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NHRA Notes: Brainerd Presents Urgency
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season has quickly dwindled down to the homestretch. Only eight races remain before the series goes on winter break — crazy, right?. However, there’s still plenty of high-powered nitro moments to be had, continuing this weekend at Minnesota’s Brainerd Int’l Raceway.
After Lengthy Break, Austin Prock Back to Work at Brainerd
Austin Prock loves his job so much that, unlike the majority of Americans, he hates weekends off. He’d rather work straight through. No breaks. That’s why being idle the last two weeks has been particularly agonizing for the 28-year-old driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS, especially since his last racing memory is of an incredibly narrow .001 of a second loss to Bob Tasca III in the semifinals of the Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma, Calif.
Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Returning to Brainerd International Raceway
The fastest show on Earth returns to Brainerd International Raceway this weekend for the 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. The drag racing qualifying sessions begin tomorrow, and one racer, two-time Top Fuel World Champion Brittany Force, will be there trying to get her first win of the season. Brittany...
Brainerd International Raceway New Destination for Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown
The Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series has raced at NHRA tracks across the country and this weekend, during the Lucas Oil Nationals, the class comprised of Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Cobra Jets and Dodge Drag Paks will make its debut at Brainerd International Raceway. Just a two-hour drive north of Minneapolis, Minn., Brainerd International Raceway is one of the most dynamic facilities on the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series, hosting drag racing national events, road course events and snowmobile racing. The inclusion of Brainerd in the Factory Stock schedule was a welcome addition for point leader Stephen Bell.
Brittany Force Looking to Move Up In Top Fuel Points at Brainerd
As one of only a handful of pro drivers to have won an NHRA championship after starting the Countdown from a position outside the top five, Brittany Force knows full well that once you’re in it, you certainly can win it. Nevertheless, the reality is that the championship almost...
CAPCO Top Fuel Team to Throw 1-2 Punch at Brainerd
With the Mission Foods Countdown to the Championship looming just ahead, Team CAPCO moves to improve its Top Fuel championship odds this week with a two-pronged assault on the 42nd Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, a track on which it has had a winner in three of the last five races.
Brainerd Warrior Football Aims to Build Off 2023 Success
Football is back in session for Brainerd, as the Warriors kicked off training camp for the 2024 season Monday morning. Brainerd is coming off an impressive campaign last year, finishing 8-2 while reaching the Section 8AAAAA championship game. Fresh off of graduating 32 seniors from last year’s roster, Brainerd football is starting training camp at square one and focusing on the little things.
Bishops Performance Motorsports Returns to Brainerd Nationals as Defending Champions
Bishop’s Performance Motorsports, the premier sportsman drag racing team native to Minnesota, is gearing up to defend their titles at the 2024 NHRA Lucas Oil Brainerd Nationals this weekend. After a stellar performance last year, the team is excited to carry the momentum forward as the defending champions and most recent track winner.
Paul Bunyan’s axe is one of golf’s most unique trophies
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 15, 2024) — The lumberjack spirit is alive and well at Cragun’s Resort Golf & Conference Center as the winner of the CRMC Championship—part of the PGA TOUR Americas circuit—fondly knows. Win the CRMC and you are presented with one of the most unique trophies in the game of golf, the Paul Bunyan Axe.
Duluth Native Greg Anderson Enters Crucial Weekend of Racing at NHRA Nationals
BRAINERD, Minn.- For the 2nd straight year, Duluth native and pro stock driver Greg Anderson is making his way to Brainerd to compete in the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals. Anderson, who is the 2nd winningest driver in NHRA history, has already had a successful season so far, picking up two wins.
Justin Ashley, SCAG Toyota Dragster Looking to Make a Move in Brainerd
Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster team are well aware how critical of a race this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway is. As the 13th event of 20 on the 2024 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series schedule, The Lucas...
Stress-Free J.R. Todd Set for NHRA Playoff Push
J.R. Todd made the most of his off week, but now it’s time to get dialed in for a strong push to the U.S. Nationals and the Countdown to the Championship NHRA Playoffs. The 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Season resumes Aug. 16-18, 2024 at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn.
Daniel Wilkerson Seeks Consistency with SCAG Mustang at Brainerd
Daniel Wilkerson and the SCAG Power Equipment Ford Mustang team are gearing up for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, looking to build on their recent momentum. After strong performances where they qualified in the top half of the pack, including a No. 5 placement at the Sonoma Nationals, Wilkerson enters the event seventh in points. He emphasizes the potential of Brainerd International Raceway for achieving impressive runs, buoyed by previous racing experience there. The team's car will feature a special "Jackal" theme for the event, aligning with the venue's "Zoo" campground spirit.
Hull Pitching Himself Into Rookie Appearance in Brainerd
As rookie Funny Car driver Buddy Hull enters race weekend for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, August 15-18, at Brainerd International Raceway, he is beginning to run out of firsts. In his inaugural season as a driver for Jim Dunn Racing, the Brainerd, Minn. racetrack is one of the last few tracks on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour that he has not previously competed at.
Antron Brown Set to Defend Title at NHRA Brainerd Nationals
Antron Brown is preparing for the NHRA Brainerd Nationals, aiming to defend his championship title. The accomplished driver, with six event championships in Brainerd, boasts victories in both Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories. After winning the event last year by defeating top competitors, Brown has secured three national event wins this season and continues to build momentum. With the support of local partners and a strong fan engagement plan, he is focused on qualifying in the top five and celebrating potential victories with fans.
Dave Richards, Bluebird/Versatran Team Eager to Hit the Track at Brainerd International Raceway
Rocking a specialty BlueBird Turf paint scheme on their Funny Car, Dave Richards and his team are looking for a solid weekend at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) to set the tone for the remainder of their 2024 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series season.
Bartone Bros. Racing Hungry for Redemption at Brainerd International Raceway
Bartone Bros. Racing is ready for the 42nd Annual Lucas Oil NHRA National to run at Brainerd International Raceway in Top Alcohol Funny Car this weekend. Driver, Sean Bellemeur, likes the track located in the land of 10,000 lakes. “I’ll never forget when we pulled into Brainerd last year,” he said. “It was my first time there and all you could see were lakes, trees, and the zoo. It could be hot and humid or it could be cool. You just never know. Looking ahead at the forecast it seems like it should be pretty fast. I love the uniqueness of the facility and the great the fans. It’ll be a fun weekend sending the Pirate Ship down the strip in Minnesota.”
Josh Hart Eyes Victory at Brainerd Nationals in NHRA Series Run
Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team are gearing up for a crucial weekend at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, aiming to secure points before the NHRA championship reset. With two races left in the regular season, Hart emphasizes the importance of these events in climbing the standings, hoping to replicate the success of his previous seasons. He acknowledges the fierce competition in the Top Fuel category and the need to fine-tune performance after recent strategies with veteran crew chief John Stewart. Hart is focused on gaining qualifying bonus points to improve their position ahead of Sunday’s eliminations.
Let’s Talk NHRA- Troy Coughlin Jr., Angelle Sampey, Ron Capps
As we get ready to throw it in gear for the 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, Mac and Zach had the pleasure of speaking with a few drivers we expect to see this weekend! In case you missed out this morning, no worries, we got you! Catch the full conversations below!
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