The Dodge Charger Drag Pak, officially the Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak by Direct Connection, looks like a showroom Charger but is purpose-built for the quarter mile.
At its heart sits a supercharged 354-cubic-inch Hemi V8 tuned for launch and top-end stability.
Dodge claims the package will run the 440-yard sprint in under eight seconds, a performance figure that places it among the fastest Dodge cars in recent memory.
The combination of old-school displacement and modern engineering gives racers instant throttle response and sustained power down the strip.
Weight savings and race-ready engineering
Drag performance depends on power-to-weight just as much as raw horsepower. Dodge trimmed mass across the car: the V8 now uses an aluminum block and pistons, and the supercharger benefits from a billet belt tensioner designed for extreme loads.
Carbon components—doors, bonnet, and hatch—cut roughly 45 kilograms (about 100 lbs) compared with the previous Challenger Drag Pak. Dodge also reduced static and rotating masses where possible and upgraded suspension, axles, and driveshafts to handle aggressive launches.
Optional lightweight packages for serious racers
For owners who chase every tenth of a second, Dodge offers a suite of options. The Lightweight Engine Component Package further lowers mass, while the Racetech Lightweight Carbon Seat Kit and Driveline Lightweight Package (including a carbon driveshaft) trim rotating weight to improve spool-up and consistency.
These options give customers a tailored racing platform — from weekend bracket events to highly competitive Factory Stock Showdown entries.
Customization, colors, and data
Personality matters. Dodge offers the Charger Drag Pak in 18 exterior colors, including heritage hues like Plum Crazy, Sublime, and Go Mango. Three graphics packages let buyers style their car for show or sponsor-ready race liveries.
Racers can also add a rear anti-roll bar and an optional Data Package for improved telemetry and tuning feedback — critical for repeatable performance at the strip.
Built for NHRA, limited to 50 units
The Charger Drag Pak is an NHRA-certified race car, equipped with a wheelie bar, parachute system, and a certified roll cage. Production is strictly limited to 50 units, each hand-built by Riley Technologies in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Dodge is reinforcing the racing program by backing the platform in competition: the brand will award $26,000 to the winner of the Factory Stock Showdown at the 2026 NHRA Gatornationals.
Price, availability, and collector appeal
The Charger Drag Pak carries a premium: pricing starts at $234,995 (approx. £175,000) excluding taxes. Allocations opened on a first-come, first-served basis, and with only 50 cars planned, demand is likely to exceed supply.
This package targets committed racers and collectors who value factory support, race-ready hardware, and a last-of-its-kind V8 experience as the industry moves toward electrification.
Why the Charger Drag Pak matters
In a market rapidly shifting to electric powertrains, the Dodge Charger Drag Pak is a deliberate celebration of V8 culture and grassroots racing. It gives enthusiasts a factory-backed, turnkey race car with modern engineering and a nod to muscle-car heritage.
For Dodge, it's also strategic: offering a high-profile, limited-run V8 racer preserves brand DNA while the company invests in EVs for the broader market.
Final thoughts
The Dodge Charger Drag Pak is a high-cost, high-commitment machine — but for the right buyer, it's priceless. Hand-built engineering, NHRA credentials, and race-ready options make it one of the most compelling factory drag cars in recent years. If this is one of the last great factory V8 dragsters, Dodge made sure it goes out with a roar.
Related: Explore more American muscle cars and discover the 1968 Dodge Charger Hellucination with 1,000hp.
