STURGIS - Two fast and famous sons of two legendary auto racing fathers and a builder of monster motorcycles raised the roof at the Buffalo Chip Campground on Wednesday night.

Although it was a private party, with no local reporters invited, NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and National Hot Rod Association top fuel driver Brandon Bernstein were joined by Earnhardt engine specialist, pit crewman and custom cycle builder Jeff Clark for an evening of blistering tire burnouts and banter for the Sturgis rally masses at The Chip.

Earnhardt, Jr., son of the late 7-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt, Sr., appeared in a black T-shirt, blue jeans, and trademark backwards ballcap still showing the logo of his current NASCAR sponsor for a pre-event news conference.

"It's unique. I've never been here before, but I've had a lot

"I'm sure we'll have a good time tonight. It sure looks like you could have a lot of fun around here from what I've been told," Earnhardt said.

Enjoying the rally was also the aim of National Hot Rod Association Top Fuel dragster driver Brandon Bernstein, son of six-time NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein.

"It seems like there's a lot more bikes here than the last time I was here in '03," Bernstein said.

"It's fun and it's neat to see all the custom bikes."

One of those bikes is Clark's Budweiser Burnout Bike, a NASCAR-themed two-wheeler that allows pit-stop style quick rear tire changes to prolong a smoky tire burnout.

"That's our version on how to do a burnout," Clark explained. "The concept was born right here in Sturgis."

"The reaction from the motorcycle community at all the rallies we go to, especially Sturgis, has been phenomenal," Clark said.

The evening was hosted by Budweiser which sponsors Earnhardt on the NASCAR circuit, Bernstein's NHRA dragster and Clark's burnout bike. Clark operates The Cycle Xchange custom motorcycle shop and is also an engine specialist and a pit crewman for Earnhardt on the NASCAR circuit.

Earnhardt, Jr., son of the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and grandson of NASCAR pioneer Ralph Earnhardt, caused a stir in the racing world when he announced in May that he was leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc., the NASCAR Cup team started by his father.

Dale Jr., sent another shock wave through NASCAR by signing to drive for Rick Hendrick Motorsports.

Budweiser will not accompany Earnhardt to his new Hendrick team, and speculation has been rampant about the popular driver's new primary sponsor, and especially the number his Hendrick Chevy might carry next year.

Earnhardt was no help to those who asked that very question Wednesday night.

"We're getting closer and closer," he said. "I'm excited to announce it, but I can't do it here."

friends tell me about it," he said of the Buffalo Chip.