2026 BIR ET Bracket Racing Series Race #1 & #2 Recap
- Brainerd International Raceway
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
Date: May 8-10, 2026
Location: Brainerd International Raceway
Photo Credit: Eagle Eye Photography
The BIR ET Bracket Racing Series kicked of the 2026 season this past weekend with Friday’s Test n Tune & Jackpots races and Races #1 & 2 on Saturday & Sunday. The weather was cold & windy but the on-track action sizzled with .000 lights and dead on runs aplenty.
In Race #1 the Final in ResTech Systems Super Pro Brian Johnson in his 72 Nova had a slightly better light than Kyle Zavadil running his 68 Chevelle but at the stripe it was Kyle seeing his win light come on with a .0006 – six ten thousandths of a second margin of victory running a 6.137 on his 6.13 dial.
The Track Stop Pro ET winner was Joe Howell in his 86 Mustang over Joe Schmall in his 71 Vega. Howell used a reaction time advantage to lock Schmall out and take the win.
Thunder Valley Classic Cars Sportsman was won by Gene Harmel in his 23 Camaro. Grant Pesola the 2025 D5 Sportsman ET Finals Champion in his 97 Ram had a .001 starting line advantage but Harmel ran a dead on 12.231 on his 12.23 dial to turn on the win light in his lane.
The Feist Automotive & Towing Stock-Super Stock final was Brett & Rylee Speer. After qualifying set the ladder the only chance for the husband & wife team to meet would be in the finals and they both raced their way to that goal. Rylee in her 98 Firebird had a substantial reaction time advantage forcing Brett in his 90 Camaro to breakout trying to take the stripe.
In D.O.A Dragsleds & Bikes the final was the 2026 champion Addie Harder on her 98 ZX9R taking on multi-time champion Jimmy Paulson on his ZX14. Addie had a .005 reaction time and ran a dead on 5.821 posting up a 6-pack in the finals over a red lighting Paulson.
Comp Trophy was won by Jesse Holmquist in his 20 Mustang. Hudson Wirtjes in his 23 Dodge TRX ran a dead on 12.534 on his 12.53 dial but wasn’t able to turn on the win light when he missed the tree and Holmquist was able to get by him for the win.
Street Trophy was also a tale of the tree when Keith Larson in his 72 Camaro turned on the win light when Damien Haller in his 97 Thunderbird was late on the tree and Larson locked him out.
Jr Street was won by Mason Jahr in his 85 Ranger running a 9.708 on his 9.70 dial to defeat a red lighting Colin Songas in his 24 Silverado.
The Jr. Dragster Advanced final was won by Ty Reynolds in his 08 Motivational when Bodie Carlson in his 10 RPC left .019 early turning on the red light.
In Jr. Dragster Intermediate Hayden Hjelle in his 05 Half Scale defeated Brynn Reynolds in her 00 Vision. Brynn had the reaction time advantage but broke out giving the win to Hayden who ran a dead on 8.903 on his 8.90 dial.
Vesel Construction Jr. Dragster Novice was won by Cameron Davis. Davis had the better reaction time and saw his win light come on when Jaxon Wilczek broke out trying to get the stripe.
Race #1 of the 10 race series is in the books. The points have been earned starting the chase for a BIR season championship, the chance to secure a spot on the TEAM BIR ET Finals Team, and earn the Golden Ticket to Vegas with the opportunity to compete for the 2026 Summit Racing Equipment ET Racing National Championship.
Race #2 saw another cool day with slightly less wind and lots of sun providing a great race day.
After a runner up finish in the Pro ET final on race #1 on Saturday Joe Schmall in his 71 Vega faced off against Jim Higgins in his 24 Mullis Dragster in the ResTech Systems Super Pro Race #2 Final. Schmall used a reaction time advantage to turn on the win light in his lane.
Track Stop Pro ET was an all Team Shake & Bake final with the win going to Brad Mickle in his 67 Mustang when Dave Engler in his 70 Charger R/T let go of the button early turning on the red for the loss.
The Thunder Valley Classic Cars Sportsman final was Garrison Rue in his 90 Corvette facing off against David LaCasse in his 67 Dart. LaCasse had a slight starting line advantage but Rue ran closer to his dial turning on the win light in his lane.
In the D.O.A. Dragsleds & Bikes final one thing was certain; Jimmy Paulson would own the bike that turned on the win light. Newcomer Mike Cheney running his first weekend in the class on Paulson’s 17 Hayabusa would face Jimmy on his 17 ZX14. Cheney used a .002 light to force Paulson under his dial and break out to give Mike his first win in the D.O.A Dragsleds & Bike class.
The Feist Automotive Stock-Super Stock final paired Ben Line in his 69 Mustang & Brian Zenzen in his 87 Camaro. Line had the starting line advantage but in a double breakout win Zenzen saw his win light breaking out by less.
In Comp Trophy Morgan Keskey in her 95 Camaro used a reaction time advantage to lock out Jesse Holmquist in his 20 Mustang. Holmquist was forced to break out trying to get the stripe, giving Keskey the win.
The Street Trophy final was a repeat of race #1 between Keith Larson in his 72 Camaro & Damien Haller in the 97 Thunderbird. Although Haller ran closer to his dial Larson had the starting line advantage and saw the win light in his lane giving him his second win of the weekend.
Jr. Street saw Ty Reynolds secure the win over Mason Jahr who, in his second final of the weekend came out on the losing end of a double breakout win for Reynolds.
Ty Reynolds racing his 08 Motivational reached his second final of the day and faced off against Evan Songas in his 24 Halfscale in Jr. Dragster Advanced. Reynolds earned a double up when Songas red lit giving him the win.
In Jr. Dragster Intermediate Jasper Urbick ran closer to his dial but Hayden Hjelle was able to score his second win of the weekend using a reaction time advantage to edge Urbick out by .010 at the stripe.
In a repeat of Race #1 the Vessel Construction Jr. Dragster Novice finalists Cameron Davis & Jaxon Wilczek faced each other again with Jaxon getting the reaction time advantage but Davis was able to take the win when he was able to get to the stripe before Wilczek who was off pace and unable to run his dial.
It was a great start to the 2026 BIR Bracket Series, congrats to all of our race winners. Make sure to join us for races 3 & 4 June 12-14 when the battle for a 26 BIR Season Championship continues.
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 helping support weekly competition and racer opportunity 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