Brainerd International Raceway’s Bracket Drag Racing Series ended its 12-race season last weekend much like it started last May, when drag racers were welcomed with summerlike weather.
More than 300 drag racers took advantage of the balmy temps last weekend for one last shot at a series championship and a Wally trophy, like the stars of the NHRA win. Saturday’s race was the annual Wally Race where the winners of nine of the 10 classes took home Wally trophies.
Steve Roehrs already has a collection of Wallys and he added to again Saturday by winning the Pro ET class. And as if that wasn’t impressive enough, he followed it up Sunday by winning the Super Pro class. The Pro ET and Super Pro classes are the largest classes and two of the toughest classes to win. The Pro ET class featured 95 racers while Super Pro had 92, requiring the winners of each class to win seven rounds.
Roehrs rolled through the first six rounds in Pro ET Saturday before lining up across from Philip Johnson in the finals. Roehrs was too quick for Johnson, though, beating him off the starting line and at the finish line. His winning time was 6.444 seconds and 105.14 mph.
On Sunday, Roehrs brought his winning ways to the Super Pro class where he raced his way to the finals again. He was matched up with Brian Johnson, who’s always tough to beat and was the No. 1 qualifier, followed closely by No. 2 Roehrs. Roehrs was a hair quicker off the starting line and Johnson couldn’t catch him. Roehrs’ winning time was 6.470 seconds.
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The Bracket Drag Racing Series was just one part of a much larger Fall Wet & Wild Weekend at BIR last weekend. With the Bracket series on the dragstrip, the Central Roadracing Association was on the road course for motorcycle racing. The International Watercross Association was on Lake BIR for two days of watercross, as all three racing circuits finalized their seasons with championships on the line. The Self Made Status Drift Crew was on the Pro Pad for three days of drifting exhibitions, and a swap meet rounded out the weekend.
Back on the dragstrip, Paul Songas swept the Comp Trophy class, taking home a Wally trophy on Saturday and ending his 2021 season with 10 straight wins. He beat Mark Turner in Saturday’s finals with a time of 8.105 seconds and 84.88 mph. On Sunday, Songas beat Jazper Wiebusch in the finals after clocking a time of 8.215 seconds and 84.14 mph.
Paul wasn’t the only Songas parading through the Winner’s Circle. His son Colin Songas was one win away from winning a Wally, when he lost in Saturday’s Junior Dragster Immediate finals to Ty Reynolds.
The Carlson boys spent some time in the Winner’s Circle, too. Colt Carlson swept the Junior Dragster Novice class, winning both days and taking home a Wally trophy Saturday. He beat his brother Bodie in Saturday’s final and Mason Jahr in Sunday’s final. The Carlson brothers’ dad was busy winning as well. Shawn Carlson lost in the second round of Saturday’s Sportsman class but regrouped and came back Sunday to run the table enroute to a win. He beat Dan Butler in the finals with a winning time of 7.526 seconds.
Jimmy Paulson lost only one race all weekend. Unfortunately for him, it was Saturday’s Pro Bike/Sled finals, where he would’ve won another Wally trophy. He lost in the finals to Jason Ponsness, whose 1995 Ski Doo Mach Z snowmobile was too quick for Paulson. Ponsness eeked out a win with a time of 6.462 seconds and 102.29 mph.
In Sunday’s finals, Paulson beat Max Niesen by a sliver. The two left the starting line at nearly the same time but Paulson was a bit quicker and held off Niesen at the finish line with a winning time of 5.664 seconds and 119.46 mph.
The following are the finals results of each class.
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Saturday, Sept. 25
Super Pro
Finals: Ed Holmgren of Oak Park def. Matt Arnold of West Fargo, N.D.
Pro ET
Finals: Steve Roehrs of Frederic, Wis. def. Philip Johnson of Inver Grove Heights
Super Pro/Pro ET Shootout
Finals: Ed Holmgren of Oak Park def. Steve Roehrs of Frederic, Wis.
Sportsman
Finals: Todd Larson of Bagley def. Grant Pesola of Nashwauk
Stock/Super Stock
Finals: Ben Line of International Falls def. Lance Line of Cromwell
Pro Bike/Sled
Finals: Jason Ponsness of Foley def. Jimmy Paulson of Stacy
Comp Trophy
Finals: Paul Songas of Stacy def. Mark Turner of Verndale
Street Trophy
Finals: Mark Vigil of Long Prairie won
Junior Dragster Advanced
Finals: Zane Moulzolf of Foley def. Riley Luberda of Fole
Junior Dragster Intermediate
Finals: Ty Reynolds of Cologne def. Colin Songas of Stacy
Junior Dragster Novice
Finals: Colt Carlson of Elbow Lake def. Bodie Carlson of Elbow Lake
Sunday, Sept. 26
Super Pro
Finals: Steve Roehrs of Frederic, Wis. def. Brian Johnson of Anoka
Pro ET
Finals: Cole Casteel of Minot, N.D. def. Brad Mickle of Lino Lakes
Super Pro/Pro ET Shootout
Finals: Steve Roehrs of Frederic, Wis. def. Cole Casteel of Minot, N.D.
Sportsman
Finals: Shawn Carlson of Elbow Lake def. Dan Butler of Fargo, N.D.
Stock/Super Stock
Finals: Ronald Zenzen of St. Cloud def. Tracy Fairchild of Aitkin
Pro Bike/Sled
Finals: Jimmy Paulson of Stacy def. Max Niesen of Brooklyn Park
Comp Trophy
Finals: Paul Songas of Stacy def. Jazper Wiebusch of Ham Lake
Street Trophy
Finals: Tyler Gadacz of Little Falls def. Garrison Rue of Waverly
Junior Dragster Advanced
Finals: Megan Cielinski of Gilman def. Jordin Jurgens of Watertown, S.D.
Junior Dragster Intermediate
Finals: Lily Covington of Aitkin def. Ty Reynolds of Cologne
Junior Dragster Novice
Finals: Colt Carlson of Elbow Lake def. Mason Jahr of Foley
