A More deserving individaul would be hard to find.

Photos by David McCandless

It was a cool day during the first week of February, when Herb McCandless—a true ambassador for drag racing—was deservedly recognized and inducted into the North Carolina, Drag Racing Hall of fame. Herb started his racing career in 1965, when he became involved with Chrysler’s race program. In 1968, racing became so much a part of his life, that when his then full-time job at a printing company got in the way of racing, he quit—the job. He raced Hemi cars from 1965 until 1974. During the last four years of his career, he drove for venerable team of Sox & Martin, driving their Pro Stock car. In 1974, he started McCandless Performance, and did a lot of the W2 small block test work for Chrysler. He ran McCandless Performance for 22 years and was one of Chrysler’s largest Direct Connection and Mopar Performance dealers.

Herb has continued to involve himself with cars and racing, and is a figure at many racing, car show, and cruise night events across the country. Many times, you can find Herb just hangin’ out at an event, and talking about cars and racing. We’re even willing to bet that he will get—even in some small way—involved with his son’s racing endeavor as owner of Piedmont Dragway in Piedmont, North Carolina.

So from all of us at Mopar Muscle magazine, congratulations Herb, a more derserving individual couldn’t be found.—Randy Bolig