Mopar Sets Third Annual Super Stock Hemi Challenge
Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Indianapolis Raceway Park -- Indianapolis, Ind. Mopar Sets Third Annual Super Stock Hemi Challenge U.S. Nationals Will Again Host the Best Super Stockers in the Country INDIANAPOLIS (July 3, 2003) It¹s back. The third annual Mopar Performance Parts Super Stock Hemi Challenge will once again be contested in conjunction with the 49th running of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The Challenge, which is slated for Friday, Aug. 29, matches the nation¹s elite limited production 1968 Super Stock Hemi Darts and Cudas in a heads up shootout for $10,000. A new Hemi block will be awarded to the runner up. ³We¹re expecting a huge turnout this year,² said David Hakim, Mopar Performance Parts product line manager. ³Many new cars are being built just for this race. It¹s quickly becoming one of the crown jewel events for NHRA¹s Sportsman category.² In 2001, West Virginia¹s Bucky Hess won the inaugural Mopar Performance Parts Super Stock Hemi Challenge in his 1968 Barracuda; while last year¹s event went to Michigan heart-surgeon Richard Beshore and his 1968 Hemi-powered Cuda. ³We do have one major rule change from last year,² Hakim noted. ³There will be no mandated use of a spec fuel. Racers can use any fuel they wish, provided it passes NHRA fuel check. We wanted to let the racers run their choice of fuel because their engine tune up, in many cases, is dictated by the type and brand of fuel they use. These cars are so finely tuned that it makes a big difference.² NHRA¹s vaunted Super Stock category has had an illustrious and long history within the sport of drag racing. Household names like Ronnie Sox and Dick Landy dominated the category back in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In the late 70s and early 80s however, the presence of Hemi Super Stock racers began to dwindle due to a lack of parts and engine development. It wasn¹t until 1980s, when Mopar Performance Parts reintroduced the cast iron Hemi block and heads, that engine wizards like Ray Barton and Don McCallum began to revitalize the category. ³These cars were, and still are technological marvels due to the passion and dedication these racers put into them,² Hakim said. ³Not to mention that Mopar Performance Parts is committed to keeping the Hemi heritage alive both on the track and on the street for years to come.² -Mopar.com- For more information, contact: David Harris, Cox Marketing Group Public Relations Manager Team Mopar NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series davidh@coxmarketinggroup.com (704) 799-2114 office (704) 756-9301 - mobile