KENNEWICK — Jeff Bernard likes having a teammate to race with in Scott Liddycoat.

Bernard drives the U-5 Graham Trucking, while Liddycoat pilots the U-7 Valken.com. Both boats are owned by Ted Porter.

"It's nice on the course, but sometimes it's not always nice off it," Bernard said. "One boat team wants something the other boat has at times. The drivers get along well. And I admit it has paid off. I won at Madison in 2008 because I had a teammate (blocking for me)."