Thanks to our man Zane McNary, with LandSpeedPhotos.com, we have killer shots of Danny Thompson’s Challenger II during testing runs at El Mirage earlier this week. Danny has spent every ounce of energy and money he’s got to fulfill his, and his father Mickey’s, lifelong dream of putting the Challenger II on top of the world in Land Speed Racing. Danny is as passionate as they come, and to see this twin Hemi powered, nitro huffing machine in action is truly spectacular. There are only a few months left until Speed Week at Bonneville, and we’re getting more and more excited about seeing the Mickey Thompson Challenger II on the salt.

Danny has said from the beginning, that this project, and the 450 mph record they are attempting to achieve, are about finishing his fathers business. It’s about fulfilling a promise. It’s about making those runs, and finishing the father son project, that was tragically cut short right when it started in 1988. Mickey died in March of 1988, when he and his wife were tragically murdered at their home.

If Danny Thompson can do what he has set for himself, with the Challenger II, he can forever wipe away the tragic memory of a father and son racing dream that was cut short by violence. We are absolutely sure that the very first run down the salt at Bonneville will be an emotional one for Danny. If the team finds the success they are after, and can run 450 mph to claim the all time piston driven record, the top end of the race course at Bonneville will likely see emotions unlike any before.

Check out a couple of Zane McNary’s great photos below, and then click the big red button to see even more.

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