The fastest show on Earth returns to Brainerd International Raceway in 2026 for the 44th Annual NHRA Brainerd Nationals! For four straight days, the world’s best drag racers will light up BIR’s legendary quarter-mile with nitro-fueled, ground-pounding action.

At BIR, everything is louder, faster, and funner!

​

What to Expect

• The World’s Best Racers – Every household name in Top Fuel, Funny Car,  and Pro Stock battles for NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series championship points.

• Unmatched Speed & Power – Top Fuel dragsters blaze the track in under four seconds at 330+ mph, unleashing 11,000 horsepower you can feel in your chest.

• Fan Access Like No Other – Every ticket is a pit pass! Get within feet of the action as crews tear down and rebuild their cars, and grab an autograph from your favorite driver.

• Nitro Alley Midway – Packed with vendors, interactive displays, merchandise, food, and freebies, it’s a festival inside the race.

 

The Legendary BIR Experience

Everyone’s heard the stories, but you have to experience it for yourself — because nothing compares. Gates open daily at 7 a.m. starting Thursday for fans who are not camping onsite.

 

And if you really want the full Brainerd experience, The Zoo Campground is unlike anything else on the NHRA tour. From live music Thursday–Saturday and Saturday night fireworks to party wagons, bonfires, and round-the-clock shenanigans, it’s the place racers, teams, and fans all talk about.

 

For families or fans looking for quieter evenings, reserved and restricted family camping areas provide early noise and traffic rules for a more relaxed stay.

 

Plan Your Trip

Whether you’re coming for a day or camping all weekend, the NHRA Nationals at BIR deliver nitro, speed, and a party atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else.

​