The Mopar 2007 HEMI Challenge Race Series Expands

May 16, 2007 Motor Age

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Mopar 2007 HEMI Challenge Race Series Expands

CENTER LINE, MI (May 9, 2007) - With an increasing number of events and competitors, organizers say the HEMI Challenge continues to grow from its beginnings as a one-race event. The HEMI Challenge race series spotlights 1968 Plymouth Barracudas and 1968 Dodge Darts from the NHRA Super Stock/A-HEMI (SS/AH) division.

Photo: Moparspeed.com

The 2007 race series champion will be crowned following the Jeg's NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals event on Aug. 29 through Sept. 3 at the U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis,. This year, the event lineup will feature six races of SS/AH drivers. Last year's champion, Charlie Westcott Jr., pocketed the $10,000 bonus from Mopar for taking home the HEMI Challenge U.S. Nationals win after he piloted his 1968 Plymouth Barracuda through a tough field of 25 SS/AH drivers.

"The HEMI Challenge at the Mopars at The Strip event was an overwhelming success," says Jon Clark, Mopar Performance's department manager. "It was a great kickoff for the season, and the Jeg's Cajun SPORTSnationals will be another great leg for the HEMI Challenge. The enthusiasts who compete in the HEMI Challenge and who have put their time and money into these legendary HEMI-powered machines are the integral component to the popularity and expansion of this authentic event. As we draw closer to the 2007 championship at the U.S. Nationals, fans will not want to miss the competition between these grassroots racers in their SS/AH HEMI-powered Mopars."

For event coverage of the HEMI Challenge, visit www.moparspeed.com.

The first 2007 HEMI Challenge race saw Rick Houser drive his Jim DeFrank & Sons 1968 Barracuda Fastback to a win over Jerry Jenkins at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, at the Fifth Annual Mopars at the Strip. Another large contingent of HEMI-powered cars mixed it up last week at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, La.

The 2008 HEMI Challenge points season will begin at the Jeg's NHRA Northern SPORTSnationals in Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 28-30, 2007. Two additional 2008 HEMI Challenge points events will take place in 2007: at the NHRA Pacific SPORTSnationals in Fontana, Calif., Oct. 5-7; and the Northeastern Division Dutch Classic at Mohnton, Pa., Oct. 18-21.