The second Challenger built for the strip is now in the hands of the veteran Mopar drag racer who'll campaign it in NHRA's Stock/Super Stock classes.
Veteran Super Stock racer Larry Griffith took delivery of the second Dodge Challenger Drag Pak by Mopar® yesterday. Griffith’s original award-winning 1968 Dodge Dart package car restored by former Chrysler executive, Vice President of Global Sales, Joseph Hilger, was also on display at the delivery. In addition, this event marked the ramp up to full production for the Challenger Drag Pak for Chrysler LLC.
Super Stock racer Griffith raced the 1968 Dart predominately in the Midwest UDRA (United Drag Racers Association) circuit, and it soon became an award-winner. Griffith sold the vehicle in 1970 and the vehicle was retired from racing in 1972. In 2002, Hilger purchased 1968 HEMI® Dart which just happened to be Griffith’s original UDRA champion vehicle. Hilger contacted Griffith in 2006 and the two men worked to restore the vehicle to its original 1968 glory.
Re-birthed in 2008, the Dodge Challenger Drag Pak is the "first" drag-race-only factory package car to be built in 40 years, since the 1968 HEMI Dart/’Cuda vehicles. It was built for sanctioned NHRA Stock, Super Stock and Comp Eliminator drag racing.
The Dodge Challenger Drag Pak by Mopar is based on the Challenger SRT8® and finished in Stock Eliminator configuration. Mopar reduced vehicle weight by approximately 1,000 pounds versus the production Challenger SRT8 by eliminating selected production components and systems.
To accentuate weight savings, the Challenger Drag Pak features unique drag-race components including: composite lift-off hood with functional scoop, Viper-style front seats, polycarbonate door windows, lightweight cooling module with electric fan, manual rack-and-pinion steering, special cable-operated deck lid release, special lightweight front brake assemblies and special cable-operated throttle linkage and pedal assembly. Mopar will build a minimum of 100 Challenger Drag Race Package Cars to meet NHRA requirements.
Individuals looking to get their hands on one of their own Dodge Challenger Drag Pak’s might have to wait, because the 2009 model is already sold out.