The NHRA Brainerd Nationals delivered the usual mix of nitro-fueled competition and legendary campground chaos, but for Spencer Hyde and Head Racing, the weekend was about more than what happened on the racetrack.
OUTLAW Light Beer joined Hyde and the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car team as the primary sponsor for the weekend, bringing a bold blue-and-white look to the Jim Head-led Funny Car and an unmistakable presence to Brainerd International Raceway.The partnership extended well beyond the racetrack. OUTLAW took over a spot in Brainerd’s famous campground, known as The Zoo, where the brand handed out plenty of free product and helped fuel the party atmosphere that makes Brainerd one of the most unique stops on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule.
“OUTLAW absolutely crushed it this weekend,” said Hyde. “From the moment we rolled into Brainerd, they brought a ton of energy. The car looked incredible in that blue and white, and then you walk through The Zoo and see OUTLAW everywhere, giving people free product and just having a great time with the fans. That’s what Brainerd is all about.”
Hyde made a point of spending time in The Zoo each evening, meeting fans and joining the OUTLAW crew as they connected with racegoers throughout the weekend.
“It was also really cool to have the OUTLAW group in our pits and to have them up on the starting line for the unveiling before the first qualifying run,” said Hyde. “They got to see the whole experience from the inside, and I think they had as much fun as we did.”
OUTLAW also surprised Hyde with a special merch drop during the weekend, presenting him with a matching pair of sneakers designed to coordinate with the car’s blue-and-white livery.
“That was a pretty awesome surprise,” said Hyde. “They showed up with these shoes that matched the car, and now I’ve got to figure out how to keep them clean. It was a really cool touch and just another example of how much thought OUTLAW put into the weekend. They didn’t just put their name on the car, they really got involved and became part of the team.”
On the racetrack, Hyde qualified in the No. 12 position with a 3.988 second, 284.93 mph pass during Friday’s second qualifying session. He faced No. 5 qualifier J.R. Todd in Sunday’s opening round. Todd, the most recent winner on the NHRA tour entering Brainerd, was quicker at the finish line despite Hyde getting the jump off the starting line.
“I’m proud of the way we left the starting line, but J.R. was able to get around us,” said Hyde. “We’ll take the positives, go back to work with Jim and the guys and keep building.”
With the Brainerd Nationals now in the books, Hyde and Head Racing turn their attention to the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, the biggest event of the NHRA season and the final race of the regular season. The prestigious Labor Day weekend event will also feature points-and-a-half scoring, making every qualifying and elimination-round point especially valuable.
“I’m really looking forward to Indy,” said Hyde. “It’s the U.S. Nationals, it’s the biggest race of the year, and with points and a half on the line, there’s a lot to race for. We know we have the speed to make some noise, so we’re going to take what we learned in Brainerd, keep pushing and go after a big weekend in Indy.”
Hyde and the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car, backed by Hyde Construction, OUTLAW Light Beer and the Caine Group, will be back in NHRA competition in two weeks at the historic Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals on September 2-7 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Indiana. There will be one qualifying session on Friday, September 4, two qualifying sessions on Saturday, September 5 and two more qualifying sessions on Sunday, September 6. Race day will be contested on Labor Day, Monday, September 7. For tickets or more information on the NHRA U.S. Nationals visit nhra.com.
