Bernstein leads Top Fuel qualifying

Sunday, April 9, 2000 | 2:08 a.m.

Kenny Bernstein earned his 51st career No. 1 Top Fuel qualifying position Saturday in the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals on The Strip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Bernstein had a quarter-mile run Friday of 4.630 seconds at 314.09 mph.

Canadian rookie Todd Paton, Ron Krisher, Matt Hines and Bob Panella topped the other racing categories in the $1.8 million race, the fourth of 23 events in the Winston Drag Racing Series.

Paton captured his first No. 1 qualifying spot in only his second race in the nitro-powered class. His pass Saturday of 4.945 seconds at 307.09 mph led all Funny Car competitors.

Krisher earned his first Pro Stock No. 1 qualifying spot of the year. He had a run of 7.048 at 195.42 on Friday.

Hines improved on Friday's run, earning his first No. 1 qualifying award of the season. The three-time NHRA Winston Pro Stock Motorcycle champion covered the distance in 7.334 at 183.19.

Panella held the top spot in Pro Stock Truck with his run of 7.684 at 175.68.

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