NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Junior Western Conference Finals, Thursday from Bandimere -National

NHRA O'REILLY AUTO PARTS JR. DRAG RACING LEAGUE WESTERN CONFERENCE
FINALS
BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2006
 
                DENVER, Colo. - Over 500 kids from tracks spanning the
Western United States have converged on Bandimere Speedway to compete in
the NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League Western Conference
Finals.  Jr. Racers, ranging in age from 8 - 17 years-old, are racing
for team and individual honors as well as their share of the $98,000
event purse that is given to winners as savings bonds. 
                Last year's team champion, Inyokern Dragstrip from
Inyokern, Calif., will look to repeat in the team category while, 2005
11 year-old winner and hometown favorite, Taylor Strange of Colorado
Springs, Colo., looks to win back to back titles.   Other 2005 winners
that look to repeat are, Casey Tehle of Billings Mont., 8-9, Jesse
Cantrell, Grapevine, Texas, 10, Jimmy Morosan, Baldwin, Calif., 12, Zach
Hord, Kansas City, Mo, 13, Matt Cooper, Owasso, Okla., 14, Kristie
Thompson, Wildomar, Calif., 15,  and Cori Lyn Wojdak, Chatsworth,
Calif., 16-17.
The racers are enjoying a week long full of fun activities.  Thursday's
event included Movie Night, where all competitors and their families
were invited to watch a screening of "Pirates of the Caribbean"
projected on a 45 x 40 foot screen. 
                Racing on Friday will begin at 8:30 a.m. with one round
of time trials followed by the first round of eliminations in each
category.  Gates open at 7:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.  
Bandimere Speedway is located west of Denver off Hwy C-470 in Morrison.
For more information call the track (303) 697-6001 or visit
BandimereSpeedway.com <http://www.bristoldragway.com/> .