2017 NHRA Summit Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals Coming to Bristol




NHRA JR. DRAG RACING EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS BRINGS THE BEST YOUNG DRAG RACERS TO BRISTOL DRAGWAY

BRISTOL, Tenn. – NHRA’s Jr. Drag Racing Eastern Conference Finals presented by Huddleston Performance will take place at Thunder Valley Bristol Dragway Thursday through Saturday, July 20- 22. The event will feature more than 500 drivers, from 6-17 years old, in eight racing categories piloting half-scale dragsters powered by five-horsepower motors reaching speeds up to 85 mph covering the eighth-mile track in as quick as 7.90 seconds. They will compete for team and individual honors and a share of the event purse. The event is one of two conference finals events in the NHRA Summit Jr. Drag Racing League.

Each of the ten members of the Team Champions at the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Eastern Conference Finals event will receive the coveted NHRA Wally trophy. Individual champions will each earn $1,500 along with a NHRA Wally trophy and champions jacket.

Gates at Thunder Valley Bristol Dragway open at 7:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m. on Saturday. Participants in each category will receive two time trial runs on Thursday starting at 8 a.m. On Friday, they will all get one time trial pass starting at 8 a.m. to be followed by the first round of eliminations in each class starting at 2 p.m. Eliminations in all age categories continue on Saturday at 9 a.m.

Thunder Valley Bristol Dragway is located in Bristol, Tenn., at exit 69 off Interstate 81. For more information call the track, (423) BRISTOL, or visit www.BristolDragway.com.

NHRA JR. DRAG RACING EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Eastern Conference Finals presented by Huddleston Performance, where teams of 10 drivers, age 6-17 years old, from tracks across the eastern United States and Canada, compete in eight age classes for individual and team honors. Kids drive half-scale dragsters powered by five-horsepower engines and may run the eighth-mile track as quick as 7.90 seconds. One of two conference finals events in the NHRA Summit Jr. Drag Racing League.

WHERE: Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn. Track is located in Bristol, Tenn., at exit 69 off Interstate 81.

WHEN: Thursday through Saturday, July 20-22, 2017.

SCHEDULE: THURSDAY, July 20 – Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Time trials begin at 8 a.m. Each age group will have two time trial runs.

FRIDAY, July 21 – Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Time trials start at 8 a.m. Each age group will get one time trial. First round of elimination at 2 p.m. Cookout 5 p.m. Ceremony 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, July 22 – Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations continue at 9 a.m.

PURSE: Individual winners for the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Eastern Conference Finals event will each earn $1,500 along with the champions NHRA Wally trophy and jacket; runners-up will each earn $500; round money starts with Round 2 winners. Each member of the Team Champions will receive the coveted NHRA Wally trophy.

2016 EVENT

WINNERS: Hope Capley, 6-9; Cody Hoberg, 10; Corey Kyle, 11; Callie Martel, 12; Wallace Wilson, 13; Jonathan Northrop, 14; Austin Alvey, 15; Rachael Weis, 16-17; Virginia Motorsports Park, Team Champion.

FEATURES: More than 500 drivers in eight age categories: 6-9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16-17. Drivers compete in half-scale dragsters powered by five-horsepower engines that may reach speeds up to 85 mph and run as quick as 7.90 seconds.

TICKETS: For more information please call Bristol Dragway, (423) BRISTOL or visit www.BristolDragway.com

CONTACT: NHRA Field representative Eric Lotz, elotz, (626) 250-2287, cell (626) 688-8646.

2017 CONFERENCE FINALS

AWARDS & PURSE

Championship Team

(Teams consist of up to 10 members)

NHRA Championship Wally trophy to each Team Member

& to the Host Track

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS

2nd Rd. Win 3rd Rd. Win 4th Rd. Win 5th Rd. Win 6th Rd. Win R/U Win
Age $ $ $ $ $ $ $
6-9 50 100 200 300 400 500 1,500
10 50 100 200 300 400 500 1,500
11 50 100 200 300 400 500 1,500
12 50 100 200 300 400 500 1,500
13 50 100 200 300 400 500 1,500
14 50 100 200 300 400 500 1,500
15 50 100 200 300 400 500 1,500
16-17 50 100 200 300 400 500 1,500

NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League History

2017 marks the 25th anniversary for the NHRA Summit Junior Drag Racing League. For 25 years now, NHRA’s Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League (JDRL) has given kids as young as five years old the opportunity to participate in the sport they love. And the sport of drag racing is better for it, as graduates of the league have proven themselves to be formidable competitors in NHRA’s other racing series. Top Fuel racers Shawn Langdon and Spencer Massey as well as 2014 Pro Stock National Champion driver Erica Enders are among the league’s graduates competing in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Langdon was a two-time Super Comp national champion in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series before making the jump to the Mello Yello Series where he won the 2013 Top Fuel championship. Numerous NHRA national and division champions have also come out of the JDRL ranks, including Super Stock National & Divisional Champion Ryan McClanahan and Top Dragster Divisional Champion Kara Stricker.

