NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge will celebrate its 25th anniversary during the upcoming 2026 Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

The Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge has been a tradition, and a fan favorite, at the U.S. Nationals since 2001. The event, held on Friday, Sept. 4, provides a showcase for the limited production Plymouth Barracuda and Dodge Dart factory race cars produced in 1968. Racing heads-up in the Super Stock AH class, these purpose-built "package cars" have dominated NHRA Super Stock racing for more than five decades, with numerous championships and low eight-second performances.

“I’m proud to be part of the Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge and its recognition of these hardworking Sportsman racers and their Hemi-powered Mopars. Ronnie [Sox] and I loved coming to the NHRA U.S. Nationals, and we won this prestigious race in Super Stock and Pro Stock many times,” said racing legend Buddy Martin, who will once again serve as the grand marshal and honorary starter for the event. “With 2026 being the 25th anniversary of the Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge, it’s a great way to honor the legacy and contributions that both Ronnie and I made to drag racing. This race also keeps the Sox & Martin legacy relevant among today’s racers and fans.”

Another living legend that’s long been a part of the Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge is Herb McCandless. The 1970 U.S. Nationals Pro Stock winner has provided color commentary for almost every Hemi Challenge event since 2001 and, like Buddy Martin, will be a grand marshal at this year’s race.

“I’m honored to once again be a part of the Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge. This is the 25th anniversary of this prestigious event, and I’ve never missed one,” said McCandless. “I have great memories of this race, and I enjoy talking to all the participants.

“The SS/AH racers put on a great show with amazing elapsed times and speeds. What they’ve done with these Super Stockers is amazing. The modern technology developed for these cars while following the strict rules is incredible, and it shows. Last year’s field was very close in qualifying, and during eliminations, they were side by side all the way down the track.”

The driving force behind the Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge is Mike McCandless, youngest son of Herb, and owner of the McCandless Collection, an automotive museum featuring prime examples of vintage Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge automobiles, vintage Hemi Super Stockers and Pro Stockers, and even authentic dealership signage dating back more than 100 years.

“It’s an honor to have picked up the reins of this awesome event back in 2024 and take it to the next level," Mike McCandless said. “Now, we’ve reached a milestone on the Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge as 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of this historic race within a race, and we’re not done yet.”

The 2026 Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 4, during the running of the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Participants expected to compete include past winners Bucky Hess, Charlie Westcott Jr., Stephen Comella, and the father-son team of James and Jimmy Daniels.

Past winners of Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge

2025        No winner (technical infractions) 
2024        Stephen Comella
2023        Stephen Comella  
2022        Stephen Comella 
2021        Stephen Comella  
2020        Stephen Yantus
2019        Jimmy Daniels  
2018        Jimmy Daniels  
2017        Jimmy Daniels 
2016        Jimmy Daniels 
2015        Lloyd Wofford 
2014        Charlie Westcott Jr.
2013        Rick Houser 
2012        Charlie Westcott Jr.
2011        Charlie Westcott Jr.
2010        James Daniels Sr. 
2009        Charlie Westcott Sr.
2008        Charlie Westcott Jr.
2007        Rick Houser 
2006        Charlie Westcott Jr.
2005        Charlie Westcott Jr.
2004        Jeg Coughlin Jr. 
2003        Jerry Jenkins 
2002        Richard Beshore  
2001        Bucky Hess