DELMAR, Del. - More than 700 racers representing NHRA's Northeast division took to the track for the first day of time trials at the NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals. A total of 16 member tracks are expected to complete for team honors, at U.S. 13 Dragway, with defending track champion, Atco Raceway, hoping to defend their title.

Friday morning, racers will once again suit up for a round of time trials. Friday afternoon, the top racers from each track in Super ET, Heavy ET, Bike/Sled and Street will compete in the Race of Champions. With over $4,500 total up for grabs, the competition for the cash prize will no doubt, be fierce.

Saturday's action will feature the highly regarded individual championships in Super ET, Heavy ET, Bike/Sled and Street, which will qualify four drivers for the Summit Racing NHRA National E.T Finals, to be held at the Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, November 8-11 in Pomona, Calif. There they will complete for a "winner-takes-all" $5000 purse.

Saturday will also feature the High School Eliminator Challenge presented by Luzerne County Community College. Open to competitors currently enrolled in High School, or 2001 graduates, the High School Eliminator Challenge is a no-electronics eliminator. The winner of the eliminator will receive a $1000 U.S Savings Bond, NHRA/Summit Racing Series ET Gold Card, Champions Jacket and trophy, all to be presented at the NHRA Northeast Division Championship Banquet being held January, 12, 2002. His or her school will also receive $1000, donated by the Northeast Division track operators to be used in the promotion of motorsports education.

Gates will open tomorrow at 7 a.m. Time trials begin at 8:30 a.m., with eliminations for the Race of Champions set to begin at 4 p.m.

The following is the list of racers who will be competing in the NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals Race of Champions: