BRISTOL, Tenn. -- More than 600 kids took to the track today at Bristol Dragway for the 2012 NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals presented by ViperizerRacing.com.

The annual event plays hosts to kids ages 8 to 17 years old and their families with competitors in nine categories racing in half-scale dragsters at speeds up to 85 mph on the eighth-mile track in search of both team and individual honors and a share of nearly $50,000 in awards.

Opening day consisted of a pair of time trial runs for all competitors. Bristol Dragway also hosts a number of events leading up to the Eastern Conference Finals extending the event to more than a week of fun activities for all.

Friday’s action will include an additional time trial for all racers scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. followed by round 1 of eliminations for all categories and a cookout and Special Awards ceremony that will finish off the day’s activities. Saturday will consist of eliminations and the crowning of champions in the 8 to 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 to 17 year-old age groups as well as the Jr. Comp class and the Team Champions from tracks throughout the eastern United States. Each team is made up of 10 racers with each NHRA Member Track able to send up to three teams.

Six of the champions from last year’s event are on the entry list and are looking for the repeat including Michael Hankinson, Kammon Simpson, Meredith Miller, Brandon Gowan, Ashley Cole and Megan Colbert. The defending Team Champions are from Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

Gates at Bristol Dragway open at 7:30 a.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. on Saturday. For additional information call Bristol Dragway (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.BristolDragway.com. Additional event coverage can be found at http://jrdragster.nhra.com/