Racers have frequently come and gone during the 16-year history of the Mopar Hemi Challenge in Indianapolis (and in the decades prior) for the vaunted 1968 Plymouth Barracudas and Dodge Darts, but there’s been one singular constant in the class besides the make and model of the vehicles and the engine that powers them: West Virginia native Bucky Hess. The auto body shop owner who’s always sported inarguably the most colorful racing machines in the sportsman pit area, has been a part of the Super Stock A/Hemi (previously Super Stock A/Automatic) class for as long as we can remember in a series of spectacular Hemi ‘Cudas.

Hess has proven to be as dedicated as any one man can be to the Super Stock Hemi ranks, and he’ll have to combine that dedication with his talents as an auto body shop operator to get back on track after a second accident in the last three seasons, this one coming in front of a packed house at the NHRA U.S. Nationals during the Hemi Challenge Friday afternoon at Indianapolis.

Hess was the No. 1 qualifier in the field of 20 entrants in the Hemi Challenge with a stellar 8.459 and had worked his way through the first three rounds of the five-round shootout to secure a matchup with Stephen Hebert, with the winner advancing on to the $15,000-to-win finale under the lights. Hess strapped a .005 light on Hebert and, given his performance throughout the day, may have very well taken the matchup; instead, he found himself traveling nose-first into the guardrail after his machine dropped fluid under the rear tires just beyond the tree, rendering him little more than a passenger on a dicey and gut-wrenching ride.

Fortunately, the veteran racer was able to slow the car before impact and minimized the damage in the process, but seeing one of these classic behemoths — especially one with such a spellbinding paint scheme — mangled is painful even for those not involved with Hess’ team.

Hess has bounced from bigger hits than this, and we full expect (and hope) to see one of Super Stock racings’ icons back at it soon.