Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals @ BIR

As some of you motorheads know I was up at my annual pilgrimage in Brainerd Minnesota, at Brainerd International Raceway for the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals this weekend.  BIR though never represented in any racing simulation is famous for being the fastest track in the world thanks to world record setting elapsed times set by the NHRA and their two fastest nitromethane classes. Top Fuel and Funny Car classes are powered by the same type of engine, a 500cid super charged Hemi drinking nitromethane producing an estimated 10,000hp!  Enough to propel you to 330mph in under 4sec!

BIR did not disappoint and once again proved itself as the fastest or quickest track in the world! Two-time Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan rocketed to the No. 1 qualifier Saturday. Hagan blistered the track in his Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T with a 3.822-second pass at 333.82 mph to set the elapsed time world record and claim his third No. 1 spot of the season and 24th of his career. 








The great thing about the NHRA is the unrestricted access you have with the drivers and cars.  You can literally be inches away from the cars and bump into famous drivers and legends all over the pit area! Like John Force on his scooter.





Early Sunday morning race day we walk the track with the always mysteriously ubiquitous "MOPAR MAN." He seems to always be there but always in complete anonymity.
 




As is their unpublished custom, super star Funny Car driving champion Matt Hagen meets with "MOPAR Man" for a brief mutual admiration session.






Working into the late night.






Maybe the strangest car at the races.





Another meet comes to a close, another season of racing in the land of sky blue waters ends, but rest assured "MOPAR Man" will return next year.