(May 16, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Mopar announced today that the 11th Annual Mopar HEMI Challenge will feature Mopar-powered Super Stock/A-HEMI (SS/AH) competitors battling it out in a one-race shootout at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis on Sept. 1–2.

Drivers competing in the popular National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Sportsman event will vie for the $15,000 winner's purse and a total event purse of $18,000, both the largest in the history of the Mopar HEMI Challenge.

"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'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."

The Mopar HEMI Challenge matches SS/AH 1968 Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas in pitched quarter-mile competition. The NHRA Sportsman event began life as a one-race shootout at the 2001 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals and returns to its roots as a single-race event following a number of years as a multi-race series.

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, now a much-anticipated Labor Day weekend tradition, 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.