2009 Mopar HEMI(R) Challenge Race Series Kicks Off at U.S. Nationals
The ninth edition of the Mopar HEMI(R) Challenge at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals pits nearly two dozen of the famous SS/AH 1968 HEMI Darts and Barracudas against each other to see if Charlie Westcott, Jr. will win his fourth HEMI Challenge in the last five years and collect the $10,000 payout.
Westcott, Jr., the usual favorite in these events, has a brand-new '68 HEMI Barracuda named War Fish running for the first time, so all eyes will be on him to see whether he will again be a threat.
"The new car is ready and it's running well," said Westcott Jr. The Parma, Mich., native discussed the HEMI Challenge season opener with SpeedFreaks radio host Kenny Sargent on Sunday, Aug. 30. To listen to Westcott's SpeedFreaks radio interview, visit the SpeedFreaks' Web site, http://www.speedfreaks.tv.
Charlie's father, Charlie Westcott, Sr., is also a fast runner. He holds the top speed record in the SS/AH class at just a tick below 160 mph. The field also includes Melvin Daniels, a Yardley, Pa., dentist who won the most recent Mopar HEMI Challenge. Ohio Chrysler dealer and recent winner Jim Pancake will compete in his '68 HEMI Dart, as will Dodge dealer Darrell Marvel of Big Rapids, Mich. Randy Warford, of Nashville, Ind., will compete in his '68 HEMI Barracuda and he's also bringing a new Dodge Challenger Drag Pak to run in A/Stock Automatic during the weekend.
The Mopar HEMI Challenge Series will visit the Jegs Northern SPORTSnationals, Sept. 25–27, at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio, and the Dutch Classic, Oct. 22–25, at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. Each event offers $5,000 prize money to the winner.