NHRA O'Reilly Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals July 7, 2008 - July 12, 2008 Bristol Dragway once again plays host to the National Hot Rod Association's O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals. The 2008 edition, which will take place July 7-12, is expected to attract more than 700 racers from all states east of the Mississippi River. For the first time, the Mike Bos Junior Dragster Nationals, taking place July 5-6, will be held in conjunction with the Eastern Conference Finals. Junior Dragster teams will rule the strip with over eight days of action in Thunder Valley. The first Jr. 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. The event 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. The NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League allows children, 8 to 17, to compete on an eighth-mile track in half-scale dragsters powered by five-horsepower engines. All dragsters must conform to NHRA technical and safety standards and drivers must wear a helmet, neck collar, safety jacket and safety gloves. Single day spectator tickets are available for $15 each day. Kids six and under are free. For additional information: Bristol Dragway General Information - 423-764-DRAG Administrative Manager - Brandon Cross, 423-989-6953 Sales - Chad Fleeman, 423-989-6936 Marketing and Promotions - Christopher Perrin, 423-989-6943 Operations - Jack Cocklin, 423-989-6989 Media and Public Relations - Wes Ramey, 423-989-6991