Reviving the Brainerd International Raceway
BRAINERD, Minn. — In 1993, I noticed a sports car idling beside me, gave a thumbs-up, and awaited the signal to accelerate as I prepared to race. KTHI-TV (now KVLY) sports anchor Dan Hammer and I were participating in the Brainerd 300 media day at Brainerd International Raceway. We hit speeds over 100 mph along the lengthy straightaway before navigating the twists and turns of the three-mile course.
This experience was much smoother compared to the initial group of media drivers, who all sped off at once on the first green flag. Nervous staff and spectators observed as they raced down the track, slamming on brakes to avoid collisions at the first turn.
Reflecting on the track’s history, BIR faced significant challenges two decades earlier when it first opened as Donnybrooke Speedway, built by George Montgomery. It boasted a mile-long straightaway, leading racers to anticipate speeds of over 200 mph. However, by the summer of 1972, problems like bad weather and low attendance had started to impact the track, leading to its foreclosure by March 1973.
In November of that year, racer Jerry Hansen and his colleague Dick Roe purchased the struggling track, which was at that point under the ownership of a construction magnate from Edina. Upon examining the property, Roe found a newly constructed 5,000-seat grandstand, only to discover later that the bank had repossessed it, dismantling it to sell parts to the University of North Dakota.
With only the track, a tower, and minimal facilities left, Roe realized they had to rebuild from the ground up and rebranded it as Brainerd International Raceway. Even in its vacant state, vandals wreaked havoc, damaging the communication equipment in the tower. Determined to restore the track, Roe secured sponsorships that funded the necessary improvements, including installing new bleachers for thousands of fans.
Efforts to revitalize the track continued with numerous partnerships from local businesses and organizations, addressing camping issues and gaining community support to overcome sound restrictions imposed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Their collaboration culminated in legislative changes, allowing the track to operate without facing business closure, and by 1976, major control had shifted to Roe and racer Dick Kantrude.
Brainerd International Raceway has endured legendary racers like Shirley Muldowney, Don Prudhomme, and even actor Paul Newman, who won his first professional race there in 1982. Through different ownership seasons and challenges, the racetrack remains a beloved institution, symbolizing resilience and community spirit in Minnesotan motorsports.
