Inside BIR

More than 300 racers battled June 19-21 at Brainerd International Raceway during Summit ET Bracket Series Races #5 & #6. Following Friday’s rainout, perfect weather set the stage for exciting racing, the prestigious NHRA King of the Track competition, and Brad Harder’s remarkable triple-win weekend as racers continued their chase for 2026 championships and Team BIR ET Finals positions.

Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) is entering a new chapter guided by the vision of owner Kristi Copham, whose commitment to long-term facility growth has been central to the raceway’s evolution since the Copham family purchased the track in 2006. Today, BIR announces a strengthened leadership team and a refreshed brand identity—two foundational steps in positioning the facility for its next decade of growth.

Event: BIR Kwik Trip Muscle Car Series 40th Annual Show N Go Date: July 3rd-5th, 2026 Location: Brainerd International Raceway Next Race: 38th Annual Muscle Car Shootout September 4th - 6th 2026 Photo Credit: Eagle Eye Photography There are few events at Brainerd International Raceway that carry the history, tradition, and legacy of the Show & Go. Forty years ago, a single event called Show & Go launched what has become one of the Midwest's premier muscle car racing traditio

Brainerd Set to Host #HDM2027 on January 30, 2027 By Minnesota Wild PR @mnwildPR Press Release July 18, 2026 Brainerd, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild, in conjunction with the Hockey Day Minnesota 2027 Local Organizing Committee, today announced the date and matchups for the 21st Annual Hockey Day Minnesota (HDM), presented by UnitedHealthcare. The Brainerd International Raceway will serve as the venue for the 21st annual statewide hockey celebration and will host a week of compet

Event: Ken Niesen Memorial Honoring Jill Gilgosch, 64 Car Shootout @ BIR ET Bracket Racing Series Races #7 & #8 Date: July 17th-19th 2026 Location: Brainerd International Raceway The Ken Niesen Memorial 64-Car Shootout Returns to BIR in Honor of Jill Gilgosch Some races are about more than win lights and payouts. They’re about the people who built the traditions, friendships, and memories that make Brainerd International Raceway feel like home. Brainerd International Raceway

After the inaugural Octane Autofest, Brainerd International Raceway owner Kristi Copham reflects on the vision behind the event, thanks the fans, racers, partners, volunteers and staff who made it possible, addresses lessons learned, and looks ahead to the NHRA Brainerd Nationals and Octane Autofest 2.0. Read her full message to the BIR community.

Nearly 15,000 attendees from 41 states and five countries traveled to Brainerd International Raceway June 4-7 for the inaugural Octane Autofest Motorsports Festival, a new motorsports and automotive lifestyle festival that blended drifting, performance driving, automotive culture, camping, live entertainment, and hands-on participation opportunities into a single weekend experience.