Wed, 16 Dec 2015, 08:15 AM Osage Tulsa Raceway Park and Bristol Dragway to Host

Courtesy of NHRA Communications NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Western and Eastern Conference Finals In 2016

GLENDORA, Calif. -- NHRA announced today that the 2016 NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals will be held at Osage Tulsa Raceway Park in Tulsa, Okla., and Bristol Dragway in Tennessee, respectively.

The NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Western Conference Finals will visit Oklahoma's Osage Tulsa Raceway Park for the first time, June 23-25, while the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Eastern Conference Finals will return to Eastern Tennessee's famed Thunder Valley, July 21-23.

"The future stars of NHRA Drag Racing are showcased at these two events and we are pleased to have these two exceptional facilities as host tracks," said Eric Lotz, director of field marketing, NHRA. "Both are rich in drag racing history and are excited to be a part of the NHRA Summit Jr. Drag Racing League."

In 2016, both tracks will also be hosting activities and events throughout each of their respective events earlier in the week leading up to the Conference Finals.

"We are proud that the Jr. Drag Racing Eastern Conference Finals once again will take place in Thunder Valley," said Julie Bennett, vice president of Bristol Dragway. "Imagine the excitement of these kids knowing their first national event win could take place at a track with the history and tradition of Bristol Dragway. These drivers are our future, and we can't wait to show them a good time here in Bristol."

Bristol Dragway has played host to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2004 and Osage Tulsa Raceway Park acquired the Western Conference Finals from Utah's Rocky Mountain Raceways, which hosted the event the last two seasons.

Osage Tulsa Raceway Park owners Todd Martin and Keith Haney are highly optimistic about growing this event and have already reached out to the City of Tulsa and the surrounding communities. "To have the opportunity to host such an event is an honor and we are looking forward showing the fans in the Tulsa area what the future of Drag Racing looks like," said Martin.

Nearly 1,000 kids compete for individual and team honors at the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Eastern and Western Conference Finals. Each winner will take home the NHRA Wally champion's trophy as well as a share of the event purse. Tracks in NHRA's divisions 1, 2 and 3 will send teams to the Eastern Conference Finals while tracks in divisions 4, 5, 6 and 7 will compete at the Western Conference Finals.

Created in 1992, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League allows kids between the ages of 5 and 17 to experience the thrill of motorsports competition in a controlled environment at tracks in each of NHRA's seven geographic divisions. The NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League creates family involvement in drag racing at an affordable level. Many of the league's former participants have gone on to compete in other NHRA classes. Top Fuel racer Shawn Langdon (the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Series Top Fuel world champion and a two-time Super Comp national champion in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series) and two-time and defending NHRA Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders, are among the league's most accomplished graduates.