TOPEKA, Kan. - Over 600 of the NHRA West Central Division's top racers took to the track today for the first day of time trials at the NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals being held this weekend at Heartland Park Topeka.

A total of 20 member tracks are expected to complete for team honors this weekend with defending team champions, Denver's Bandimere Speedway, looking to repeat.

Saturday morning, racers will once again suit up for a round of time trials. Saturday afternoon, the top racers from each track in the division will compete in the annual Race of Champions. That evening, each team is invited to the West Central Division cookout for some food and fun.

On Sunday, individual championships in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle/Snowmobile will be crowned. These four winners will qualify for the NHRA Summit Racing Series National Finals, to be held during the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, in November at Pomona Raceway in Pomona, Calif. In Pomona, the West Central Division champs will join champions from NHRA's six other geographic regions to compete for the national championship. The winners of the Pomona event will also receive a $5,000 bonus.

Gates at Heartland Park Topeka will open Saturday at 7 a.m. Time trials begin at 9 a.m., with eliminations for the Race of Champions set to begin in the afternoon.

The following is the list of NHRA member tracks expected to compete this weekend at the NHRA West Central Division Summit Racing Series Finals:
Bandimere Speedway - Denver
Brainerd International Raceway - Brainerd, Minn.
Douglas Motorsports Park - Douglas, Wyo.
Grove Creek Raceway - Grove City, Minn.
Heartland Park Topeka - Topeka, Kan.
Interstate Dragways - Morehead, Minn.
Julesburg Dragstrip - Julesburg, Colo.
Kansas City International Raceway - Kansas City, Mo.
Kearney Raceway Park - Kearney, Neb.
Mid-America Raceways - Wentzville, Mo.
Nebraska Motorplex - Scribner, Neb.
Pueblo Motorsports Park - Pueblo, Colo.
Rock Falls Raceway - Eau Claire, Wis.
Rolling Thunder Dragstrip at Mid-America Motorplex - Pacific Junction, Iowa
S.R.C.A. Dragstrip - Great Bend, Kan.
Sturgis Dragway - Sturgis, S.D.
Tri-State Raceway - Earlville, Iowa
Viking International Raceway - St. Andrews, Man.
Western Colorado Dragway - Grand Junction, Colo.
Wichita International Raceway - Wichita, Kan.