Brainerd International Raceway to Host 42nd Annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

Brainerd, MN—The fastest show on Earth returns to Brainerd International Raceway in for the 42nd Annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. The world’s best drag racers will be on display and serving up a steady diet of nitro-fueled drag racing August 15-18, 2024. Here’s what you get—the world’s best drag racers, the fastest cars, the most insane race fans anywhere and an experience like no other at a beautiful venue in the heart of Central Minnesota’s lake country.

Everyone has heard stories about BIR during the NHRA Nationals but you have to experience it yourself because there’s nothing that compares. Gates open at 7:00 a.m. daily starting Thursday.

At center stage is four days of ground-pounding, lightning-fast, blow-your-mind drag racing. Every household name in drag racing competes at the NHRA Nationals on BIR’s world-renown track—the fastest drag strip in the country.

The stars of the NHRA will be pushing themselves and their cars to the limits as they compete for a world championship in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series.

This kind of racing isn’t for the faint of heart. The Top Fuel Dragsters get down the quarter-mile track in less than four seconds at speeds over 330 mph. They crank out 11,000 horsepower along the way. Blink at the wrong time and they’re long gone.

Every ticket comes with a pit pass, so fans can watch teams tear down their race cars and rebuild them between races. You can stand within feet of the crews as they crank up the car, sending the smell and burn of nitro fuel into the crowd. You can’t get that anywhere else. Bring a pen and paper because drivers are readily available for autographs.

On the Nitro Alley midway, manufacturers and sponsors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and freebies.

For daytime parking, fans drive into the track and park before buying your ticket. Find information on ticket prices or purchase them online HERE.

Plan your trip to Brainerd and BIR today. Finding hotel lodging information, things to do, and a calendar of area events on our website.