Well, things just got weird. While there is a part of us rejoicing over the fact that Mopar has enough life left in it to jam a 512ci V10 into the front of a 2011 Dodge Challenger and sell it as a factory drag race car, there is another part of us that wonders where this will run and what class it’ll be legal for. The photos seem to show the car packing a small slick, like stock eliminator small. We’re hoping that there is some consideration in the halls of the NHRA for the reintroduction of a Factor Experimental class for these special edition cars. 

Why? Well the Challenger ships with a Powerglide transmission, which last we checked is not on the docket for a Chrysler customer to option on their car. Also, because we’re not thinking that these cars really fit the spirit of stock eliminator. This car will be in the eight second zone with the Cobra Jets (although we think the Cobra Jets have plenty in the tank to walk these Drag Paks). The whispers about a Chevrolet entry into the fray of drag racing only offerings have grown louder and more frequent with the news that the Z/28 will have the blown LSA engine in them. Time will tell. 

So back to the cars. Mopar is marketing these to “NHRA Sportsman racers”, not specifically stock and super stock races, but we’re not sure where else the car would run and be competitive. The initial buy-in is $85,512 with a couple of options including the Competition Package which has the car 100% track ready at your door. Failing to opt for that, you’ll need to add a cage and other safety items to the 100% track legal.

Axle ratios are not named in the stories we have seen, and we’ll be interested to see what they are. With a ‘Glide and a power peak of about 6100RPM, the rear gear will have to be pretty deep to keep the motor from winding itself into knots at the top end of the track.

We’re not bitching about a factory drag race car, that is 100% cool in our book. We’re just very interested to see where they are going to show up at. The good news is that the car will be at SEMA and we’ll be at SEMA with a list of questions for the Mopar dudes about the intentions or vision they have for this hot rod. 

Hey Mopar guys, how about we get a test lap or two? 

Here are some links with more info on the car:

2011 V10 Drag Pak Challenger Highlights

Details on the 2011 V10 Drag Pak Challenger