MORRISON, Colo. -- Teenagers put the "pedal to the metal" on Memorial Day without getting punished by parents or ticketed by police.

They're lining up everything from beaters to tricked out street-racing cars at Bandimere Speedway to competed in the Pepsi All-American High School Drags.

The "School's Out For Summer" event features drag racing for about 500 high school students, ages 16 to 19, who have yet to graduate or who graduated in 2010.

Luis Santiago said he has prepared all year to race his 1995 Mustang.

"I went to the track when both my brothers raced and hated the fact I couldn’t get behind the wheel and race, too,” the Sheridan teen resident told the Englewood Herald

“But this is my year and my Mustang rocks. I’ve been working hard to get the best possible performance out of my engine because I want to win this thing," Santiago said.

There are two racing classes: Street cars with street-legal tires, and cars using drag slicks.

Several police agencies are on hand to congratulate young people for choosing to "Take it to the track" -- instead of illegally racing on public streets.

Gates opened at 8 am. Participants paid a $30 fee. Spectators tickets are $14. Racing was scheduled until 5 p.m.