The SCCA Trans Am Series returns to Brainerd International Raceway for the first time in 20 years.

The Trans-Am will be on BIR's 2.5-mile, 13-turn Competition Road Course Sept. 3 for testing and tuning, and racing will be featured Sept. 4 and Sept. 5.

On the drag strip, the Muscle Car Shootout will feature the third and final race in the Outlaw Street Car Series, where racers in the fast five classes will battle for a track championship. Qualifying takes place Sept. 3-4 with eliminations Sept. 5.

It's a Dual Event Weekend where a single ticket gets fans in to see both races.

The Trans-Am Series has a rich history at BIR. It was one of the track's most popular events in the 1970s and '80s, starting with the Uncola Nationals in 1974, which attracted 17,000 fans.

Professionals like NASCAR's Ken Schrader and Jimmy Spencer were among those who raced in the series at BIR.

But it was actor Paul Newman who attracted the most attention. He set a lap record during the 1977 Uncola Nationals and won races in 1978 and 1979. He won his first professional race during the 1982 Trans-Am Series race here.

The Trans-Am Series plays an integral role in BIR's efforts to re-establish itself as a major road racing track. When BIR was built in 1968, it was a road course first and a drag strip second, hosting some of the top racers in the country during its Formula races, Can-Am Series races, AMA Superbike races and the Trans-Am Series.

Over time, the emphasis changed to drag racing and big road racing events disappeared.

That changed when Jed and Kristi Copham bought BIR in 2006 and pledged to bring back world-class road racing. The following year, they built a new section of track that created the Competition Road Course, which will host the Trans-Am. This is the second full season for competitive racing on the new road course.

The Trans-Am Series includes racing all three days, featuring Pro Formula Enterprise, Vintage, Pro Spec Racer Ford and SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am classes. Sept. 3 is testing followed by practice and qualifying sessions Sept. 4. Racing begins the morning of Sept. 5 and ends that afternoon with the 36-lap, 90-mile Trans-Am race.

On the drag strip, the weekend is the grand finale for Outlaw Street Car Series, a three-race competition for drag racers in the Outlaw, Pro Outlaw, King Street, Real Street Unlimited and Real Street Natural classes. Racers have earned series points during two previous races (Street Car Showdown and NAPA Auto Parts Show & Go) and have one last crack at a track championship.

Outlaw classes feature wheel-standing racing, where cars will cover the quarter mile in 6-7 seconds at more than 200 mph.

Off the track, fans will be treated to a classic car show in the infield and live music the night of Sept. 4 by Monsters of Mock, a 1980s tribute band.