Brainerd International, Come for the Trans Am Series, Stay for the Party

Brainerd, Minnesota, June 29, 2016 - Lux Performance Group returns to Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) for the Trans Am Series’ July 3rd "Ryan Companies Independence Day Classic" race. Despite having only raced here once before, the Brainerd, Minnesota-area track proved to be very good for the Aloha, Oregon-based two car, Dodge Viper ACR-X program. In 2015, lead driver Cindi Lux (Aloha, Oregon) drove to her first-ever Trans Am Series’ TA3 class victory from pole position. Showing the overall team effort, trailing just off the rear-wing of Lux’s No. 45 Lux Performance Group Dodge Viper ACR-X in both qualifying and the 100-mile race was Sherwood, Oregon’s Steve Streimer in the No. 42 Lux entry. The dynamic duo looks to repeat that performance this weekend and follow it with Fourth of July celebration at the Trans Am Series’ biggest party track.

Before you look at the 2.5-mile, 12-turn BIR facility or the weekend as just another racetrack, keep in mind this is Independence Day weekend and Brainerd is all about the party. 2015 proved that as the Fred Lux (Aloha, Oregon)-headed effort rolled into town and immediately felt at home. BIR is an old-school track without all the fancy amenities but with real character… and real fast lap times. It is a place of legend, the type those who missed the "golden era" wish they could enjoy today. It is a weekend of fireworks on and off the track, fans standing around campfires at night and drivers burning Hoosier rubber during the day. This track is ‘merica.

Lux Performance Group is making its second start of the 2016 50th Anniversary season of Trans Am, billed as "America’s Road Racing Series". Lux and Streimer stood on the podium – second and third-places respectively – at Watkins Glen International earlier this year. Following this weekend, the team will travel over the state border to Wisconsin’s Road America (August 24-27), then down to VIRginia International Raceway (September 21-24) and to NOLA Motorsports Park in Louisiana, October 12-15.

CBS Sports Network will televise race on Sunday, July 31 at 1:00 PM ET. For the full slate of race’s on CBS Sports, visit http://gotransam.com/news/index.cfm?cid=64719


Quotes |
Cindi Lux, Driver, No. 45 Lux Performance Group Dodge Viper ACR-X | "Brainerd reminds me of old school tracks.  It’s not perfect but that is what I like about it.  Kind of reminds me of Nelson Ledges back in the ‘80’s when we raced in the 24-hour races there. The fans are super engaging and they love their racing. Our Vipers will be super good here. With long, high-speed sweeping corners and heavy braking zones, they will be put through the paces. Time to suck it up and have some fun on July Fourth weekend! Can’t think of a better place to celebrate our nation’s independence day with our team, who I consider family."

Steve Streimer, No. 42 Lux Performance Group Dodge Viper ACR-X | "I have been looking forward to returning to the Ryan Companies Independence Day Classic in Brainerd all year! There is just something about a place where you see a Polaris Razor, American flag in tow, driving down the highway on the way to the track. Add to that the hundreds of campers, a drag strip that seems to be open all weekend and a chance to race the number 42 Dodge Viper again; this is set to be one of my favorite race weekends all year. Note to self, stay inside after dusk so I am not eaten alive by those Paul Bunyan-sized mosquitoes."