2026 BIR Bracket Series Races #9 & #10
Date: Sept 25-27, 2026
Location: Brainerd International Raceway
Next Race: May 2027
Photo Credit: Max Koch www.itsmaxkoch.com
The final weekend of the 2026 BIR Bracket Series had a little bit of everything — rain, wet track, Halloween fun, a five-hour track-drying effort, championship drama and, somehow, just enough daylight to finish the final race of the season.
The annual Halloween “Dragula” weekend tradition continued with the final Bracket Series races of 2026, but Mother Nature certainly made everyone work for it. Friday got underway a little later than planned after rain left the track wet, while Saturday was ultimately called around noon after rain continued throughout the morning with no signs of letting up. That meant Race #9 would not happen.
Even with the weather interruption, the traditional Halloween portion of the weekend went on as planned. The annual Dragula scavenger hunt, kids coloring contest, and both the kids and adults costume contests were all well attended, giving everyone something to enjoy while the rain continued outside.
Once Friday’s Test & Tune finally got underway, there was plenty of variety on the track for the final T&T of 2026. Heads-up cars, Bracket cars, Jr. racers and even a couple of Top Alcohol Dragsters took advantage of the opportunity to make some passes down the BIR dragstrip.
Friday’s Jackpot races also got underway, with the No Gizmo Jackpot completed before darkness. Nathan Olson took the win over Gary Schueneman.
The Gizmo Jackpot made it to the finals, where John Helmin and Russ Anderson were the remaining racers. Unfortunately, daylight faded into darkness before the race could be completed, forcing the semifinalists to call it a split and bringing Friday’s racing to an end.
With Saturday’s Race #9 washed out, Sunday became a race against the clock — and against the weather — to get Race #10 completed.
The rain had stopped Sunday morning, but cool temperatures and the dew point left the track covered in moisture. It took the BIR drag crew nearly five hours of work to get the track dried out and ready for racing.
Once the track was ready, there was no time to waste. Racers hit the track with the championship chase on the line, and the entire event became a race to get Race #10 completed before darkness.
The final pairs of cars made their runs right around sunset. In fact, the final race was completed with only about five minutes to spare before it would have been too dark to safely continue racing but thanks to the incredible BIR Drag Team somehow, we got it done.
Race #10 Winners & 2026 BIR Bracket Series Champions
ResTech Systems Super Pro
The Super Pro final featured young gun Garrison Rue in his ’67 Buick against veteran Ronnie Luberda in his ’71 Nova.
Luberda had the slight reaction-time advantage, but Rue was able to put together the winning run, posting a 6.800 on his 6.80 dial for a dead-on-zero performance and the Race #10 win.
The 2026 ResTech Systems Super Pro championship wasn't decided until the quarterfinals, when Mike Campbell was eliminated. A win in that round would have earned Campbell the semifinal bye and the points needed to clinch the championship.
That meant that Joe Schmall, is the 2026 ResTech Systems Super Pro Champion.
Thunder Valley Classic Cars Sportsman
Kyle Davis drove his ’04 Mustang to the Race #10 win over Luke Schneider, Schneider held a slight reaction-time advantage, but both drivers broke out. Davis was closer to his dial and took the win.
The 2026 Thunder Valley Classic Cars Sportsman Champion is Grant Pesola.
Track Stop Pro ET
Zach Zavadil took the Race #10 win in his ’71 Vega, defeating Luke Schneider in his ’66 Nova SS who was making his second final-round appearance of the day.
The season championship goes to Joe Howell, the 2026 Track Stop Pro ET Champion.
D.O.A. DragSleds & Bikes
The D.O.A. DragSleds & Bikes final couldn't have been a more fitting way to close out the 2026 BIR Bracket Series. Ten years ago, Kayla and Nate Filipiak were married at BIR. For their 10th anniversary, they returned to the track to celebrate with their racing family — and somehow, both husband and wife made it all the way to the final round.
Kayla had the slight reaction-time advantage and turned on the win light when Nate was unable to run his dial.
Congratulations to Kayla and Nate on 10 years of marriage, and what a way to celebrate it — a husband-and-wife final in the final race of the 2026 BIR Bracket Series.
The 2026 D.O.A. DragSleds & Bikes Champion is Jimmy Paulson, who captured the championship by less than one round.
Feist Automotive & Towing Stock/Super Stock
Scott Dugdale, driving his ’84 Monte Carlo, faced Trent Pfisthner in his ’70 Camaro in the final.
Pfisthner had the slight reaction-time advantage, but Dugdale ran closer to his dial to take the Race #10 win.
The 2026 Feist Automotive & Towing Stock/Super Stock Champion is Ben Line.
Comp Trophy
Todd Larson drove his Corvette to the Race #10 win over Todd Anderson in his ’70 Mustang, using a decisive reaction-time advantage to take the final.
Street Trophy
Tiffany Barmettler took the Street Trophy win in her 2010 Mustang over Damien Haller in his ’97 Thunderbird. Haller broke out, handing Barmettler the win.
Jr. Street
Colin Songas put his 2024 Silverado RST into the winner’s circle when Drew Schalm went red in his ’94 Z-28.
The 2026 Jr. Street Champion is Ty Reynolds.
Jr. Dragster Advanced
Evan Songas made it a family affair in the winner’s circle, joining his brother after taking the Jr. Dragster Advanced win when Colt Carlson went .009 red.
The 2026 Jr. Dragster Advanced Champion is Bodie Carlson.
Jr. Dragster Intermediate
The Jr. Dragster Intermediate final featured Owen Stagnaro in his first final-round appearance against Brynn Reynolds.
Reynolds had the reaction-time advantage and was able to hold off Stagnaro to deny him his first win.
The 2026 Jr. Dragster Intermediate Champion is Jasper (Fitzgerald) Urbick.
Jr. Dragster Novice
Cameron Davis took the Jr. Dragster Novice Race #10 win when Sully Fitzgerald left the starting line early and turned on the red light.
Davis finished the season on top as the 2026 Jr. Dragster Novice Champion.
Congratulations to all of our Race #10 winners and 2026 BIR Bracket Series champions!
Most importantly, thank you to every racer who came out and supported the BIR Bracket Series in 2026, along with the crews, families and friends who make every race weekend what it is. And a huge thank you to the incredible BIR drag team for a great season and working through the weather all weekend to get Race #10 completed when it looked like the clock was going to beat us.
From a wet Friday start, a rain out Saturday, Halloween Dragula fun, and five hours of Sunday morning drying to a final pair of cars making their runs with the sun going down, the final weekend was certainly one we'll remember.
That's a wrap on the 2026 BIR Bracket Series. We hope to see everyone at the banquet — details will be posted soon.
Have a great off season, enjoy some well-earned downtime, and we'll see you back at the track for the 2027 season!
The BIR ET Bracket Series is fueled by the racers, families, businesses, and partners that continue to invest in grassroots drag racing across the Midwest. BIR proudly thanks the 2026 class sponsors for helping support weekly competition and racer opportunities throughout the season.
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
The BIR ET Bracket Series is part of the NHRA Summit Racing Series, giving racers the opportunity to compete locally at Brainerd International Raceway while chasing divisional and national championships. Built around consistency, reaction time, and driver skill, the series provides racers of all experience levels the opportunity to compete for season championships, TEAM BIR ET Finals positions, and a chance to race for national glory at the Summit Racing Equipment ET Finals.
Bracket racing at BIR continues to serve as one of the Midwest’s strongest grassroots racing communities, bringing together racers, families, and fans throughout the summer racing season.
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
