Maple Grove Raceway’s Dutch Classic has long been the stomping grounds for NHRA racers looking to go fast and set records. The fall event, held each October, is often ripe with cool air, and the sticky quarter-mile race track makes the perfect combination for big speed and low elapsed times. There’s hardly a better place to take in Stock and Super Stock racing, whether you’re into the current crop of factory COPO Camaros, Drag Pak Challengers, Cobra Jet Mustangs, or the time-honored Dodge and Plymouth Hemi machines that compete in the annual Hemi Challenge.
Of all the factory racers, the 1968 ½ Hemi-powered Cudas and Darts are still fan favorites. The 426 Hemi engine has a mystique of its own and today’s competitors are squeezing nearly 1,000 horsepower from them, while ripping off the line and dipping solidly in the low 8s. And, aside from sitting a bit lower, the Hemi cars look much like they did years ago. The original Super Stock architecture remains intact, but today you’ll find sheet-metal intake manifolds, radial slick tires, and a tad more roll cage tubing. You’ll also find those iron elephant heads and a pair of Holley carbs on every Hemi — all fed through the massive factory scoop.
And much like the early days of drag racing, today’s Hemi set is filled with exciting characters and plenty of smack talk, but the cars are the real stars of the show. Those meticulously prepared Mopars feature wild paint jobs and interesting race car names such as Kandy Kuda, King Cuda, and Hell’s Hemi. The 2015 Hemi Challenge, presented by Penske Truck Leasing, brought out the top players including David Barton, Bucky Hess, Jim Daniels, Jim Pancake, Steve Comella, Gus Mantas, Stephen Hebert, and other Hemi hit men.
Local favorite David Barton was behind the wheel of Gary Wolkwitz’s Dodge Dart and took advantage of the Ray Barton Racing Engine Hemi to nab the pole with a stout 8.278 at 159 mph. “I was really excited to drive Gary’s car,” Barton said. “His Dart is the current NHRA national record holder at 8.21 at 160.69 mph, and he thought it would be a shame to let it sit.” Other notables in qualifying were Hess, who ran 8.33 at 159 mph with Jason Line Power and Tyler Hard, who clocked an 8.39 at 158 mph.
“I was really happy with the 8.27,” stated Barton. “It was my first time in the 8.20s, and of course it’s nice having the quickest car.” Despite having the bye run (due to the 15-car field) Barton fired off a low elapsed time for round one with an 8.34 at 158 mph, while the rest of the pack was stuck in the 8.40s.
Stephen Hebert of Westlake, Louisiana defeated Tom Gordon of Houma, Louisiana; Doug Fazzolare in his first-ever Hemi Shootout appearance got past Bucky Hess; Joe Teuton topped Kyle Kohr, and on the other side of the ladder, Eldon Baum defeated Pancake. Jim Daniels beat Al Smyth; Stephen Comella took out Wendell Howes, and Tyler Hard got a competition single when Gus Mantas couldn’t make the call.
First up for round two was Fazzolare in his Hemi Dart, and he dropped a quick .007 on Herbet (.045), but Herbet powered past to beat Fazzolare (8.407 to 8.481) by a mere .036 second. Hard put a slight holeshot on Teuton and nipped him at the stripe to advance.
Next up was Jim Daniels who faced Comella and the original Hemi Dart that his father Chuck purchased new. Daniels left first (.047 to .050), but the Westcott-powered Dart marched past Daniels (8.46 to 8.47) to grab the win by just .012 of a second. In the final bout, Barton made a clean 8.33-second pass to easily handle Baum who ran 8.76.
According to Barton, a top-running Hemi makes approximately 1,000 horsepower and spins as high as 9,700 rpm in the lights. “We’re really revving these engines very high and looking to go higher — RPM is king,” he said. “We use the Spintron, dyno, and the track to get as much data as possible. And, between every run we’re looking under the valve covers, checking the valve springs and rockers. You have to do it every run,” he added, “there’s just too much on the line.”
