Bernard getting it done behind the wheel
Dec. 24, 1996

Crystal Bernard thought it would be a nice gesture to participate in a charity auto race event. What she didn't realize was that her participation in the event required her to attend a four-day auto racing school. Although she tried to get out of it, she ended up enrolling in the driving school, and much to her surprise, she ended up loving the racing school and the sport.

Now, Bernard always tries to make time for race car driving in between her acting and singing careers. She lists race car driving, jet skiing, and racing speedboats as hobbies on her official biography.

"The thing I like about racing cars is that when you are behind the wheel of a race car you have to concentrate so hard without thinking about another thing," says Bernard. When she's not playing race car driver, she plays Helen Chappel Hackett on NBC-TV's "Wings." Prior to "Wings" she appeared on "Happy Days" and "It's a Living."

Besides being a very popular television actress, she is one of the most popular drivers in the Neon Challenge Series. This will be her fourth year racing in the series. The Neon Challenge Series is comprised of five events featuring SCCA Club racers (Super Cup Division) and/or celebrity racers (Celebrity Challenge Division). There are three invitational events, one celebrity only event, and the series finale which is open to all Neon drivers who have completed in at least three SCCA National events during the racing season. The Series showcases the driving talents of the SCCA Club racers as they compete head to head against celebrity drivers on SCCA and IndyCar weekends.

WHILE SHE IS BEST KNOWN for her role as Helen on the hit show "Wings," Bernard began her show business career as a singer traveling with her father, an evangelical preacher, performing across the country for most of her youth. She has had on-going success with songwriting. Her compositions have been recorded by Paula Abdul, Lisa Stansfield, and Debbie and Angie Winans.

Race car driving has served as an inspiration for a song that she wrote called "I Wanted Love and You Just Wanted to Go."

"The song is about a girl who wants love from a guy who just wants to race," said the talented singer and songwriter.

Racing is what led her to a meeting with singer Peter Cetera on the celebrity race circuit. He knew her not as a singer and actress but as a "very good race car driver." She submitted songs to him that she had written and sung herself. He was not only impressed with the songs but the voice.

Coincidentally, Bernard's singing talents first achieved notice with "(I Wanna Take) Forever Tonight" a chart busting duet with Peter. The hit duet single led to a major recording deal Crystal signed with River North Records. This past fall, River North released Crystal's debut album "The Girl Next Door."

When her busy schedule permits, and she is not racing in the Neon Challenge Series, she goes to some IndyCar races to watch Al Unser, Jr. and Scott Pruett -- two of her favorite drivers.

Fans of her television and music work will be glad to know she won't be giving up her music and acting career for a racing career anytime soon.

Dropping some notes

He was the Dennis Rodman of college football. Remember the very outspoken and controversial Oklahoma football player Brian Bosworth? ... Well, his professional football career never ended up to be a long-term deal but maybe his acting career will lead to something long-term. He has signed a contract to star in eight episodes of "Lawless" which will air on FOX beginning in mid-March. Bosworth will play a detective in the show that is set in the South Beach area of Miami. Sources tell me the show is kind of like the television version of the hit movie "48 Hours."... Phoenix Suns forward Wayman Tisdale is having a New Year's Eve party and you are invited! Wayman and his band will be bringing in the New Year at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix. For more information call the sales office at the Biltmore Hotel.