NHRA (BRANDIMERE) - JR WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS KICK OFF

The NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League Western Conference Finals kicked off today at Bandimere Speedway. Close to 550 Junior 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. Junior racers drive half-scale dragsters powered by five-horsepower engines that may reach speeds up to 85 mph and cover the eighth-mile in as quick as 7.90 seconds. Hometown track, Bandimere Speedway, will look to repeat as Team Champion while Littleton, Colo., resident Sheilah Winter will look to win back to back titles in the 16-17 year-old division. Other 2006 champions include Josh Burrow of Forney, Texas, Tristen Johnson of Jordan, Texas, Rodney McClendon of Mustang, Okla., Kristen Matusek of Olathe, Kan., Joey Hughes of Phoenix, Ariz., John Calvert of Lancaster, Calif., and Chad Axford of Carmichael, Calif. The racers are enjoying a week long full of fun activities. Thursday's event included ½ Scale Dragster 1/8 Mile Jam Dance, where the racers will have fun socializing about the week's events. Racing on Friday will begin at 8:30 a.m. starting 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/">http://www.bristoldragway.com/> .