Mopar Hemi Challenge set for Sept. 4 at U.S. Nationals

The ninth edition of the Mopar HEMI Challenge Race Series at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals pits nearly two dozen of the famous SS/AH 1968 HEMI Darts and Barracudas against each other to see if Charlie Westcott Jr., will win his fourth Indy HEMI Challenge event in the last five years and collect the $10,000 payout.

Westcott Jr., the usual favorite in these events, has a brand-new ’68 HEMI Barracuda named War Fish running for the first time, so all eyes will be on him to see whether he will again be a threat. “The new car is ready and it’s running well,” said Westcott.

Westcott Jr.’s old War Fish (above) may be the winningest Super Stock HEMI in history, surpassing even the ’68 HEMI Barracudas of Ronnie Sox (1969 U.S. Nationals winner) and Arlen Vanke (1968 U.S. Nationals winner).

No matter what happens to Charlie this year on Friday, Sept. 4, chances are that the name Westcott will still be listed as one of the favorites. Charlie’s father, Charlie Westcott Sr., is also a fast runner. He holds the top speed record in the SS/AH class at just a tick below 160 mph.

The field also includes Melvin Daniels, a Yardley, Pa., dentist who won the most recent Mopar HEMI Challenge. Ohio Chrysler dealer and recent winner Jim Pancake will compete in his ’68 HEMI Dart, as will Dodge dealer Darrell Marvel of Big Rapids, Mich. Randy Warford of Nashville, Ind., will compete in his ’68 HEMI Barracuda and is also bringing a new Dodge Challenger Drag Pak by Mopar to run in A/Stock Automatic during the weekend.

The Mopar HEMI Challenge Race Series will visit the Jegs Northern SPORTSnationals, Sept. 25–27, at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio, and the Dutch Classic, Oct. 22–25, at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. Each event offers $5,000 prize money to the winner. (Chris Haverly photo) [9/2/2009]]