Comella's Cuda Takes Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge At 70th NHRA U.S. Nationals

Chuck Comella Powers to Quickest Pass in Sox & Martin HEMI Shootout at the Big Go

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – On a sweltering first day of qualifying at the 70th annual Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Chuck Comella laid down the quickest run of the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge during a special exhibition pass to qualify for this weekend’s competition.

Comella’s 1970 Cuda clocked an astonishing 8.236-second elapsed time at a blistering 166.65 mph.

The Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge, which features 16 of the quickest and fastest Mopar Hemi-powered cars in the country, will take to the track again at approximately 3 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, Sept. 1, for their second qualifying session. Eliminations for the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge are scheduled for 4 p.m. (ET) on Friday, Sept. 2, during the final day of qualifying for the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals.

Comella’s Impressive Performance

Comella, of Worcester, Massachusetts, made the most of his exhibition pass opportunity, putting together an impressive run that showcased the power and performance of his classic Cuda. His 8.236-second elapsed time was nearly two-tenths of a second quicker than the next-fastest car in the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge field.

Comella’s performance was a testament to his driving skills and the hard work of his team, who have meticulously prepared his Cuda for this event.

A Storied History

The Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge is one of the most popular and prestigious events at the NHRA U.S. Nationals. The race was created in 1995 to honor the legendary Mopar drag racing team of Sox & Martin, who dominated the sport in the 1960s and 1970s.

The Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge has a rich history, with many of the biggest names in drag racing having competed in the event. The race is always highly competitive, with the drivers pushing their cars to the limit in an effort to win the coveted Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge title.