HEMI Heroes |
Buddy Martin |
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The fastest NHRA SS / AH cars in the country to compete at Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge By David Hakim |
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The Sox & Martin ® HEMI ® Challenge will once again be a part of the legendary 2025 Cornwall Quality Tools NHRA U. S. Nationals as the fastest SS / AH machines in the country will descend on the historic Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge, the longestrunning continuous specialty race in NHRA history, features exciting heads-up, wheel-standing, and side-by-side racing of HEMI-powered 1968 Super Stock Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas competing in the NHRA SS / AH class. This limited production‘ HEMI Package Cars,’ built specifically for Super Stock competition, has been a part of drag racing history for over five decades and made Sox & Martin legendary among fans and feared among the competition. Coming off the success of the 2024 event, the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge presented by the Mc- Candless Collection will once again elevate this celebrated race to even greater heights.
Once again, legendary drag racing innovator and team owner Buddy Martin will be the Honorary
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Starter for the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge.
“ I’ m excited to once again be part of this great event and to have it sponsored by Sox & Martin is a great honor for me,” Martin said.“ Indy holds a special place in my heart. It was here that Ronnie( Sox) won back in 1969 driving our Super Stock HEMI Barracuda and Herb( McCandless) in 1970 racing our Pro Stock HEMI Duster. To come back and see the level of performance these HEMI Barracudas and Darts are running is just phenomenal and proves what a great Super Stock package Chrysler built back in 1968.”
Another drag racing legend attending the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge will be Herb Mc- Candless. Herb has been a fixture of this event
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for decades and provides great historical context during the NHRA TV broadcast.
“ This is the 25th anniversary of the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge and I’ ve never missed one,” said Herb.“ This race always brings back great memories and I enjoy talking to fans. These Super Stock HEMI Barracudas and Darts put on a great show with amazing ETs and speed. Last year, the field was as tight as I’ ve seen with impressive side-by-side racing.”
Stephen Comella, who has won this event four consecutive times, has been hard at work dialing in his SS / AH 1968 HEMI Barracuda. The New York resident and his father, Chuck, exchange ideas and collaborate on improvements to their Barracuda.
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID HAKIM |