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Legendary NHRA Dodge HEMI Challenge to run at 2020 DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals

Dodge will return as title sponsor of the NHRA Dodge HEMI Challenge, marking nearly 20 consecutive years of FCA US LLC sponsorship of the popular NHRA Sportsman event at the historic DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals
06 Aug 2020
Posted by NHRA.com staff
News
Dodge NHRA Hemi Challenge

The annual NHRA Dodge HEMI Challenge will fire up Sept. 3-4 at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis as part of the five days of race action at the 66th annual DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals. The event showcases Super Stock/A-Hemi (SS/AH) NHRA Sportsman class competitors battling on the quarter-mile in 1968 Dodge Dart and Plymouth Barracuda machines powered by the mighty 426-cid HEMI engine.

These legendary 1968 Dodge and Plymouth “package” cars — so named because they were purpose built as a distinct “package” for use solely on the drag strip — serve as precursors to the modern-day package car, the Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak. Competitors will vie for the unique 42.6-lb NHRA Dodge HEMI Challenge trophy, created as a callout to the 426-cid HEMI engine and a $15,000 winner’s purse.

Qualifying for the NHRA Dodge HEMI Challenge will be held on Thursday, Sept. 3, with eliminations on Friday, Sept. 4.

Fans in attendance or watching NHRA on FOX and NHRA.tv will also get to see and hear Hemi cars rumble down Indy’s famed return road—as they’ve done for more than 50 years —with a special Hemi Challenge car parade on Friday, Sept. 4. to highlight these truly unique and pristine race cars, as well as the drivers who race them.