03/5/02

A tribute was paid to six-time and reigning NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein by 7,500 Anheuser-Busch wholesaler principals and St. Louis executives at the annual Bud sales convention at the New Orleans Convention Center.

After a video presentation and remarks by Tony Ponturo, vice president, global media and sports marketing, Bernstein was presented with a commissioned Steuben Crystal art form depicting a crystal carving of the legendary Budweiser King Top Fuel dragster encased in a modernistic crystal block.

Photo courtesy KennyBernstein.com

Following Ponturo's remarks highlighting Bernstein's 23-year career behind the wheel of the Budweiser King Funny Car and Top Fuel dragster, the audience rose to a thunderous standing ovation. Bernstein, clearly moved by the emotion of the accolades, addressed the assembly, who remained on their feet through Bernstein's remarks.

"We've attended the Bud sales conventions for years," said Bernstein, "and it never entered by mind that August III, August IV, the brand team and Tony Ponturo would take a venue as important as the annual sales meeting to do something like this. This is the highest honor that I could have ever received. There aren't words enough in the dictionary to describe my feelings. It was absolutely phenomenal."