When Vince Napp, an NHRA member-track owner with a passion for drag racing, built a half-scale dragster for his son David in 1991, he never imagined what would follow. Early in 1992, Napp showed his invention to NHRA officials and the Jr. Dragsters were unveiled to the public July 9, 1992, during the 23rd annual Mopar Parts Nationals at Napp’s Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J. The capacity crowd witnessed the first Jr. Dragster exhibition race.

Two more dragsters were built, and the exhibition tour continued through the remaining national events of the 1992 season. At each site, an information tent was used to determine interest and solicit information sign-ups. The response was overwhelmingly positive. NHRA member tracks began adding JDRL programs, and builders began filling orders for Jr. Dragsters.

Racers began competing at local tracks in 1993 as the League grew at an astounding rate. Jr. DRAGSTER, the official magazine of the JDRL, debuted in September of that year.

In 1994, NHRA sponsored the first Jr. Drag Racing League National Championships at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. More than 500 young drivers qualified and participated.

Each season, the JDRL continues to achieve new levels of success. After 20+ years after the first exhibition run, the JDRL has approximately 3,000 participants, who compete at over 100 tracks across the country. The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Eastern and Western Conference Finals are the premier events of the JDRL season.

Eastern and Western Conference Finals Champions

2016 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
6-9 Hope Capley, Madison, Tenn. Caden Ball, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
10 Cody Hoberg, Newark, Ohio Riley Trumble, Pasadena, Texas
11 Corey Kyle, Gay, Ga. Madison Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif.
12 Callie Martel, Carleton, Mich. Kinley Wolfford, Orange, Calif.
13 Wallace Wilson, Taylors, S.C. Aaron Jordan, Fort Worth, Texas
14 Jonathan Northrop, Perkaskie, Pa. Cade Poe, Los Alamitos, Calif.
15 Austin Alvey, Mount Washington, Ky. Leslie Grissom, Odessa, Texas
16-17 Rachael Weis, Ashlan, Va. Vernon Harris, Springs, Okla.
Team

Virginia Motorsports Park

Richmond, Va.

Auto Club Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield, Calif.

Jr. Comp

(exhibition)

Not contested Justin Ball, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
2015 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
6-9 Carson Emmet, Cedar Bluff, Ala. Isabella Scofield, Winslow, Ariz.
10 Mallory Logan, North Chesterfield, Va. Lilian Cacioppo, Orangevale, Calif.
11 Macy Stewart, Fairmont, W.Va. Ryan Mason, San Clemente, Calif.
12 Brady Fomby, Cottondale, Ala.. Damon Bustamante, San Dimas, Calif.
13 Nicholas Ferraro, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Cade Poe, Los Alamitos, Calif.
14 Ethan Rudisell, Hamilton, Ohio Dylan Oliveira, Cypress, Calif.
15 Austin Carden, McDonough, Ga. Tristan Marti, Noble, Okla
16-17 Jason Messamore, Hansen, Ky. Jake Jones, West Jordan, Utah
Team National Trail Raceway, Colombus, Ohio Sacramento Raceway, Sacramento, Calif.

Jr. Comp

(exhibition)

Not contested AJ Thomas, Chowchilla, Calif.
2014 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Lizzie Martel, Carleton, Mich. Kaylee Haarbrink, South Jordan, Utah
10 Ozell Brown, Renich, W.Va. Braden Bettis, DeLeon, Texas
11 Arabella Maitland, Brenham, Texas Jason Horridge, Victorville, Calif.
12 Jarrod Kissinger, Sinking Spring, Pa. Cadie Del Toro, Las Vegas, Nev.
13 Devin Kiser, Corryton, Tenn. Jenna Michaud, Edmonton, Alta.
14 Derek Raymond, South Lyon, Mich. Seth Andersen, Kearns, Utah
15 Camryn Fredrickson, Palm Harbor, Fla. Shelby Rae Schoenfeld, Magna, Utah
16-17 Brooke Heckel, Baytown, Texas Travis Van Maarion, Medicine Hat, Alta.
Team Royal Purple Raceway, Houston, Texas Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, Phoenix, Ariz.

