For the fourth year in a row, Bristol Dragway will host the National Hot Rod Association’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals.  The 2007 edition, which will take place July 11-14, is expected to attract more than 700 racers from all states east of the Mississippi River.  

The first Junior Dragster National Finals, held in 1994, was a one-day event at Indianapolis Raceway Park.  The popularity of the Jr. Dragster series led to the creation of two finals, the Eastern Conference Final in Bristol and the Western Conference Final at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Colo.  The competitors in these two events will race for a combined $100,000 purse in savings bonds. 

Bristol Dragway officials have put together a number of  special offers and activities for families visiting Thunder Valley for the Eastern Conference Finals.

The always-popular movie night returns with “Night at the Museum” on Thursday.  Dragway officials are working hard to create an all-new kid’s area with a beach theme.  Participants will be able to cool off in the swimming pool, play on the inflatables, test their video game skills at the gaming trailer or play a game of basketball. 

Bristol Dragway will provide participants with coupons for $10 off adult tickets and $5 off children’s tickets for the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, July 6-8.  Participants also will be able to camp free at the corner of Hwy. 394 and White Top Road during the O’Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals.

The Junior Dragster Eastern Conference Finals is open to drivers from Divisions 1, 2 and 3, and select tracks in Division 4.  Each NHRA member track may send up to three teams of 10 racers to participate in the race.  Team members earn points for their home track, with the top scoring team winning the conference final.

Individual winners in each of the eight age categories – 8-9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16-17 – receive a $5,000 savings bond and the coveted “Wally” trophy, featuring the likeness of NHRA founder Wally Parks.  In addition, each member of the top scoring team will receive a $300 savings bond and a Wally. 

Spectator tickets for each day are $15.  Kids six and under are admitted free.

On Wednesday, July 11, gates open at 9 a.m. with inspection and a test and tune session at 9:30 a.m. 

The Eastern Conference Finals will begin on Thursday, July 12 when gates open at 7:30 a.m.  Each participant will take two time trial runs beginning at 8 a.m.  Movie night will begin at 9 p.m.

Gates open at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, July 13, with tech inspection at 8 a.m.  Time trials begin at 8 a.m. and end at 2 p.m.  The first round of eliminations kicks off at 2 p.m.  A cookout is scheduled for 5 p.m. and a special awards ceremony will begin at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, July 14, the final day of eliminations, gates open and racing begins at 8:00 a.m.

For more information about the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals, please call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com.