Dodge HEMI® Challenge Returns in 2022 for 21st Year
Dodge announced a two-year plan in 2021 called the “Dodge Never Lift” plan. A 24-month road map to Dodge performance in the future, it was met with the Dodge HWY 93 Campaign in June 2022 for the summer. As a part of the campaign, Dodge will be hosting automotive-enthusiast-related events and operations every three months for the next two years. So far, these have included including Operation 25//8, the Dodge Chief Donut Maker, the new Direct Connection Performance Parts catalog, Dodge Jailbreak models, Dodge Power Brokers, the release of HEMI® Orange for the Durango, MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge, and most recently, the Dodge “Last Call” special edition models for the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger. Before we say goodbye to the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger as we know it, there are still many events to look forward to before Dodge eMuscle with the likes of the 2022 Dodge Hornet PHEV and Dodge Charger Daytona SRT BEV Concept. One of these events is the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) specialty race, the Dodge HEMI® Challenge.
Going on for 21 years, the Dodge HEMI Challenge will take place during the 68th annual Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals September 1-2 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Celebrating the vintage HEMI-powered 1968 Dodge Dart and Plymouth Barracuda “package cars” that completely decimated the competition in the NHRA Super Stock (SS/AH) class for more than 50 years, the fan-favorite Dodge HEMI Challenge races these vintage vehicles drag race style every year. With more than 20 entrants expected to compete for the new trophy and bragging rights this year, led by Paul Rossi, renowned Mopar drag racer, engine builder, development engineer, team owner, and innovator.
“I had an original HEMI ‘Cuda and took it to the Super Stock (SS/AA) 1975 NHRA World Finals (Ontario, California) and while I finished runner-up, I was the last standing Mopar and fastest HEMI in the country. I guess I’m now the face of the Direct Connection old guard. I’m happy to see the brand continue with this new generation of clean performance and happy to have Dodge still value their history with the HEMI Challenge and continue to build their legend at the event. My first U.S. Nationals was in 1963 aboard a brand new Plymouth Ramcharger A/FX (Factory Experimental class similar to the Factory Stock Showdown), the first Mopar to enter the class, and coming here to Indy was just the biggest thrill. As a competitor or a fan, it still has that appeal.” – Rossi
Rossi is known for winning multiple IMSA championships and Pike’s Peak endurance races in the NHRA, becoming a racing legend. Along with the event that surround this year’s Dodge HEMI Challenge, Rossi will also be sitting down with Direct Connection spokesperson Chuck Spieser for a question-and-answer session with performance enthusiasts on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 3:30 pm at the Dodge//SRT and Mopar exhibit in the NHRA’s Manufacturers’ Midway. This year, competition is hot with the victor of the rally race receiving $15,000 and a custom-made Dodge HEMI Challenge trophy created by Tom Patsis of Cold Hard Art, a local Brownsburg, Indiana-based artist also known as a former NHRA welder-fabricator and winner of the 2021 Netflix competition series “Metal Shop Masters.” Joining the racers in the event are defending winner Steve Comella, having also won in 2022; four-time Dodge HEMI Challenge winner Jim Daniels Jr. (2016-2019); Jim Pancake and his ‘68 Dodge Dart, Joe Teuton at the wheel of his ’68 ‘Cuda, and the first Dodge HEMI Challenge winner, Bucky Hess II (2001), with his ‘68 Plymouth Barracuda.
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