HEMI CHALLENGE

“ Mechanically and car-wise, my dad and I are doing what we’ ve done in previous years, preventative maintenance, and making minor adjustments to the car,” Comella said.“ We just pay attention to details and make sure everything is right. We’ ll be testing before Indy but for the most part, I’ ll be driving my dad’ s original 1968 Super Stock HEMI at many Lucas Oil divisional races and a few NHRA National events before the NHRA U. S. Nationals. We also know there’ s

Bucky Hess Buddy Martin( left) and Herb McCandless

probably a big target on our back, but we don’ t get caught up in all the drama, we just do our deal.”

Former winner and last year’ s runner-up, Bucky Hess, has also been busy preparing his stunning 1968 Super Stock Barracuda for this year’ s Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge.

“ We’ ve been working on different gear ratios and torque convertors, and testing has shown it picked the car up a bunch,” Hess said.“ We’ ve also made some tire changes, and with Jason Line finding more power, I think we’ ll be really fast at Indy!”

The Sox & Martin NHRA HEMI Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection is scheduled for Friday, August 29, at Indianapolis Raceway Park during the running of the 71st annual NHRA US Nationals. The HEMI Challenge is open to all NHRA SS / AH competitors and will require at least one SS / AH Grade Point from a Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event or National Open before entering the NHRA U. S. Nationals to race in the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge. All SS / AH racers are encouraged to submit their event entry before Friday, August 22. DI

Stephen Comella

38 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 195