Mark Howes  (Jeff Burk photo)	Dan Zrust   (Jeff Burk photo)

Charlie Westcott Jr., whose “Warfish” Cuda set the current SS/AH NHRA National record almost six years ago at 8.36/157.08, continued his family's dominance of the Mopar HEMI Challenge event by powering to his fourth career Indy victory in this race and taking home the $15,000 winner's purse in a final-round race with his father, Charlie Westcott Sr.

In addition to the 15 large that Westcott Jr. took to the bank for winning the HEMI Challenge, he also claimed the $1,000 bonus for getting the No. 1 Qualifying spot in the 20-car field.

Joe Teuton puts it on the bumper.  (Jeff Burk photo)

In Eliminations, because of the combination of a tricky track and the lower qualifiers knowing they would need their best light to advance, there were a lot of red light fouls and “bad” red light starts in both the first and second round. 

Chuck Comella had a losing .005 against Wescott Jr. in the second round and Mike Howes went .001 red against Jim Pancake. Joe Teuton put a .006 light on Gary Wolkwitz and made his 8.735 good against his opponent’s 8.654. Doug Barton bulbed with a -.011 and Stephen Hebert went .024 red against Westcott Sr.

“Congratulations to Charlie Westcott Jr. on winning the 11th annual Mopar HEMI Challenge," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand. "Mopar is proud to support this outstanding event, which recognizes the grassroots racers who are the backbone of the Mopar brand."

Westcott Jr. drove his 1968 "Warfish" Plymouth Barracuda to victories over Steve Kent, Chuck Comella and Gary Wolkwitz to set up a father-and-son battle. Westcott Sr. dispatched Rick Houser, Stephen Hebert and Wendell Howes on his road to the final.