainesville

Kenny Bernstein became the first drag racer in history to top the 300-m.p.h. mark Friday during qualifying for the National Hot Rod Assn.’s 23rd annual Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.

Bernstein recorded a speed of 301.70 m.p.h. in his top fuel dragster and established another record by covering the quarter mile in 4.823 seconds.

“To make that run, the conditions had to be perfect, and everything had to be right on the race car,” Bernstein said.

“At the end of the run, the engine started to go just a taste sour. Normally I would have lifted my foot off the throttle, but I told myself to drive all the way out the back door because this might be the run. And I didn’t care whether it dropped cylinders or not.”