It's one of the biggest events of the summer in Minnesota. It's the 30th annual National Hot Rod Association Lucas Oil Nationals at the Brainerd International Raceway.
Brainerd is a favorite event of many NHRA drivers and teams. Fans also love it, they've been camping out for days. If you've never been to Brainerd for drag racing, you need to go.
More than 100,000 people will fill the bleachers, easily doubling the population of the entire Brainerd Lakes Region and then some. The hotels literally fill up within 60 miles of us to accommodate that number of people and this week's race alone will generate $10 million of revenue for the area.
More than 230 people are hired to work at the event over the weekend, so a lot of people get part-time jobs and they get a chance to watch the races at the same time. ESPN 2 wil be televison the action on Saturday and Sunday.
The television and media exposure is worth millions alone to the region in exposure alone.
This is the biggest weekend of the year for Brainerd tourism, not to mention the fans. Through Sunday it will be all about fun, especially for the winners.
