P.B. Candies, son of legendary nitro team owner Paul Candies, has his rig sitting in the staging area for O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis. He’s pulling double duty this weekend at the NHRA U.S. Nationals with a pair of hot rods which would make even the most seasoned auto enthusiast stutter with excitement.

Sitting inside his trailer are two collector cars, from different manufacturers, both bearing the serial number 13. While triskaidekaphobia [the fear of number 13] might have influenced some to shy away from the largely lauded bad fortunes number, Candies feels just the opposite – he considers himself lucky to have a pair of 13s.

“It’s a safe bet to say I will be the only racer in Indy this weekend with the same serial number for a Drag Pack and Cobra Jet with the same serial number,” said Candies.



P.B. Candies, son of legendary nitro team owner Paul Candies, has his rig sitting in the staging area for O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis. He’s pulling double duty this weekend at the NHRA U.S. Nationals with a pair of hot rods which would make even the most seasoned auto enthusiast stutter with excitement.

Sitting inside his trailer are two collector cars, from different manufacturers, both bearing the serial number 13. While triskaidekaphobia [the fear of number 13] might have influenced some to shy away from the largely lauded bad fortunes number, Candies feels just the opposite – he considers himself lucky to have a pair of 13s.

“It’s a safe bet to say I will be the only racer in Indy this weekend with the same serial number for a Drag Pack and Cobra Jet with the same serial number,” said Candies.

Candies’ newest 13 is a Drag Pak Challenge which he’ll drive in E/Stock Automatic this weekend. He’ll also race the Cobra Jet in SS/B Automatic.

Candies is proud of the new Mopar which he’s painted to resemble his father’s old 1970 Mopar Funny Car. Using the same gold leaf lettering made famous by the Candies and Hughes Brand, the Challenge is branded Candies Family Motorsports.

“We put a retro paint scheme on the car in honor or dad and what he’s done in drag racing,” Candies said.

Paul Candies will be present at this weekend’s event. The second-generation drag racer believes the new car will be a source of pride for his family.

“The photos of this car doesn’t do it justice,” Candies admits. “You have to see it in person, then you get the full effect of it. It’s a pretty neat car.”