Budweiser goes flat on drag racing

The longest running sponsorship of a major racing team will end after the conclusion of this year’s NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

After 30 years of supporting the NHRA pro tour and Kenny Bernstein’s Top Fuel team, Anheuser-Busch’s Budweiser brand is leaving drag racing.

InBev of Belgium now owns the once American-owned beer maker.

Although Budweiser continues to sponsor Richard Petty Racing’s No. 9 Sprint Cup stock car for driver Kasey Kahne, the Belgians might be re-evaluating that deal, too.

In 30 years, Budweiser and Kenny Bernstein Racing captured six NHRA season championships, including four consecutive Funny Car crowns (1985-88) and two Top Fuel titles (1996, 2001).

Kenny and son Brandon, who took over driving from his father in 2002, have 85 national event victories under the Budweiser flag and, in 1992, Kenny became the first driver to surpass the 300-mph barrier.

Boulder City’s Shields wins Gatornationals

Duane Shields of Boulder City won the Top Alcohol Dragster title Sunday in the 40th annual NHRA Gatornationals. He defeated Bill Reichert in the final round to win his first NHRA Gatornationals title.

Shields qualified sixth with an elapse time of 5.39 seconds over a quarter-mile.

The title was Shields’ first win since his father, Lee, died before the season began.

“I dedicate the win to my dad as racing was a big part of our relationship,” Shields said after the win.