Few know the HEMI Challenge better than Herb McCandless. Even fewer have more experience with the Chrysler Hemi combination than the Sox & Martin.

Mike McCandless, the youngest of his three sons, grew up in a household where this popular car combination is revered. He learned early how Sox & Martin, as well as the

This understanding is why when Dodge opted out of the Hemi Challenge sponsorship in 2024, McCandless knew he needed to do something. He knew it would be the perfect opportunity to bring together three of the more synonymous names in Chrysler drag racing history.

McCandless had just purchased the rights to the Sox & Martin brand, and with his family’s car collection, couldn’t think of a better place to bring awareness from all the entities. It became a no-brainer for McCandless to bring his two brands together with the most iconic of all specialty events - the Hemi Challenge held annually at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

“While my dad was a successful independent racer during the 1960s, being hired by Buddy Martin full-time in 1970 changed his life," McCandless said. "I believe that laid the groundwork for the future that my dad had in drag racing. What started as a fabrication shop in the early 1970s, ultimately became McCandless Performance. 

"Dad has dedicated his entire life to drag racing and the car culture. At 80 years old, he works every single day in his shop. It’s not too uncommon for me to walk in and see him upside down under the dash of a car working on a wiring harness. I hope by bringing the Sox & Martin name back to the relevance it once had, it will open up more opportunities for my dad. He loves sharing his knowledge and helping others. One of the few people that has done a singular thing his entire life, work on cars and spread his wealth of knowledge among the Mopar community.”

The Sox & Martin NHRA HEMI Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection is scheduled for Friday, August 30, 2024, at Indianapolis Raceway Park during the running of the 70TH annual NHRA US Nationals. The Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge presented by the McCandless collection is open to all NHRA SS/AH competitors and will require one Grade Point from a Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event or National Open before entering the NHRA US Nationals to compete in the HEMI Challenge.

Each year for the HEMI Challenge, the elder McCandless has taken a color commentary role for the race-within-a-race. He'll continue the role he's held for two decades and will once again be in the pits talking to racers and swapping stories.

Buddy Martin will serve as the Grand Marshal and Honorary Starter.

“If it wasn’t for Sox & Martin, there’d be no HEMI Challenge, no McCandless Collection, or even a Herb McCandless," said Herb McCandless, who is the 1970 NHRA US Nationals Pro Stock champion. "Not only did Buddy Martin have a positive impact in drag racing, but also in my racing career. When Buddy hired me to drive the team’s second Pro Stocker in 1970, it changed my life forever.

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“The annual HEMI Challenge is an event I look forward to every year and I’ve attended around 20 of them at Indy. Despite being the same basic engine and vehicle package we ran way back then, it’s mind-boggling to see how fast these 1968 HEMI Barracudas and Darts are going now. The technology and refinement the racers have put into their cars is impressive and this year’s event will be extra special as it’s the 60th anniversary of the 426 HEMI. I’m very proud of my son Mike (McCandless) in getting Sox & Martin and the McCandless Collection as the sponsor of the NHRA HEMI Challenge."

McCandless said preserving history is what inspired him to first purchase the trademark to the Sox & Martin brand and promoting the brand through the HEMI Challenge go hand and hand.

“I have two goals, one philanthropic and one personal," McCandless said of his goals with the sponsorship. "The McCandless Collection supports a host of causes, including vocational programs at our local technical college. The hope is that there is enough commercial success with Sox & Martin licensing to help fund the programs at the many universities and schools. 

"Vocational trades are a dying art, but if we can eliminate some of the barriers for students to become skilled tradesmen, I’m all for that. The personal goal, watch my dad have fun. It’s my ‘thank you’ to him. His hard work and determination allowed me to go to college and pursue interests outside of the family business. I’ve been fortunate in my business life, and this is my way of repaying that debt. Watching Dad get opportunities on TV programs, doing interviews, and interacting with the fans, there is no better “ROI” than that.”