Challenge
GLENDORA, Calif. (July 22, 2003)- Mopar Performance Parts has renewed its
sponsorship with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to sponsor the Hemi
Challenge for the second consecutive year, NHRA officials announced.
The Mopar Performance Parts Super Stock Hemi Challenge will take place on
Friday, Aug. 29, during the 49th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis
Raceway Park. More than 25 1968 SS/AA Plymouth Barracudas and Dodge Darts will
compete for the coveted $10,000 bonus awarded to the winner of the Hemi
Challenge.
"For three straight years Mopar Performance Parts has supported the popular
Super Stock Hemi Challenge," said Len Imbrogno, NHRA director of sportsman
racing and member tracks. "The Hemi Challenge program 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. The Darts and Barracudas we see
entered in the Hemi Challenge at Indianapolis has quickly become a favorite for
sportsman fans everywhere."
NHRA competitors who are eligible for the competition in the Hemi Challenge are
those who compete in the Super Stock/A-Automatic (SS/AA) category. Limited
production Hemi-powered Barracudas and Darts made famous by legendary NHRA
pioneers Ronnie Sox and Dick Landy in the 1960s won numerous national events and
national championships in the lightweight, high-horsepower Super Stock entries.
"We're expecting a huge turnout this year," said David Hakim, Mopar Performance
Parts product line manager. "Many new cars are being built just for this race.
It's quickly becoming one of the crown jewel events for NHRA's Sportsman
category. These cars were, and still are, technological marvels due to the
passion and dedication these racers put into them. Not to mention that Mopar
Performance Parts is committed to keeping the Hemi heritage alive both on the
track and on the street for years to come."
Richard Beshore, a heart surgeon from Mason, Mich., drove his '68 Barracuda to
the Hemi Challenge victory last season.
Mopar Performance Parts offers a wide variety of factory engineered
high-performance parts for Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. Mopar
Performance Parts are manufactured to the highest standards and designed to give
enthusiasts and professional racers the competitive edge they demand.