Moving to the semi-finals, Comella topped Herbert who redlighted, while Barton, despite giving up the tree (.080 to .037) outran Hard by over a tenth to set up the final pairing.
“I was confident going into the final,” said Barton. “Having the fastest car puts you on a pedestal, but there’s also a lot of pressure, especially when you’re driving for someone,” he added. “You don’t want to screw up. There’s a lot to making a good run. You have to tune the engine, stay on top of the track conditions and the suspension, and then drive the car well. Plus all the stuff we do between rounds.”
Neither driver was stellar when the tree dropped as Comella left first with a .106 reaction time, but Barton quickly made up the difference and charged the stripe, clocking a strong 8.36 at 157 mph to best Comella’s off-the-pace 8.60 at 154 mph. The win is Barton’s second in Hemi Shootout competition, and he was elated to take the title and the $4,000 winner’s prize.
“To win the whole thing felt great for me and the team. It keeps everyone pumped up and motivated to work hard over the winter. The Dutch [Classic] is our favorite race. The track has great scenery, great air, and I’ve been going there since as long as I can remember. It’s really nice to win and feel some of the glory from driving since I’m usually the one working on them,” Barton added. “I have to thank Brian Hard, Jim Daniels, and especially Gary Wolkwitz. They all work really hard and doing R&D and giving us great feedback.”
Round By Round Results
Hemi Challenge at the Dutch Classic
Round 1
Stephen Hebert (Westlake, Louisiana) .035 R/T 8.425 ET 159.17 mph
Tom Gordon (Houma, Louisiana) foul -.103 R/T 10.513 ET 88.80 mph
Doug Fazzolare (Houma, Louisiana) .053 R/T 8.488 ET 155.87 mph
Bucky Hess (Bunker Hill, West Virginia) .026 R/T 33.105 ET 33.04 mph
Joe Teuton (Schiever, Louisiana) .154 R/T 8.539 ET 157.26 mph
Kyle Kohr (Myerstown, Pennsylvania) foul -.017 R/T 9.465 ET 117.14 mph
Eldon Baum (Dover, Pennslvania) .131 R/T 8.756 ET 149.07 mph
Jim Pancake (Cardington, Ohio) .041 R/T 19.715 ET 40.25 mph
Jim Daniels (Bristol, Pennsylvania) -.003 R/T 8.533 ET 158.00 mph
Al Smyth (Uxbridge, Maine) foul -.171 R/T 8.612 ET 156.32 mph
Stephen Comella (Webster, New York) .048 R/T 8.460 ET 154.99 mph
Wendell Howes (Rathesay, N.B.) foul -.139 R/T 8.850 ET 58.78 mph
Tyler Hard (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) .031 R/T 8.443 ET 156.08 mph
Gus Mantas (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) BROKE
David Barton (Robesonia, Pennsylvania) .056 R/T 8.348 ET 158.00 mph
Round 2
Stephen Herbert .045 R/T 8.407 ET 159.40 mph
Doug Fazzolare .007 R/T 8.481 ET 156.25 mph
Tyler Hard .085 R/T 8.477 ET 155.67 mph
Joe Teuton .089 R/T 8.504 ET 158.02 mph
Stephen Comella .050 R/T 8.463 ET 155.02 mph
Jim Daniels .047 R/T 8.478 ET 158.65 mph
David Barton .044 R/T 8.330 ET 159.55 mph
Eldon Baum .058 R/T 8.761 ET 149.18 mph
Round 3
Stephen Comella .020 R/T 8.854 ET 123.14 mph
Stephen Herbert foul -.244 R/T 9.523 ET 104.16 mph
David Barton .080 R/T 8.312 ET 158.45 mph
Tyler Hard .037 R/T 8.438 ET 157.14 mph
Final
David Barton .121 R/T 8.360 ET 157.96 mph
Stephen Comella .106 R/T 8.608 ET 154.35 mph
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