One of the most competitive and compelling activities taking place during the 2026 Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals on Labor Day weekend, will be the 25th anniversary of the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge. NHRA’s longest-running specialty race takes place on the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park dragstrip and has been a tradition at The Big Go since 2001.
Showcasing the limited production 1968 HEMI Plymouth Barracudas and HEMI Dodge Darts racing heads-up in the SS/AH class, these purpose-built ‘Package Cars’ have dominated NHRA’s Super Stock class for more than 50 years, having claimed numerous championships. They carry through the tradition 25 years after they began competing on drag racing’s biggest stage.
The best of the best compete in this single-day event, and Buddy Martin, who ran the business side of the Sox & Martin team and Jake King, the team’s master engine builder for its Barracudas and Darts, campaigning with driver Ronnie Sox is obviously happy to see the success of the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge. “I’m proud to be part of the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge and its recognition of these hardworking sportsman racers and their HEMI-powered Mopars. Ronnie and I loved coming to the NHRA U.S. Nationals, and we won this prestigious race in Super Stock and Pro Stock many times,” he noted.
“With 2026 being the 25th anniversary of the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge, it’s a great way to honor the legacy and contributions that both Ronnie and I made to drag racing. This race also,” he reminded, “keeps the Sox & Martin legacy relevant among today’s racers and fans.”
Martin is sharing Grand Marshal status this year – a post he’s had, along with honorary starter of the race – with Herb McCandless, the 1970s U.S. Nationals Pro Stock winner who’s provided color commentary for nearly every Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge since 2001. “I’m honored to, once again, be a part of the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge. This is the 25th anniversary of this prestigious event – and I’ve never missed one,” McCandless revealed.
“I have great memories of this race and I enjoy talking to all the participants,” McCandless continued. “The SS/AH racers put on a great show with amazing ETs and speeds. What they’ve done with these Super Stockers is amazing. The modern technology developed for these cars, while following the strict rules, is incredible and it shows. Last year’s field,” he recalled, “was very close in qualifying. During eliminations, they were side-by-side all the way down the track!” Herb McCandless drove the Sox & Martin Plymouth HEMI Duster to the first Pro Stock NHRA U.S. Nationals win in 1970.
Mike McCandless, Herb’s youngest son owns the McCandless Collection, an automotive museum featuring prime examples of vintage Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge automobiles, vintage HEMI Super Stockers and Pro Stockers, and even authentic dealership signage dating back over 100 years. He began organizing the event two years ago and states it’s in his lineage to organize the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge.
“It’s an honor to have picked up the reins of this awesome event back in 2024 and take it to the next level. Now we’ve reached a milestone on the Sox & martin HEMI Challenge,” Mike McCandless stated, “as 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of this historic race within a race. We’re not done yet!”
In 2025, the 24th Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge saw three-time Pro Stock titleholder and 51-time class winner Jason Line earn the victory against four-time event titleholder Jimmy Daniels. Both were disqualified later for technical infractions. Once their infractions were discovered and confirmed, organizers elected not to declare a victor. Prize money was shared by all remaining competitors.
This year’s 25th anniversary Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge, which is part of NHRA’s diamond, 75th anniversary Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, is scheduled to take place on Friday, September 4 on the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park dragstrip, during the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals.
Best class ever, love those Mopars.