Record Indy Winner Purse Offered by Mopar HEMI Challenge

Mopar, the automobile parts and service arm of Chrysler Group, announced today it as decided offers Mopar-powered Super Stock/A-HEMI (SS/AH) competitors a record $15,000 winner’s purse and a total event purse of $18,000, in the one-race shootout set to take place at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis on September 1-2.

Jim Daniels of Bristol, Pa., claimed the 2010 Mopar HEMI Challenge win at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Past winners at the HEMI Challenge event include Charlie Westcott Jr., a three-time Mopar HEMI Challenge Indy winner, and Bucky Hess, owner of the inaugural 2001 Mopar HEMI Challenge victory at Indy.

The Mopar HEMI Challenge matches SS/AH 1968 Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas in pitched quarter-mile competition.

"Grassroots racers who compete in the Mopar HEMI Challenge are the foundation of drag racing, and the reason why Mopar is involved in the NHRA," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand. "These enthusiast drivers spend a great deal of time and money preparing their Mopar HEMI-powered race cars for battle, and purchase many Mopar parts from their local Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, or Ram dealerships. They have a passion for the Mopar brand that reflects positively throughout the drag-racing world. This is why we recognize this passion supporting the HEMI Challenge."

“We are excited to have the Mopar HEMI Challenge event return as part of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals,” said Eric Lotz, Director of Field Marketing, NHRA. “It’s become an important part of the event and a must-see for all Sportsman enthusiasts. The increased purse from Mopar will add even more excitement to the competition."