Throughout the year, the Tri-Cities region plays hosts to a number of youth sports tournaments, including several Amateur Athletic Union events. Many people, however, may be surprised to learn one of the largest youth-oriented sports events in the area occurs here in the hills of Thunder Valley.
Beginning with last weekend's Mike Bos Racing.com Junior Dragster Nationals and continuing through Saturday's final eliminations at the O'Reilly Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals presented by Gaged Engineering, more than 700 drivers, ranging in age from 8-17, will take their turn at tackling the legendary Bristol Dragway.
Eight racing categories, determined by age, make up the Eastern Conference Finals. Competitors drive half-scale dragsters powered by five-horsepower engines capable of reaching speeds up to 85 mph. Drivers will be racing for team and individual honors, as well as a share of the $98,000 purse.
In addition to prize money, the "Wally" trophy, featuring the likeness of NHRA founder Wally Parks, will be given to the winners in each category. The "Wally," the most coveted trophy in drag racing, is the same trophy given to event winners in NHRA's professional categories.
The locations represented by winners at last season's event display the diversity represented at the Eastern Conference Finals. Those reaching winner's circle in 2007 came from Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New York. Currently, 27 eastern U.S. states, eastern Canada, Australia and Ireland are represented by pre-registered competitors. Tracks located in the western U.S., Canada and Mexico, will attend the Western Conference Finals at Bandimere Speedway in Denver.
Each NHRA member track that hosts a Jr. Dragster program may put together up to three teams of 10 drivers. Members of those teams earn points for their tracks, and the top scoring team wins the conference final.
For kids interested in racing, the NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League creates family involvement in drag racing at a safe and affordable level. Many of the league's graduates have gone on to compete in other NHRA classes. NHRA Top Fuel racer J.R. Todd and Pro Stock racers Erica Enders and Richie Stevens are graduates of NHRA's Jr. Drag Racing League.
Other Jr. Drag Racing League alumnae have gone on to compete in various classes in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and, in 2007, Shawn Langdon became the league's first graduate to earn a national championship when he took the 2007 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Super Comp crown. Several former Jr. Dragster competitors have gone on to win divisional titles as well.
Those visiting Thunder Valley this week may well see several racers that will make names for themselves in the highest ranks of the sport in the future. For these drivers, the first "Wally" of their careers may come during the O'Reilly Eastern Conference Finals at Bristol Dragway.
For more information about the O'Reilly Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals presented by Gaged Engineering, please call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com.