Drag Racing Action  Images: Phil Hutchison

Defending 2022Hemi Challenge winner Steve Comella from Webster NY took his ’68 Hemi Barracuda to the top spot in the Challenge with a 8.313 at a booming 161.07 MPH to take the top spot going into Friday’s first round. Comella’s Mopar, powered by a Westcott Hemi, had the quickest times throughout qualifying and looks good going into Fridays’ action.

“I’m always uncomfortable, no matter how well I qualify. It’s never enough,” Comella said.  “It’s great getting the #1 spot but it’s not a lock. We run our program and, even though I know what everyone else ran, we always try to make it better.”

Comella,far lane, has his Cuda in the #1 spot. 

In what  seems like a light year away, Jimmy Daniels in the far lane, a former Challenge winner, took his Ray Barton powered ’68 Dart to the second spot with a 8.398.

Ohio racer Jim Pancake has his Dart in the #3 spot with a 8.418

Holding down the bump in the 14 car field was Indiana racer James Hensler’s Barracuda.