I copied this from Houston Area Racing.

IHRA has announced an innovative new approach to the 2009 Junior National event schedule. Now known as the IHRA Junior Nationals Team Finals, all competitors must be on a tracks points team to compete at these events.

Each participating 2009 track may send up to three teams of 10 junior racers to represent their facility, based on the track’s participation level and ability to fill the team. During Sunday’s featured event teams will earn points to determine the track championship, the same format used at the team finals. Racers will also compete for individual championships

“We are convinced the improved format will create new excitement in our junior program,” IHRA Special Programs Director Sherrie Barbour said. “More juniors will sign up for track points, knowing they will be able to qualify for a custom designed junior team finals “”

This new format will not affect the Summit Team Finals junior format. The same number of juniors will still participate with the big cars at Summit Team Finals events.

“One our goals at IHRA is to promote the future of drag racing; we know we have to start by growing junior programs at our local tracks,” Barbour said. “This is a great platform for track operators to get the kids involved.”

One unique All-Junior Nationals feature invites and encourages NHRA tracks and junior racers to join the fun.

“The concept of IHRA and NHRA tracks and junior racers at the same event is a great way to teach the junior competitors about sportsmanship,” states Senior Director of Competition and Racing Operations Mike Baker.


Other highlights of the program:
• There will not be a team entry charge to the tracks to participate in this program. Each racer will be responsible for their car & driver entry as well as their crew member’s entries.
• There will be bonus events Saturday and the main team competition will be contested on Sunday.
• Awards will be issued for Best Appearing Team, Best Team Spirit, Best Engineered and Best Appearing. The winning track will also receive an Ironman and Team Champion bragging rights.
• Tracks will submit rosters prior to the event just like the Summit Team Finals.
Any NHRA-sanctioned track can participate in the Junior Dragster Team Finals by contacting Sherrie Barbour at (419) 660-4209


“Last year we changed the format from the Junior Nationals to the Team Finals format and everyone had a blast,” added Barbour. “This year we are going to double the fun by having 4 Four All-Junior Dragster Team Finals. With the addition of Osceola Dragway in Division 5 and Dallas Raceway in Division 4, we have the opportunity to offer the junior competitors more events for family fun. Pittsburgh Raceway Park returns to the schedule July 18-19 with Maryland International presenting a three day event on August 31-September 2.”

Royce Miller, owner/operator of Maryland International Raceway, looks forward to a huge weekend.

“Last year’s Jr. Dragster Team Final event was the most fun and exciting Junior race ever at MIR. The new team concept brought out track banners, mascots, teams cheering in the stands, it was just like an all Jr. Dragster bracket finals,” said Miller. “The Team Final idea was from IHRA’s Sherrie Barbour and she hit a home run. Since we had such a great time we have expanded the race to a 3-day event for 2009 (July 31-Aug 2). So get with your track operator and start putting your teams together. We look forward to seeing everyone again and some new folks as well and don’t forget the water guns!!!”

Frank Tedesco, the track operator at Pittsburgh Raceway Park, can’t wait to get the party started.

“We're looking forward to getting some payback to the very talented and classy MIR Team,” Tedesco said. “They came in last year and had to wait for us to fight some demons related to weather, then proceeded to kick butt. Being the Official 4th, Black and Gold team in Pittsburgh we will be looking to keep pace with our other Black and Gold Teams and bring the Championship to the city of champions, PITTSBURGH.”

Event schedules will soon be made available as soon as details are completed.