GLENDORA, Calif. (May 12, 2010) – Mopar has renewed its agreement with NHRA to support the Mopar HEMI Challenge Race Series, an extremely popular three-event schedule of races that will showcase the world’s fastest Super Stock race cars.
The Mopar HEMI Challenge Race Series will open at the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky., June 18-20, before heading to the marquee 56th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, Sept. 1-6. The Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas that are most associated with the series will compete for the lucrative $10,000 winner’s purse at the tradition-rich Labor Day weekend classic, the world’s most prestigious drag race.
The Mopar HEMI Challenge Series will conclude at the JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals, Sept. 24-26, at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio. The winner at the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion and JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals will earn $5,000 apiece.
“The Mopar HEMI Challenge Race Series brings together the best SS/AA Hemi cars from all over the country to compete against each other in a program that continues to grow in popularity,” said Eric Lotz, director of field marketing, NHRA. “The $10,000 HEMI Challenge race at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals has grown into an annual must-see event for all sportsman enthusiasts.”
Drivers expected to compete in the Mopar HEMI Challenge Series this season include past winners Bucky Hess and Charlie Westcott Jr., along with Jim Daniels, Joe Teuton Jr., David Barton, Darrell Marvel and Fred Henson.
“The Mopar HEMI Challenge is for the weekend drag racers who are the core of the series,” said Pietro Gorlier, President & CEO, Mopar Service, Parts & Customer Care, Chrysler Group LLC. “These dedicated racers who compete in the Mopar HEMI Challenge buy Mopar parts from Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge or Ram dealerships and pour money, time and sweat into their Mopar HEMI-powered race cars. They are great examples of the passion for the Mopar brand that exists in the drag-racing community.”
