Brainerd ‘Battle For the Axe’ Lights Up Friday Night Qualifying at NHRA Nationals

Friday night at the 44th NHRA Brainerd Nationals brings back the “Battle for the Axe,” staged in the second professional qualifying session at Brainerd International Raceway.

The contest awards cash to the low qualifiers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock, adding jeopardy to a critical run window and sharpening the competitive order before Saturday.

Backed by Visit Brainerd & Baxter, the initiative ties on-track performance to the region’s showcase, steering visitors to lodging, dining, breweries, and outdoor Northwoods activities across the weekend.

Raceway owner Kristi Copham frames the concept as more than a prize purse. It rewards execution under pressure while spotlighting the area’s identity and hospitality for fans and teams.

Local color is central, with Babe the Blue Ox joining the raceway’s Nitro Babe on Friday and Sunday, reinforcing the Paul Bunyan folklore running through Brainerd’s fan experience.

Trophies match that theme. Minnesota woodcarvers I Saw It In MN produce custom chainsaw-carved axes live in the Manufacturers Midway throughout Friday, giving fans a rare behind-the-scenes view.

On-track, Pro Stock starts Friday’s second session at 6 p.m. CT, followed by Funny Car and Top Fuel at 6:30 p.m. Saturday qualifying runs are at noon and 2:30 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m.

The Brainerd Nationals is round 13 of NHRA’s 20-event campaign, a pivotal phase in championship positioning as the series marks its 75th anniversary season.

Last year’s Brainerd winners were Doug Kalitta in Top Fuel, Austin Prock in Funny Car, and Greg Anderson in Pro Stock. Kalitta’s strong venue debut underlines the form required to convert qualifying pace into race-day control.

FS1 will broadcast eliminations nationally, broadening exposure for an event that remains a penultimate highlight on the NHRA calendar for both performance and fan engagement.

Friday night’s session also profiles contenders in the “Battle for the Axe,” including drivers such as Jack Beckman, for whom bonus-chasing laps can set the tone for the weekend.

Recent Brainerd storylines also feature rising winners, including Dubbin’s breakthrough victory, reinforcing how momentum can swing quickly through mid-season.

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Nicholas Rivera

Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.