 It may not feel like it with the recent weather, but racing season in Brainerd is only a few months away. Our Anthony Scott explains how Brainerd International Raceway is moving full speed ahead despite suffering a tragic loss last November. Shockwaves were sent through Brainerd's racing community last November when Jed Copeland, the owner of Brainerd International Raceway, died in a swimming accident in Florida. It was tragic. It was a great loss for the family obviously, but also for the racing community, BIR, the staff. He was certainly beloved by everybody, the face of BIR. Jed co-owned BIR with his wife Christie, and the track will stay in the family as Christie has taken over as the solo owner. She decided fairly quickly that she wanted to do that and she'd been involved in the day-to-day operations anyway from the get-go. She's been out here at all the events and spent a lot of time out here. So yeah, I think it's going to be a fairly easy transition for her. The 2019 race schedule looks similar to any other season, filled with drag and street races, along with their marquee event in August, the Lucas Oil and HRA Nationals. Fans can also experience the track firsthand as BIR's performance driving school and their Wednesday street drag nights are back. We'll have great racing all year long. People can expect that. The racers and the fans and everybody have really showed a lot of support throughout this whole thing. I'm excited to get back on the track and get back to BIR itself. So yeah, we're really looking for a good year again and that's going to be fun. But the track and the racing community in Brainerd will never forget Jed Copeland as BIR plans to honor their former owner throughout the year. Yeah, we want to keep this legacy alive obviously. He poured his heart and soul into this place and kind of got it to where he really wanted it and like I said, people have been really supportive. 2018 ended in tragedy for the BIR family, but they are putting their foot back on the gas for 2019. Yeah, we're working hard to get ready for the season and it's going to come fast and it's going to be a blast. Reporting from Brainerd, Anthony Scott, Lakeland News. The racing season officially kicks off with BIR's annual racer banquet on February 23rd. For more information on events happening at BIR, you can check out the story on our website.