Jr. Comp

(exhibition)

Not contested Joe Harless, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2013 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Alex Kish, Kalamazoo, Mich. Tabitha Boardman, Las Vegas
10 Blain Marsh, Hayden, Ala. Michael Gidcumb, Riverside, Calif.
11 Alec Harper, Meansville, Ga. Cade Poe, Los Alamitos, Calif.
12 Autumn Green, Bradenton, Fla. Logan Shannon, Parker, Colo.
13 John Croce, East Rockaway, N.Y. Jarrett Crezee, Littleton, Colo.
14 Shelby Nelson, Fort Payne, Ala. Ruby DeGood, Kansas City, Mo.
15 Owen Hoover, Norwalk, Ohio Courtney Langley, Sand Springs, Okla.
16-17 Shelby Diiorio; Burlington, N.J. Victoria Fores, Lakewood, Colo.
Team

Huntsville Dragway

Huntsville, Ala.

Bandimere Speedway, Morrison, Colo.

Jr. Comp

(exhibition)

Not contested Chandler Meziere; Escondido, Calif.
2012 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Thomas Oates, Clearbrook, Va. Hayley Cline, Seminole, Okla.
10 Alec Harper, Meansville, Ga. Cade Poe, Los Alamitos, Calif.
11 Carson Brown, Blountville, Tenn. Ashleigh Joy, Norman Okla.
12 Nicholas Altenbach, Westerville, Ohio Tristan Marti, Noble, Okla.
13 Jackson Core, Crowley, La. Boyd Eickmann, Turner Ore.
14 Schuyler Turner, Fostoria, Ohio Cody Webber, Kingman, Ariz.
15 Morgen Wood, Wabash, Ind. Nash Keen, Shawnee, Okla.
16-17 Cody Barnhart, Cullman, Ala. Zac Bogner, Norco, Calif.
Team

Huntsville Dragway

Huntsville, Ala.

Thunder Valley Raceway Park, Noble, Okla.

Jr. Comp

(exhibition)

Not contested Lerae Jacobs, Peyton, Colo.
2011 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Michael Hankinson, Severn Md. Aaron Jordan, Fort Worth, Texas
10 Kammon Simpson, Seymour, Ind. Tori Greene, Burleson, Texas
11 Meredith Miller, Streator, Ill. Savana Bennett, Shawnee, Kan.
12 Brandon Gowan, Louisville, Ky. Jordan Dyer, Denver, Colo.
13 Ashley Cole, Avon, Ind. Chandler Meziere, Escondido, Calif.
14 Megan Culbert, Hanover, Pa. Shelby Eberwein, Waddell, Ariz.
15 Rylee Stufflebeam, Peoria, Ill. Joe Harless, Colorado Springs, Colo.
16-17 Jimmy Fizz, Pottstown, Pa. Paiton McWilliams, Owasso, Okla.
Team

Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis

Indianapolis, Ind.

North Star Dragway

Denton, Texas

Jr. Comp

(exhibition)

Curtis Moffett

Modesto, Calif.

Jalen Dyer

Denver, Colo.

2010 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Gage Esnealult, Belle Rose, La. Keoki Desa, North Las Vegas, Nev.
10 Dillan Kyle, Gay, Ga. Bailey Jones, Wichita, Kan.
11 Daniel Young, Palm Harbor, Fla. Sebastian Vennard, Castle Rock, Colo.
12 Sydney Coleman, Elkton, Md. Travis Steffens, Dubuque, Iowa
13 Heather Boyko, North Hampton, Pa. Connor Anderson, Spanish Fork, Utah
14 Morgan Nappier, Hendersonville, Tenn. Victoria Flores, Littleton, Colo.
15 Dillon Richards, Lake Charles, La. Carly Jo Ellingson, Rapid City, S.D.
16-17 Erin Warner, York Springs, Pa. Emily Herod, Jacksboro, Texas
Team

Maple Grove Raceway

Reading, Pa.

Wichita Raceway Park

Iowa Park, Texas

Jr. Comp

(exhibition)

Not contested

Kaitlyn Tripp

Golden, Colo.

