When Dodge started stuffing the 426 cubic-inch HEMI into passenger cars the world of drag racing changed forever. The elephant motor was a juggernaut at the track during the 1960s powering Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas. The HEMI Challenge is a specialty race that features the iconic SS/AH cars, and it will be back at the 70^th NHRA US Nationals thanks to Sox & Martin® and the McCandless Collection.

Ronnie Sox and Buddy Martin are legendary racers who helped blaze the trail all of the current NHRA stars walk on today. The duo struck fear into the hearts of competitors from coast to coast behind the wheel of their HEMI-powered machines. They also brought “Mr. Four Speed” Herb McCandless into the fold. McCandless went on to win the 1970 NHRA US Nationals Pro Stock title, as well as countless other races. Needless to say, you can’t think of HEMI racers without thinking of this trio of icons.

Martin will be the Grand Marshal and honorary starter for the 2024 Sox & Martin NHRA HEMI Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection. McCandless will be returning to the announcer’s booth to provide commentary for the event, and tell more of his great stories that cover the heyday of HEMI racing.

“Thanks to NHRA, my father was able to make a career out of drag racing and the motorsports parts industry. When I was presented with the opportunity to give back not just to NHRA, but to the Sportsman Racers who are the backbone of the sport, I jumped at the opportunity. Over 50 years ago, Buddy Martin of Sox & Martin fame gave my father the opportunity to showcase his driving and tuning skills for the number one team in drag racing. I can’t think of a better way to show my appreciation than lending my support to this unique event, which will now become the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection. Since this is also the 60th anniversary of the 426 HEMI, an engine that totally changed drag racing, we felt this was another great reason to take over this event,” said Mike McCandless, founder and CEO of The McCandless Collection and youngest son of iconic Mopar drag racer Herb McCandless.

If you’re a fan of these amazing Mopars, or just want to see some awesome naturally aspirated heads up racing, you’ll want to check out the 2024 Sox & Martin NHRA HEMI Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection during the US Nationals. These racers put on one heck of a show as they battle it out to win one of the most prestigious specialty races ever held at an NHRA national event.