Drag Racing Action 

Images Phil Hutchison and Mashie Mihalko 

What began as class elimination at the US Nationals in 1968, the Hemi Challenge has morphed into one of the premier events for Mopar fans.

The cars, Hemi powered Dart and Barracudas specifically manufactured by Chrysler in 1968, have become one of the most popular Super Stock cars in the NHRA.

For the 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals the Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection featured nearly two dozen of the fire breathing beasts heading down the Lucas Oil dragstrip outside Indianapolis.

Comella,near lane is sitting in the #1 spot going into Friday’s eliminations

Leading qualifying after three sessions is defending champ Steve Comella from Webster NY with an 8.424 in his Hemi Cuda.

Just a tick behind Comella is long time Hemi racer Bucky Hess from Bunker Hill WV with an appropriate 8.426.

Sliding into #3 is former Pro Stock race champ and engine builder Jason Line at a 8.461.

Former Hemi Challenge champ Charlie Westcott is in the #4 qualifying spot with a 8.480.

The top eight cars are within with a tenth of each other with multi time champ Jimmy Daniels from Levittown PA in his Dart  #8 with an 8.532.

The bump for the 23 car show is Memphis TN racer Cleve Stewart at a  9.492

First round of the Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge is scheduled for Friday morning with hot and humid conditions returning for the second straight day at Indy.

Steve Comella is hoping to make it four straight Hemi wins at Indy