NHRA: MOPAR Performance Parts to sponsor Hemi Challenge at US Nationals
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
March 18, 2001GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- As part of the National Hot Rod Association's 50th Anniversary celebration, Mopar Performance Parts will sponsor the Super Stock Hemi Challenge at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, Aug. 29-Sept. 3 at Indianapolis Raceway Park, officials from both organizations announced today.
Mopar Performance Parts, the performance group for the Mopar Parts network, will post a $10,000 bonus to the winner of the Super Stock Hemi Challenge, and award a new Hemi block to the runner-up.
Mopar Performance Parts' sponsorship of the popular event will highlight the Chrysler Hemi's 50th anniversary. The NHRA, founded in 1951 by Wally Parks, is also celebrating a golden anniversary in 2001.
"We're thrilled to have the support of Mopar Performance Parts behind one of the most eagerly anticipated sportsman bonus events during the year, the Super Stock Hemi Challenge," said Len Imbrogno, NHRA director of sportsman racing and member tracks. "Super Stock Hemi cars have certainly achieved legendary status throughout many years of competition and have developed a great fan following. With Mopar Performance Parts' support, the Super Stock Hemi Challenge will gain even more visibility and recognition."
NHRA competitors who are eligible for the competition 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 superstars such as Ronnie Sox and Dick Landy in the 1960s, who won numerous national events and national championships in the lightweight, high-horsepower Super Stock entries.
"The Super Stock Hemi Challenge will not only showcase these fantastic cars, but also Mopar Performance Parts commitment in providing the highest quality parts for our loyal Sportsman racers," said David Hakim, marketing manager for Mopar Performance Parts. "With 2001 being the 50th anniversary of the legendary Hemi engine, our sponsorship of the Super Stock Hemi Challenge makes perfect sense."
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.
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 24 national events through its NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has more than 80,000 members
nationwide and more than 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series' provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the NHRA Castrol GTX Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17 and its newest series, the NHRA Summit Import Drag Racing Series.
Text provided by Anthony Vestal
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