Racing champion picks up second Challenger Drag Pak

Posted on March 11th, 2009 • by Bill Cawthon

Larry Griffith, who piloted a 426 HEMI-powered Super Stock Dodge Dart to the United Drag Racers Association championship in 1968, 1969 and 1970, took delivery of the second Dodge Challenger Drag Pak on Monday, March 9 at South Oak Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Matteson, Illinois. On hand for the delivery were Griffith’s original 1968 Dart and Joe Hilger, former v-p of Global Service for Chrysler, who restored the Dart to its original condition. Dennis Guest, dealer principal of South Oak Dodge Chrysler Jeep, made the new vehicle delivery.

The first of the Challenger Drag Paks was purchased by drag racing legend Don “Big Daddy” Garlits who plans to use it in NRHA Division 2 this year as he celebrates his 60th year in drag racing.

Developed in 2008, Dodge says the Challenger Drag Pak from Mopar is the first drag-racing-only factory package car built in the past 40 years and is a descendant of the 1968 HEMI-powered A-body Dart and Barracudas. Not equipped for street use, the Challenger Drag Pak is purpose-built for sanctioned NHRA stock, super stock and comp eliminator drag racing.

The Challenger Drag Pak is based on the Challenger SRT8 and is finished in stock eliminator configuration. Mopar reduced vehicle weight by approximately 1,000 pounds and added a 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 but if you haven’t got your name on one already; you’re out of luck. Chrysler says the entire 2009 run has been sold.