2026 BIR Bracket Series Champions Crowned
2026 BIR Bracket Series Champions Crowned
The 2026 Brainerd International Raceway Bracket Series season is officially in the books, and nine racers have earned the honor of being crowned BIR Bracket Series Champions.
From consistency and close finishes to dominant seasons filled with wins, this year’s champions put together some impressive campaigns across the BIR Bracket Series.
ResTech Systems Super Pro
Champion – Joe Schmall
Joe Schmall recorded one win and one runner-up finish in the first three races of the season, building early momentum that carried him to the championship. Schmall finished the season just 204 points ahead of the second place finisher.
Track Stop Pro ET
Champion – Joe Howell
Joe Howell put together a dominant season in Track Stop Pro ET, collecting three race wins on his way to the championship. Howell finished the season with a massive 1,264-point margin, making him one of the most dominant champions in the 2026 Bracket Series.
Thunder Valley Classic Cars Sportsman
Champion – Grant Pesola
Grant Pesola turned in a consistently strong season in Sportsman, earning one win and three runner-up finishes. His combination of wins and consistent trips to the final round put him on top of the championship standings.
D.O.A. DragSleds & Bikes
Champion – Jimmy Paulson
Jimmy Paulson claimed the D.O.A. DragSleds & Bikes championship with one win and three runner-up finishes. His consistency paid off, as he finished just 103 points ahead of the competition.
Feist Automotive & Towing Stock/Super Stock
Champion – Ben Line
Ben Line earned the 2026 Stock/Super Stock championship without a race win, but his consistency throughout the season proved just as valuable. Line collected four runner-up finishes, putting himself in position to claim the championship when the points were tallied.
Junior Street
Champion – Ty Reynolds
Ty Reynolds had a fantastic season in Junior Street, earning four wins and two runner-up finishes. His impressive collection of final-round appearances made Reynolds the 2026 Junior Street champion.
Junior Dragster Advanced
Champion – Bodie Carlson
Bodie Carlson put together a season filled with wins, earning four victories and one runner-up finish on his way to the Junior Dragster Advanced championship.
Junior Dragster Intermediate
Champion – Jasper “Fitzgerald” Urbick
Jasper “Fitzgerald” Urbick put together an outstanding season in Junior Dragster Intermediate, earning four wins and three runner-up finishes. With seven trips to the final round, Urbick consistently found his way to the front of the field and earned the championship.
Vesel Construction Junior Dragster Novice
Champion – Cameron Davis
Cameron Davis capped off an incredible season in Junior Dragster Novice, earning five wins and one runner-up finish. That kind of consistency at the front of the field made Davis the class champion and one of the standout performers of the 2026 BIR Bracket Series.
Special Race Wally Winners
Along with recognizing our season-long champions, we want to congratulate the racers who captured Wally trophies in BIR’s special events during the 2026 season. These races added an opportunity for racers to compete for a coveted Wally and make their mark at the track.
2026 King of the Track
Winner – Brad Harder
75th Anniversary Challenge
ResTech Systems Super Pro: Brian Tuma
Track Stop Pro ET: Joe Howell
Thunder Valley Classic Cars Sportsman: Shawn Carlson
D.O.A DragSleds & Bikes: Jimmy Paulson
Comp Trophy: Morgan Keskey
Street Trophy: Jim Stockton
75th Anniversary JDRL Challenge
Junior Street: Ty Reynolds
Junior Dragster Advanced: Evan Songas
Junior Dragster Intermediate: Jasper “Fitzgerald” Urbick
Vesel Construction Junior Dragster Novice: Jaxon Wilczek
Congratulations to all our 2026 BIR Bracket Series Champions and Wally race winners! Whether you put together a championship season or rose to the occasion in a special event, earning a Wally is an accomplishment worth celebrating.
We look forward to recognizing these racers and celebrating another great season with our BIR racing family at the upcoming 2026 Champions Awards Banquet. Congratulations to all!
Thank You To Our Sponsors
ResTech Systems — Super Pro
Led by Dan Woody, ResTech Systems specializes in smart home integration, automation systems, audio/video technology, and high-end simulator experiences throughout the Twin Cities and Brainerd Lakes Area. Built around precision and performance, their involvement in the Super Pro category reflects a deep commitment to grassroots racing and the racer community. https://restechsystems.com
Track Stop Food & Fuel — Pro ET
Located directly outside the front gate at BIR, Track Stop Food & Fuel has become a race weekend staple for racers and fans alike. Owned and operated by Bob Igman, Steve, and Kayla Dreon, Track Stop provides fuel, food, ice, VP Racing Fuels, and race-day essentials while continuing to support the growth of the Pro ET category. https://www.facebook.com/trackstopbir
Thunder Valley Classic Cars — Sportsman
Since 1984, Thunder Valley Classic Cars has built a reputation around restoration, performance, and classic automotive craftsmanship. Their continued support of the Sportsman category helps strengthen one of the most competitive and tradition-rich classes at BIR. https://www.thundervalleyclassics.com
D.O.A. DragSleds — Bikes & Drag Sleds
Founded by Travis Neyssen, D.O.A. DragSleds designs and builds full-custom asphalt drag sleds engineered specifically for high-horsepower competition. Designed by racers for racers, the company continues to push innovation within one of BIR’s most unique racing categories. https://www.facebook.com/DOADragSleds
Feist Automotive & Towing — Stock / Super Stock
Ron and Bill Feist have long supported grassroots drag racing while operating a trusted automotive repair and towing business serving the North Metro Minneapolis Area. Their continued support helps preserve the heritage and competitiveness of the Stock & Super Stock category at BIR. https://feistauto.com
Vesel Construction — Jr. Dragster Novice
New to the program in 2026, Vesel Construction is a family-run restoration and reconstruction company based in Duluth. Led by owner Mike Sipper, the company’s support helps invest in the next generation of racers through the Jr. Dragster Novice program. https://www.veselconstruction.com
Brainerd International Raceway (BIR), located in Brainerd, Minnesota, is one of the Midwest’s premier multi-discipline motorsports facilities. Home to the NHRA Nationals, BIR hosts drag racing, road racing, drifting, autocross, performance driving experiences, and grassroots motorsports events throughout the season.
The facility features a championship drag strip, multiple road course configurations, dedicated drift infrastructure, and destination camping that has made BIR a motorsports tradition for generations of racers and fans.
For schedules, tickets, racer information, and event details:https://www.birmn.com
