Racing kicked off on Thursday for hundreds of kids and the 2010 NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals at Bristol Dragway.  The facility, located in Bristol, plays hosts to nearly 600 kids ages 8 to 17 years old and their families for the annual event presented by Viperizer Racing.  Competitors in eight categories race in half-scale dragsters at speeds up to 85 mph on the eighth-mile track in search of both team and individual honors and a share of nearly $100,000 in savings bonds.

Racing kicked off on Thursday for hundreds of kids and the 2010 NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals at Bristol Dragway.  The facility, located in Bristol, plays hosts to nearly 600 kids ages 8 to 17 years old and their families for the annual event presented by Viperizer Racing.  Competitors in eight categories race in half-scale dragsters at speeds up to 85 mph on the eighth-mile track in search of both team and individual honors and a share of nearly $100,000 in savings bonds.

Today was day one of the 3-day event which included two time trial runs for all competitors.  Bristol Dragway also hosts a number of events leading up to the Eastern Conference Finals extending the event to a full week of fun activities for all.

Friday’s action will include a single and final time trial for all racers and then round one of eliminations scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.  Saturday will consist of the remainder of eliminations and the crowning of champions in the 8 to 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 to 17 year-old age groups as well as the Team Champions from tracks throughout the eastern United States and Canada.  Each team is made up of 10 racers.

Six of the eight champions from last year’s event are on the entry list and are looking to repeat this year including No Problem Raceway racer Darian Boesch from Kenner, La; Northwest Tennessee Motorsports Park racer Morgan Keyser from Marion, Ill; Bradenton Motorsports Park racer Brian D. Miller from Winter Haven, Fla; Numidia Dragway racer Alexandra Guido from Lake Hopatcong, N.J.; and O’Reilly Raceway Park driver Cody Nott from Indianapolis, Ind.  Cardino Fornataro is also returning as last year’s 10-year-old champion as well as a member of the 2009 Team Champion from National Trail Raceway from Hebron, Ohio.

Gates at Bristol Dragway open at 7:30 a.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. on Saturday.  For additional information call Bristol Dragway (423) 764-DRAG (3724) or visit www.BristolDragway.com.