BRAINERD, Minn. - Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) will host the NHRA West Central Division Summit Racing Series Finals Sept. 16-18, 2005. More than 500 drivers in seven classes from NHRA Member Tracks from across the West Central Division will compete for team and individual honors as well as a share of cash and contingencies of more than $100,000. Drivers in the High School class will race for trophies.

Winners in the Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle/Snowmobile classes will also earn the opportunity to compete at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif. They will run against champions from NHRA's other six divisions for a national title and a $5,000 winner-takes-all payday. Each driver who advances to Pomona will also receive $3,500 for competing in the Finals.

Gates at BIR open at 7 a.m. each day. Time trials start at 9 a.m. Friday and continue Saturday at 9 a.m. The Race of Champions, a race within a race that pits the top points-earning drivers from each track in head-to-head competition, is slated for 1 p.m. Saturday. Eliminations begin Sunday at 9 a.m.

Led Super Pro winner Mark Ryberg, the team from BIR took home the championship from Heartland Park Topeka in Kansas last year.

For more information about the event, call BIR at (218) 824-7220.

SUMMIT RACING SERIES WEST CENTRAL DIVISION FINALS: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals, where top drivers from NHRA member tracks across the West Central Division compete in seven classes for individual and team honors. Individual champions will advance to a national run-off at the NHRA Auto Club of Southern California Finals at Pomona Raceway in Calif.

WHERE: Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minn. Track is located at 4343 Highway 371 North in Brainerd.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, September 16-18, 2005.

SCHEDULE: Time trials schedule for the Summit Racing Series West Central Division Finals:

FRIDAY, Sept. 16 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Time trials begin at 9 a.m.

SATURDAY, Sept. 17 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Final time trials begin at 9 a.m. The Race of Champions will begin at 1 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 18 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m.

PURSE: The Summit E.T. Racing Series competitors in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle/Snowmobile will compete for cash and contingency awards of more than $100,000. The winners in each category will advance to compete against winners from NHRA's other six divisions at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November. They will each receive $3,500 for competing in the Finals and the winner in each class will receive an additional $5,000. The special High School Eliminator winners will receive a trophy and other awards.

2004 EVENT WINNERS: Brainerd Int'l Raceway, Brainerd, Minn., team champion; Mark Ryberg, Brainerd Int'l Raceway, Super Pro; Jason Novacek, Heartland Park Topeka, Pro; Tim Larson, Bandimere Speedway, Sportsman; Dale Dettlie, Rock Falls Raceway, Motorcycle; Luke Siebert, Heartland Park Topeka, High School.

FEATURES: More than 500 drivers in six racing categories: Super Pro (cars running 7.00 seconds to 12.00 seconds), Pro (7.00-13.00), Sportsman (13.00 and slower), Motorcycles (7.50-14.00), High School (10.99 and slower). Also featured is a Race of Champions (ROC), a race within a race featuring the top points earners from each track in the division. There will be one Race of Champions winner in cars and one in motorcycle/snowmobile.