Brainerd International Raceway has added a NASCAR-sanctioned race for late model cars to its 2004 schedule.

It will be the first time BIR has hosted a NASCAR-sanctioned event.

The race will be a stop for the NASCAR Elite Division's Midwest Series. BIR's race is scheduled Aug. 20-22 and will feature a $100,000 purse plus series points.

"We couldn't be more excited to have NASCAR coming to BIR this summer," BIR general manager Scott Quick said. "We've been working with NASCAR for the last few years, trying to work out the details of making this race happen."

The race is expected to attract as many as 50 drivers, with qualifying rounds Aug. 20-21 and the finals Aug. 22, which will feature a 60-lap, 180-mile grand finale.

The Midwest Series 2004 schedule will include 12-15 races but only the BIR race will be on a road course, a track that has left- and right-hand turns. BIR's road course features seven right-hand and three left-hand turns.

Most NASCAR tracks are oval or teardrop shaped. The last time Midwest Series drivers competed on a road course was in 2001 at Road America in Wisconsin. BIR's race is expected to attract drivers from outside the series who enjoy racing on road courses. Included could be drivers from the Winston Cup and Busch series.

The Midwest Series includes races in Colorado, Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. All tracks on last year's schedule were considerably shorter than BIR's. Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill., (1.25 miles long) and Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colo., (one mile) were the only tracks longer than five-eighths of a mile. BIR's track will be, by far, the longest track on the series.

"Adding NASCAR racing to our schedule is important because we'll be introducing BIR to a new segment of motorsports fans," BIR president Bill Singleterry said. "I think there's a misconception out there that BIR offers drag racing only, when in fact our road course is a world-class track and fans will have another opportunity this summer to see it in action."