Final Qualifying for the Hemi Shootout at Mopars at the Strip.

John Rains in his “Heli-Hemi” Dart remained #1, but moved up from his previous 8.807 in the last qualifying session with a solid 8.732 ET at 151.29 MPH, the head of the class.

Michael Ogburn (near lane) ended Saturday qualifying in the #5 position with an 8.878 at 149.30 MPH with Charlie Wescott Sr. moving into the #4 spot with his 8.833 ET at 153.32 MPH in his desert camouflage, Jesel-backed Barracuda.

Friday qualifying is over with one more session before Saturday eliminations, John Rains in his “Heli-Hemi” Dart leads the field with an 8.807 Elapsed Time.

Sunset at the Strip at Las Vegas

The following photos are by James Drew and Tim Marshall

Santa Paula, California’s John Rains leads Friday qualifying with his strong 8.807 ET at 149.76 MPH piloting the “Heli-Hemi” Dodge Dart.

The final qualifying session for the MOPARS at the Strip Hemi Shootout will be held on Saturday Morning.

Hole-shot Master Rick Houser readies for a quarter mile pass in the Jim DeFrank & Sons ‘68 Barracuda, sponsored by California Car Duster with a Joe Allread-built Hemi.

Throwing a fresh Harry Holton-built Hemi bullet into one of the West Coast Hemi’s.

Hemi Veteran tuner Harry Holton jumped in to the engine bay of one of the West Coast Hemi’s to resolve some transmission issues.

Charlie Westcott, Jr. all the way from Parma, MI in his “War Fish” ‘68 Barracuda.

Dave Raybourn in his “Mean Fish” ‘68 Barracuda from Modesto CA.

Mark Vieira from Turlock, California leaves the starting line in his 1968 Hemi-Dart, sponsored by Glendora Dodge.

In more Friday action Delaware, Ohio’s Jim Pancake launches his ‘68 Barracuda.

Gary Moore from Vigo Park TX in his ‘68 Hemi-Barracuda

Hemi Shootout -- Friday

Fred Henson from Madisonville TX brought his ‘68 Dart for the Hemi Challenge grabbing the #3 qualifying spot at the end of Friday with his 8.869 ET at 149.43 MPH. 

There’s one more round of qualifying on Saturday morning with eliminations starting at Noon.

Mopar Max will bring you same day (but not live) coverage of first HEMI Challenge event of the 2008 season. Our coverage team will include Darr Hawthorne, “Nitro” Joe Jackson, James Drew and Tim Marshall. Check back often over the weekend, you won’t want to miss any of the action!

GUESTS OF HONOR

Tom Hoover, the “Godfather” of the Hemi
Tom Coddington, Ramchargers member and Chrysler drag racing engineer

OTHER SCHEDULED GUESTS

Diane Sox:  representing the Ronnie Sox Foundation, go to www.ronniesox.com
(Tenative)
Buddy Martin: original member of the Sox and Martin Race Team (Tentative)
Arlen Vanke: Original Hemi Super Stock Racer, and National Event Winner.
Dick Oldfield: “Dodge Good Guys” Hemi Dart in 68, Motown Missile Pro Stock
Challenger, Chrysler Race Group
Ed Miller: Plymouth Rock-Miller & Gunther
Herb McCandless: Mr. 4 Speed, Sox and Martin Racing
HL Shahan: Drag On Lady
Jack Werst: 5/50 Race Car Driver and Owner
Judy (Lilly) Gunson: Judy Lilly
Mary Ann (Voss) Jackson: Go Hummer and Sox and Martin Racing 1965-1965 Hemi Dart Driver
Mickey Weise:  Mickey Weise, Original Hemi Super Stock Racer
Shirley (Shahan) Bridges: Drag On Lady
Bill Bagshaw: Driver of the Red Light Bandit (Tentative)
Dave McClelland: Renowned Motorsports commentator.
Lou Santiago: from Spike TV’s “Muscle Car TV”
Bob Riggle: Driver of the “Hurst Hemi Under Glass”
Don Grotheer: Chrysler Clinic’s, Super Car Clinic’s, Factory Racer
Bob Tarozzi: ’68 Super Stock Hemi A-Body Team at Chrysler (Tentative)

Under the Hemi Tent this year will be a tribute display of ‘68 Hemi Racers and Hemi Darts and Cudas recognizing the 40th anniversary of the ‘68 factory-built Hemi Super Stocks, presented by Flowmaster.

Confirmed Cars

Dodge
‘68 Dodge Dart-Dick Landy
‘68 Dodge Dart-Larry Griffiths
‘68 Dodge Dart- Jim Pancake
‘68 Dodge Dart- Jack Thomas
‘68 Dodge Dart-Tribute Car

Plymouth
‘68 Cuda-Sox and Martin Racing
‘68 Cuda- 5-50 Jack Werst
‘68 Cuda- Cogletti & Vancleave
‘68 Cuda- Arkron Arlen Vanke
‘68 Cuda-Tribute Car

CONFIRMED 2008 HEMI SUPER STOCK RACE PARTICIPANTS

1. Wild Bill Collett: The West Virginia Hillbilly
2. Paul Bartlett: Team Racing Performance Group
3. Gary Wolkwitz 1968 Dodge Dart SS/AH # 1945
4. Bob Wolkwitz 1968 Plymouth Barracuda SS/AH # 1954
5 & 6. West Coast Hemis 1968 Plymouth Hemi Cuda