Mopar and Dodge//SRT take the wraps off a new, fourth-generation version
of the factory-built, racetrack-only Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak car. The
Challenger is engineered for grassroots drag racers that compete in sportsman
classes in events sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and
National Muscle Car Association (NMCA).
Building on lessons learned with the third-generation Drag Pak, the new
fourth-generation Challenger Drag Pak offers racers the choice of buying a
complete, turnkey package ready for the track or a variety of modular kits to
install on their own Dodge Challenger drag car. Production of the new
Challenger Drag Pak will be limited to 50 serialized units. Ordering and
pricing details will be announced in the future.
Construction of the Challenger Drag Pak begins with a standard-width
Dodge Challenger Body-in-White (BIW) unibody built at the FCA Brampton Assembly
Plant in Brampton, Ontario. An SFI-specification welded rollcage, rated for
quarter-mile runs as fast as 7.50 seconds, is integrated into the body.
New for the fourth-generation Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, the Strange rear
axle assembly uses adjustable coilover shocks, four-link suspension with
wishbone and an anti-roll bar. Wheelie bars and a parachute mount are
integrated into the chassis and are standard.
Up front, a unique engine cross member lowers the center of gravity and
improves weight distribution. The front also includes specific Bilstein
double-adjustable struts.
The race-ready 2020 Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, powered by the
supercharged 354-cubic-inch Hemi engine, is fitted with a T400 three-speed
transmission with a Kwik-Shift manual shifter, lightweight driveshaft, front
and rear racing brakes, Racetech seats, Racepak Smartwire fully programmable
power distribution center and a new, exclusive Drag Pak lightweight wheel and
tire package.
Also new for 2020, the Drag Pak hood mimics the design of the Dodge Challenger
SRT Hellcat, with intake and heat extractors. Front and rear fascias use the
Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat design.
The Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak’s roots were firmly planted in the early
1960s with the factory production of Max Wedge package cars. In 1968, 426
HEMI-powered Dodge Dart and Plymouth Barracuda package cars were unleashed on
the strip. Those vehicles continue to compete in the Super Stock/A-HEMI (SS/AH)
class of NHRA Sportsman racing and the annual fan favorite Mopar HEMI
Challenge, held during the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in
Indianapolis, Indiana, since 2001.
In 2008, Mopar announced the first drag race, factory-prepped package cars in
40 years – the first V8 Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak. The 2009 program saw a
first-year sell out of all 100 factory-built vehicles.
The 2010 Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak program offered racers an available
6.4-liter Hemi engine. Then in 2011, Mopar introduced a race-ready V10 package
car, becoming the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to offer a
500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag package car.
The third-generation 2015 Challenger Drag Pak saw the introduction of the first
supercharged 354 Hemi as well as a naturally aspirated 426 Gen-III Hemi and was
capable of 8.0-second ETs out of the box.
Leah Pritchett captured the 2018 NHRA Factory Stock Showdown World
Championship, collected three wins and recorded the first official 7-second run
in the class with the third-generation Challenger Drag Pak. Geoff Turk drove
his Challenger Drag Pak to the 2018 NMCA Factory Super Cars World Championship
and also posted the first official 7-second run in the class.