2026 BIR ET Bracket Racing Series Race #3 & #4 Recap
- Brainerd International Raceway
- 6 hours ago
- 6 min read
Date: June 12-14, 2026
Location: Brainerd International Raceway
Photo Credit: Eagle Eye Photography
The NHRA Summit ET Bracket Series returned to Brainerd International Raceway June 12-14 for Races #3 and #4 of the 2026 season. Racers were greeted with cool temperatures and strong winds throughout much of the weekend, but despite the challenging conditions, racers put on a great show while posting strong car counts and exciting racing action.
Friday's action featured Test & Tune, No Gizmo and Gizmo Jackpot races, along with the ResTech Systems Stock/Super Stock Shootout. 95 racers took advantage of track time throughout the day.
In the No Gizmo Jackpot Race, the final round paired Bob "Cougar" Ingman in his 1970 Mercury Cougar against Owen Drake in his 1963 Plymouth Savoy. Drake turned the red light, giving Ingman the victory.
The Gizmo Jackpot Race came down to Dale Evens and Toby Giese. Evens used a slight reaction-time advantage to earn the win over Giese.
The ResTech Systems Stock/Super Stock Shootout featured Brett Speer in his 1990 Chevrolet Camaro and Jack Beutler in his 1992 Ciera. Beutler fired first with an impressive .001 reaction time, but Speer answered with a double-o light and claimed the victory in a double-breakout finish.
Saturday – Race #3 - NHRA 75th Anniversary Challenge
Saturday brought another cool and windy day, but racers turned out in force with over 300 entries competing for Race #3 honors and special NHRA 75th Anniversary Challenge Wally trophies and championship rings.
ResTech Systems Super Pro
Brian Tuma debuted a recently acquired 1963 Corvette Roadster and drove it to the winner's circle. Tuma used a slight reaction-time advantage to defeat Joe Schmall and his 1971 Vega in the final round.
Track Stop Pro ET
Joe Howell wheeled his 1986 Mustang to victory over Carl Geib's 1980 Monza. Howell combined a reaction-time advantage with a dead-on 5.913-second pass on his 5.91 dial to secure the win.
Thunder Valley Classic Cars Sportsman
Shawn Carlson's 1973 Plymouth Scamp faced Chris Henry's 1994 Chevrolet Camaro in the final. Carlson's .007 reaction time proved to be too difficult to overcome, giving him the win.
DOA Dragsleds & Bikes
Jimmy Paulson rode his 2017 ZX-14 to the win over Mike Voss aboard his 1992 Suzuki. Although Voss won the starting-line battle, a breakout pass handed the victory to Paulson.
Feist Automotive & Towing Stock/Super Stock
Saturday also featured Day One of the Midwest Class Racers Paul Bunyan Classic presented by Barrett Pet Food Innovations. The final round saw Rod Neugebauer's 1970 Plymouth Duster take on Ben Line's 1969 Ford Mustang. In a double-breakout finish, Neugebauer claimed the victory.
Competition Trophy
Morgan Keskey drove her 1995 Chevrolet Camaro to victory after Mark Turner turned on the red light in his 1969 Oldsmobile.
Street Trophy
Jim Stockton used both a reaction-time advantage and a closer-to-the-dial pass in his 2016 Dodge Durango to defeat Keith Larson's 1972 Chevrolet Camaro.
Junior Drag Racing League Challenge Winners
Saturday's junior racers also competed for special NHRA 75th Anniversary Challenge Wally trophies and championship rings.
Junior Street: Ty Reynolds defeated Drew Schalm after Schalm went red by .006 seconds.
Junior Dragster Advanced: Evan Songas used a reaction-time advantage to defeat Ty Reynolds.
Junior Dragster Intermediate: Jasper Urbik earned the win over Bryn Reynolds.
Junior Dragster Novice: Jackson Wilczek claimed the victory over Gray Sipper.
Sunday's weather was a welcome change, with sunshine, lighter winds, and warmer temperatures creating nearly perfect racing conditions. A total of 310 entries competed in Race #4.
ResTech Systems Super Pro
The final round featured Dustin Jones driving Todd Larson's 1970 AMX against Gabe Killian's 1992 Mustang. Killian posted a perfect .000 reaction time, but Jones drove around him at the finish line, taking the win by just .003 seconds.
Track Stop Pro ET
In an all 'Team Blackout' final, we saw Nick Engler's 1969 Coronet square off against Andy Kuklok's 1980 Malibu. Although Engler ran dead-on 9, Kuklok's reaction-time advantage proved to be the difference as he collected the hole-shot win by 005.
Thunder Valley Classic Car Sportsman
Luke Schneider's 1967 Nova SS and Grant Pesola's 1997 Dodge Ram produced a close final round. With nearly identical reaction times, Schneider's dead-on pass gave him the Race #4 victory.
DOA Dragsleds & Bikes
Mike Cheney continued his strong rookie season, using a reaction-time advantage to defeat 2025 Rookie of the Year Nicole Bump and earn his second win of the year.
Feist Automotive & Towing Stock/Super Stock
Day Two of the Midwest Class Racers Paul Bunyan Classic presented by Barrett Pet Food Innovations concluded with Mike Mans' 2000 Pontiac Firebird facing Brett Kopejtka's 1986 Dodge Charger. Despite waiting more than seven seconds for his tree to activate due to the dial difference, Mans was able to run him down using a reaction-time advantage to score the victory.
Competition Trophy
Keith Frame drove his 1969 Ford Mustang to victory after Kaela Wrobel fouled in her 1997 Chevrolet Corvette.
Street Trophy
Kenny Lundberg used a reaction-time advantage in his 2014 Ford Taurus to defeat Mike Larson's 1972 Chevrolet Camaro.
Junior Winners
Junior Street: Mason Jahr defeated Ty Reynolds after Reynolds broke out.
Junior Dragster Advanced: Bodie Carlson defeated Evan Songas in a heads-up race using a reaction time advantage to turn on his win light.
Junior Dragster Intermediate: Jasper Urbik completed a perfect weekend by earning his second win, defeating Braxton Haugaard.
Junior Dragster Novice: Cameron Davis used a reaction-time advantage to defeat Taylor Smisek.
Congratulations to all of our race winners and finalists. Thank you to everyone who spent the weekend at BIR and helped produce another outstanding Summit ET Bracket Series event.
We'll be right back in action next weekend June 19-21 for Races #5 and #6 as the battle for the 2026 season championships 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 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