NHRA DRAG RACING RUMBLES IN TO BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
FOR THUNDER AT THE LAKES
BRAINERD, Minn. – Thunder at the Lakes rolls in to Brainerd International Raceway next weekend, bringing with it national-level drag racing, Superbike racing and Slowpokes Club racing.
Thunder at the Lakes, May 31 to June 2, features the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and showcases some of the top Sportsman drag racers in the country who will be racing for series points that lead to a shot at a national championship this fall and a piece of a $519,000 prize purse.
For many fans, Thunder at the Lakes is an annual preview to what they can expect to see during the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in August.
“This is really intense drag racing by guys who have their sights set on a national championship,” BIR Owner Jed Copham said. “Fans will see some really fast times by a lot of drivers who will be back in August to compete during the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.”
Drag racers will be competing in classes such as Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The division’s Jerry Haas Race Cars Top Sportsman, Fineline Madcap Top Dragster and Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson are also in competition. Friday afternoon is for drivers to test their cars. Qualifying and time trials are Saturday, and elimination rounds are Sunday.
BIR’s 2.5-mile, 13-turn Competition Road Course will be busy all weekend as well. On Friday, the BIR Performance Driving School will be on the road course, followed by Saturday’s Ducati Track Day for motorcycle riders who want to challenge the track. On Sunday, the Slowpokes Car Club will be proving their Slowpokes aren’t really that slow.
“This race will, again, show the diversity of motorsports that we have here at BIR,” Copham said.
For fans, a single ticket gets you in to see two types of racing. Daily admission is $25, with kids 12 and under are free. Every ticket includes a pit pass and on-site camping is free with a multi-day ticket. Gates open at 7 a.m. daily.
Now in its 45th season, Brainerd International Raceway is one of North America’s largest race tracks, featuring a world-class quarter-mile drag strip, the 3.1-mile, 10-turn Donnybrooke Road Course, the 2.5-mile, 13-turn Competition Road Course, 300 acres for rustic camping, 164 full-service RV sites and 12 on-site condos. BIR is about 120 miles north of the Twin Cities. For more information, visit www.BrainerdRaceway.com, or call 1-866-444-4455.
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet
WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Thunder at the Lakes, one of six events in West Central Division competition where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $519,000. This is the final of six events in the West Central Division where NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The division’s Jerry Haas Race Cars Top Sportsman Series, Fineline Madcap Top Dragster Series and the Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson will also run in conjunction with the event.
WHERE: Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minn. Track is located a few miles north of the Brainerd area off Highway 371. The track is located on the east side of the highway.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, May 31 - June 2
SCHEDULE: FRIDAY, MAY 31 – Gates open at 7 a.m. Time trials are 2-6 p.m.
SATURDAY, June 1 - Gates open at 7 a.m. Qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Top Sportsman Top Dragster and Comp Eliminator qualify at 11 a.m., 2 and 4:45 p.m.
SUNDAY, June 2 - Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m.
TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS - $25 Saturday, $25 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call BIR, (866) 444-4455 or visit www.BrainerdRaceway.com.
2012 EVENT
WINNERS: Bruno Massel, Comp Eliminator; Doug Engles, Super Stock; James Findell, Stock Eliminator; Kevin Dyck, Super Comp; Bill Cawsay, Super Gas; Brian Tuma, Super Street; Dave Slatten, Top Sportsman, Phil Unruh, Top Dragster; Jason Clampitt, Sportsman Motorcycle.
BONUS
PROGRAMS: NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND: a $519,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2013 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional, regional and national champions. Regional awards include $10,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions with Divisional awards of $3,000 to the champions in both Competition and Super Stock; $2,000 each to the champions in Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The seven national champions will share a bonus of $135,000.
JEGS ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA’s seven divisions will compete for a share of the $119,000 point fund from Jegs High Performance. The 2013 Jegs Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series’ eight classes as well as Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2013 Jegs Allstars. Points are based on in-division races only.
The winning division’s team will share $20,000 and individual awards include $7,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions, $6,000 to champions in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock, $5,000 to Top Sportsman and Top Dragster champions, and $4,500 to the Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street champions. Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece. Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $25,000 towing fund to get to the event.
Event sponsor, Jegs High Performance, is offering a “double up” bonus to Jegs Allstars participants. Any 2013 Jegs Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.
AEROMOTIVE LOW QUALIFIER BONUS: A $3,000 bonus fund paid to the low qualifiers in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock and Stock Eliminator at each of the division’s six races. The best qualifying driver in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock will each get $200 per event, while the best qualifier in Stock Eliminator will get $100 per race.
JERRY HAAS RACE CARS TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES presented by Aeromotive: The Jerry Haas Race Cars Top Sportsman Series, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in the West Central division’s Top Sportsman class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $2,750 champions’ purse posted by Jerry Haas Race Cars will be paid to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place points finishers.
FINELINE GRAPHICS & MADCAP RACING ENGINES TOP DRAGSTER SERIES: The West Central Division Top Dragster Series, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in the West Central division’s Top Dragster class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $2,750 champions’ purse will be paid to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place points finishers.
NHRA SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE SERIES presented by HARLEY DAVIDSON: The NHRA Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in NHRA’s Sportsman Motorcycle class to earn points toward divisional championships. The $14,000 champions’ purse posted by Harley Davidson will be paid to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place points finishers in NHRA divisions that host Sportsman Motorcycles.
