INDIANAPOLIS - Racing continued today at Indianapolis Raceway Park at the NHRA North Central Division Summit Racing Series Finals. More than 700 racers representing tracks from across the division are vying for individual and team championships.

Track teams are comprised of the best racers from each facility competing in six classes including Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Super Pro Bike. Each team may also include a Youth Team of up to six Jr. Dragster competitors (divided into three age groups) and two High School class racers.

It was an emotional winner's circle after the completion of the High School category as Kil-Kare Dragway's Christina Parriman celebrated her win over Branden Elam who represented Pacemakers Dragway Park. Parriman's father is in the military serving in Iraq and the back window of her 1970 Nova sported pink shoe polish that read, "I love you dad! Come home soon." Parriman's 15.207-second, 87.38-mph pass was just enough to best Elam's 15.645-second, 84.99-mph effort in his 1989 Firebird. For her win, Parriman was awarded a coveted NHRA "Wally" trophy.

Tomorrow's individual winners in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Super Pro Bike will advance to compete for a national championship against winners from NHRA's other six divisions at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November. They will each receive $3,500 for participating in the Finals and the national champion in each class will earn an additional $5,000.

Earlier today, North Central division officials selected a Best Appearing Vehicle in each category. Best Appearing winners also each received an NHRA "Wally" trophy. The favorite in the Super Pro Class was Adam Cline's 1978 Malibu. Cline is running for Beech Bend Raceway. In Pro, the winner was the 1967 Camaro of Tom Blincoe who is racing for Ohio Valley Dragway. Gateway Int'l Raceway Sportsman racer Paul Hagen had his 1972 Nova selected as best appearing and in Super Pro Bike, the honors went to National Trail Raceway's Bruce Sarver who rides a 2000 Kawasaki.

Eliminations in the North Central Division Summit Racing Series Finals will continue Sunday at IRP. Gates open at 7 a.m. and racing begins at 9 a.m. Jr. Dragsters will have two time trails starting at 8 a.m. and will run eliminations with all other categories throughout the day.