2009 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Darian Boesch, Kenner, La. Bailey Jones, Wichita, Kan.
10 Cardino Fornataro, Newark, Ohio Mikayla Greene, Lawson, Mo.
11 Morgan Keyser, Marion, Ill. Jeremy Romero, Littleton, Colo.
12 Jennifer Rice, Springfield, Tenn. Travis Thorsten, Arvada, Colo.
13 Brian D. Miller, Winter Haven, Fla. Taryn Greene, Burleson, Texas
14 Alexandra Guido, Lake Hopatcong, NJ Brandon Seraphine, Fullerton, Calif.
15 Cody Nott, Indianapolis, Ind. Dalton Dorsett, Panora, Iowa
16-17 Lauren Dadas, Vermilion, Ohio ChaysseTrimp, Ione, Calif.
Team

National Trail Raceway

Hebron, Ohio

SRCA Dragstrip

Great Bend, Kan.

2008 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Robert Estevez, Waldorf, Md. Rocky McLain, Saginaw, Texas
10 Alyssa Hickey, Ponchatoula, La. Carina Wilkerson, Lakewood, Colo.
11 A.J. Williams, Thomasville, Ga. Jake Jones, West Jordan, Utah
12 Nick Isenhower, Lebanon, Ind. Kyle Mitchell, Wichita, Kan.
13 Sean Serra, Reinholds, Pa. Kyle Cramsey, Morrison, Colo.
14 Benjamin Brouder, Fairborn, Ohio Kevin Dockins, Tucson, Ariz.
15 Colton Kirchner, Seven Valley, Pa. Chance Parker, Roy Utah
16-17 Timothy Holtzapple, York, Pa. David Thompson, La Mirada, Calif.
Team

Maple Grove Raceway,

Reading, Pa.

Rocky Mountain Raceway,

West Valley City, Utah

2007 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Morgan Keyser, Marion, Ill. Bryson Parks, Venus, Texas
10 Andrew Grant, Mechanicsville, Md. Justin Wells, Mather, Calif.
11 Austin Argoe, Middletown, Del. Kyle Mitchell, Wichita, Kan.
12 Rachel Miller, Stufford, Va. Rochelle Pappel, Eugene, Ore.
13 Mike Morris, Dayton, Ohio Robby Massey, Des Moines, Iowa
14 Erin Warner, York Spring, Pa. Laura Higgins, El Cajon, Calif.
15 Nick Chiles, Reedville, Va. Ryan Perry, North Richland Hills, Texas
16-17 Tim Kloek, New City, N.Y. Kristie Thompson, Wildomar, Calif.
Team

Virginia Motorsports Park,

Petersburg, Va.

Auto Club Dragway,

Fontana, Calif.

2006 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Nikolette Schroeder, Avon Lake, Ohio Josh Burrow, Forney, Texas
10 Courtney Wright, Fairview, Tenn. Tristen Johnson, Jordan, Texas
11 Jacob Morris, Wallingford, Pa. Rodney McClendon, Mustang, Okla.
12 Parker Suggs, Warner Bros., Ga. Kristen Matusek. Olathe, Kan.
13 Schafer Suggs, Warner Bros., Ga. Joey Hughes, Phoenix, Ariz.
14 Tyler Nay, Newcomerstown, Ohio John Calvert, Lancaster, Calif.
15 Kara Stricker, Mohnton, Pa. Chad Axford, Carmichael, Calif.
16-17 Stephanie Fordyce, Williamstown, N.J. Sheilah Winter, Littleton, Colo.
Team Pacemakers Dragway Park, Mount Vernon, Ohio

Bandimere Speedway Team II

Morrison, Colo.

2005 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Zachary Eyring, Glen Burnie, Md. Casey Tehle, Billings, Mont.
10 Jamison Lopochonsky, Greenville, Pa. Jesse Cantrell, Grapevine, Texas
11 Kelsey Lynn, Marietta, Ga. Taylor Strange, Colorado Springs, Colo.
12 William Butterworth, Goodlettsville, Tenn. Jimmy Morosan, Baldwin, Calif.
13 George Farkouh, Brooklyn, N.Y. Zach Hord, Kansas City, Mo.
14 Michael Bloomfield, Fairfield, Ohio Matt Cooper, Owasso, Okla.
15 Eric Peterka, Gilbertsville, Pa. Kristie Thompson, Wildomar, Calif.
16-17 Jake Sealey, Aiken, S.C. Cori Lyn Wojdak, Chatsworth, Calif.
Team Silver Dollar Raceway
Reynolds, Ga.
Inyokern Dragstrip
Inyokern, Calif.
2004 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Madison DeFoor, Warner Robins, Ga. A.J. Fernandez, Harbor City, Calif.
10 Tyler Smith, Springfield, Tenn. Katelyn Whynaught, Oceanside, Calif.
11 Payton Filson, Fairborn, Ohio Cameron Fulfer, Weatherford, Texas
12 Lewis Shuman, Washington, Pa. Garrett Speck, Fort Worth, Texas
13 Brandon Lee Ennis, Pocomoke, Md. Brittny Blakely, Anthony, N.M.
14 David Dean, Waxhaw, N.C. David Myhre, Sheridan, Calif.
15 Ryan Haag, Memphis, Ind. Katrina Billings, Kansas City, Mo.
16-17 Justin Belmonte, Glenmoore, Pa. Todd Cooper, Yuba City, Calif.
Team Maple Grove Raceway
Reading, Pa.
California Dragway
Fontana, Calif.
2003 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Kyle Fredricks, Nashua, N.H. Jacob Burrow, Garland, Texas
10 Jarrod Downs, Mansfield, Ohio Grant Snedeker, Chickasha, Okla.
11 Nick Chiles, Reedville, Va. Ricky Menditto, Lakeland, Fla.
12 Dylan Myers, Mechanicsburg, Pa. Amber Cherry, Bakersfield, Calif.
13 Marshall Fowler, Ocean City, Md. Brittany Johnson, Palm Desert, Calif.
14 Nicole Belmonte, Glenmoore, Pa. Casey DePeel, Gladstone, Ore.
15 Josh Bryson, Hebron, Ky. Amber Lockman, Wellington, Colo.
16-17 Dave Nahill, Maple Shade, N.J. Mark Billings, Kansas City, Mo.
Team Gainesville Raceway
Gainesville, Fla.
Sacramento Raceway Park
Sacramento, Calif.
2002 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Alexa Rick, Elyria, Ohio Jacy Rae Glover, Norman, Okla.
10 Allen Rouse Jr., Jacksonville, Fla. Benjamin Hilton, Vancouver, Wash.
11 Dylan Myers, Mechanicsburg, Pa. David Thompson, La Mirada, Calif.
12 Andrew Head, Streetsboro, Ohio Kris Whitfield, Littleton, Colo.
13 Joey Shipp, Whiteland, Ind. Taylor McMillen, Mesquite, Texas
14 Nick Hastings, Shelby, Ohio Bobby Polson, Derby, Kan.
15 Mark Roe, Clarksville, Ohio Jordan Fojt, Baytown, Texas
16-17 Martin Flegal, Lititz, Pa. Cameron Ferre, Huntington Beach, Calif.
Team Indianapolis Raceway Park
Clermont, Ind.
Wichita Int’l Raceway
Wichita, Kan.
2001 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Timmy DiIorio, Burlington, N.J. Darrell Williams, Dallas, Texas
10 Derek Stalhut, Port St. Lucie, Fla. Lauren Thomas, Marshall, Mo.
11 Jerry Marcum, Crittenden, Ky. Austin Helmut, Lakewood, Colo.
12 John Ciccarone, West Chester, Pa. Eric Combs, League City, Texas
13 Bobby Spence, Ellicott City, Md. Mallori McCullar, McAlester, Okla.
14 Tracy Sycks, Sunbury, Ohio Daryl Hamlin Jr., Irving, Texas
15 Justin Hardy, Monroe, Mich. Josh Allen, Riverside, Calif.
16-17 Ashley Parker, Oregon, Ohio Patrick Welch, Long Beach, Calif.
Team Old Bridge Township Raceway Park
Englishtown, N.J.
Famoso Raceway
Bakersfield, Calif.
2000 Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
8-9 Timmy DiIorio, Burlington, N.J. Chris Talkington, Fort Collins, Colo.
10 Cameron Dickerson, Jacksonville, Fla. Justin Endicott, Burleson, Texas
11 Joshua Gamber, Finksburg, Md. Ryan McClanahan, Alta Loma, Calif.
12 Garrett Struck, Webster, Fla. Mallori McCullar, McAlester, Okla.
13 Mary Jo West, Shreve, Ohio J.D. Carabajal, Baldwin Park, Calif.
14 Vinny Giaccio, Toms River, N.J. John Pelfrey, Rossville, Kan.
15 Heather Kubicke, Yardville, N.J. Melissa Hunter, Platteville, Colo.
16-17 Joe Santangelo, Marlborough, Conn. Sara Mustard, Arvada, Colo.
Team Old Bridge Township Raceway Park
Englishtown, N.J.
Pomona Raceway
Pomona, Calif.




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