Wolkwitz Qualifies No. 1 for Mopar HEMI® Challenge, McCandless Honored with President’s Award

Geoff Turk and Leah Pritchett Qualify in Top Five for Factory Stock Showdown

Wolkwitz is no stranger to very quick times, as he is also the current SS/AH national record holder. However, he said he has struggled to find power recently, making the No. 1 effort a pleasant surprise. Last year’s HEMI Challenge winner, Jimmy Daniels, qualified second in his ’68 Dart with an 8.501-second elapsed time on the famed quarter mile just outside Indianapolis.

The top 16 finishers in the Mopar HEMI Challenge each receive a cash payout, with all competitors receiving hats, decals and special limited-edition posters. The event has become one of the most anticipated programs for Sportsman racers each year.

Elimination rounds get underway at 10:30 a.m. on Friday morning, with the final round scheduled to take place between the first Funny Car and Top Fuel qualifying sessions later in the evening.

Herb McCandless Presented with President’s Award
The annual Mopar Sportsman Appreciation Night took place on Thursday evening at Lucas Oil Raceway, where longtime Mopar ambassador Herb McCandless was honored with the special Mopar President’s Award. Mopar Motorsports Marketing Manager, Dale Aldo, made the presentation.

Known as “Mr. 4-Speed” for his uncanny ability to drive manual transmission race cars, McCandless is a Mopar legend. His fledgling start in 426 HEMI-powered Dodge and Plymouth stock drag cars in the mid ’60s led to a successful career racing Super Stock and Pro Stock cars as a member of the U.S. Drag Racing Team for the likes of Sox & Martin and Dick Landy. He founded, owned and operated a successful Direct Connection and Mopar Performance parts business for 22 years, helping Chrysler Corporation develop its dominant small-block race program.

Even today, as a classic vehicle restorer, McCandless has remained loyal to the Mopar brand, Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth vehicles. His announcing of the Mopar HEMI Challenge at each U.S. Nationals has also become an anticipated part of the event. Recognized by his induction into the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2008 and Mopar Collectors Guide Hall of Fame in 2012, McCandless has cemented his legacy in the sport of drag racing. The President’s Award recognizes his lifelong motorsports success and unwavering support of the Mopar brand.

In addition to the presentation of the President’s Award, the event honored loyal Mopar Sportsman racers with food and drinks, special guest speakers, demonstrations by SRT engineers, Mopar raffle giveaways, trivia and more.

Turk, Pritchett Qualify for Factory Stock Showdown
Qualifying has also concluded for the fourth of five Factory Stock Showdown events scheduled for 2017, with Mopar HEMI power claiming the No. 3 and No. 5 positions on the elimination ladder in the 16-car field spotlighting modern American muscle. Geoff Turk made an 8.151-second pass at 165.92 mph in his “Blackbird” Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak to claim the third spot. Mopar Top Fuel driver Leah Pritchett meanwhile is making her Factory Stock Showdown debut at this year’s “Big Go.” She turned in a best lap of 8.199 seconds at 164.09 mph, good enough for the fifth qualifying position in her Challenger Drag Pak entry.

A total of 22 cars made qualifying attempts. The first round of eliminations is slated for noon on Sunday, September 3.