(May 24, 2010) - Thunder at the Lakes, featuring Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars, arrives at Brainerd International Raceway for the NHRA West Central Division’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series this weekend.

The event is the second of six in the West Central Division where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $560,000. And while drag racers are competing on the drag strip this weekend, the Sports Car Club of America will be on BIR’s Competition Road Course Saturday and Sunday with its Competition Racing License School. Fans can watch both events for the price of a single ticket.

Thunder at the Lakes is a perennial favorite among drag racing fans because it’s a preview of the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals in August. The same classes will compete this weekend except for the pro classes, including the two Top Fuel classes.

The Top Alcohol classes will provide most of the entertainment this weekend. These cars can top 280 mph and cover the quarter mile in 5 seconds. Last year’s Top Alcohol Dragster class was won by Dan Kracht, who qualified No. 1. He beat Jared Dreher in the final round with a 5.434-second run at 242.58 mph. Roger Bateman won the Top Alcohol Funny Car class last year when Scott McVey was unable to compete in the finals because of a damaged motor.

In addition to the Top Alcohol classes, Thunder at the Lakes will feature Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street classes. The division's Jerry Haas Race Cars Top Sportsman Series, West Central Division Top Dragster Series and the Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson will also run in the conjunction with the event.

Gates open at 7 a.m. every day. Qualifying and time trials start Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m. Top Dragster, Top Sportsman and Comp Eliminator start their qualifying sessions at 1 and 3:30 p.m. on Friday and noon and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car have one qualifying session on Friday at 4:30 p.m., and two on Saturday, at 1 and 4 p.m. Eliminations start Sunday at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars will run first round at noon.

Daily admission is $20 for adults and $10 for kids 6 to 12 years old. Children 5 and under are free with a paid adult.