Sooo Dodge Built A Charger With a Hemi V8 Under the Hood
Limited to 50 units, the 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak packs a supercharged Hemi V8, carbon-fiber bodywork, and NHRA certification for sub-eight-second quarter miles.
The Return of the Hemi—But Only for Racers
After months of speculation about whether the new Dodge Charger would ever see a V8, the answer has arrived, but with a twist. The 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak brings back the Hemi nameplate, though this version is strictly track-only. Built in collaboration with Riley Technologies in Mooresville, North Carolina, only 50 examples will be produced at a starting price of $234,995. Each car is certified by the NHRA for Factory Stock Showdown competition, meaning it’s a full-fledged race car rather than a street-legal muscle machine.
Powering the Beast: A Supercharged 5.8-Liter Hemi
At the heart of the Hustle Stuff Drag Pak is a 354-cubic-inch (5.8-liter) Gen III Hemi V8, topped with a Whipple 3.0-liter twin-screw supercharger. The aluminum-block engine is packed with racing-grade hardware: H-beam connecting rods, Diamond aluminum pistons, and a forged crankshaft designed to handle extreme loads. Dodge also fitted a lightweight billet supercharger tensioner to reduce parasitic losses.
While Dodge hasn’t released an official power figure, this configuration is derived from the same setup that helped the Challenger Drag Pak set a 7.6-second record in NHRA Factory Stock Showdown competition.
Transmission, Driveline, and Rear Setup
Power is routed through a Coan Racing XLT three-speed automatic with a high-performance torque converter, sending drive to a Mark Williams Enterprises 9-inch rear axle with a 4.30:1 final drive ratio. Dodge re-engineered the Charger’s rear suspension geometry with a strengthened four-link setup, adjustable coilovers, and new anti-roll bars for optimal launch consistency.
Optional performance packages cater to serious competitors, including a Lightweight Engine Component Package with a Blackbird front cover and external oil pump kit, and a Driveline Lightweight Kit that includes a carbon driveshaft and trims an additional 7 pounds.
Carbon Bodywork and Weight Reduction
The Hustle Stuff Drag Pak shares the latest Charger’s styling but replaces much of its body with carbon-fiber components, including the hood, doors, front fascia, and hatch. These panels collectively shed about 100 pounds compared to the outgoing Challenger Drag Pak.
Additional attention to detail extends underneath: Weld Racing wheels paired with Mickey Thompson tires complete the strip-ready look. The 17-inch front wheels measure just 4.5 inches wide for reduced rolling resistance, while the 15x11-inch rears provide maximum traction. Other racing necessities include a line lock system for tire warm-ups, a wheelie bar with Frazog logo, and a parachute to safely slow the car after sub-eight-second runs.
Inside the Roll Cage
Despite its purpose-built nature, the interior still hints at its Charger origins. It retains the production dashboard and door panels but swaps in Sabelt SFI-certified racing seats, five-point harnesses, and an NHRA-certified 25.5/7.50 ET chromoly roll cage. The cockpit also includes Pro-Comp analog gauges, a quick-release steering wheel, and optional data-logging equipment for post-run analysis. The inclusion of carpet might seem surprising, but it provides a small touch of civility amid the racing hardware.
Heritage and Naming
The “Hustle Stuff” moniker pays tribute to Mopar’s 1970s performance parts catalog, which offered tuning components and race-prep advice to amateur drag racers. Dodge’s decision to revive the name aligns with the Drag Pak’s role as a grassroots NHRA contender, bridging modern technology with vintage performance culture.
The project also marks the first race car developed under Dodge’s restructured SRT division, now part of the Direct Connection performance arm.
Limited Production and Options
Each Hustle Stuff Drag Pak will be hand-built and painted in Knuckle White by default, with 18 optional color choices including Plum Crazy, Go Mango, Sublime, and Frostbite. Buyers can also select from three graphics packages, ranging from subtle striping to full competition liveries.
Dodge’s optional Data Package adds a full suite of performance telemetry tools, while the Racetech Lightweight Carbon Seat Kit trims roughly 20 pounds. For racers targeting national events, Dodge is offering a $26,000 bonus to the first Drag Pak owner to claim an NHRA Factory Stock Showdown victory.
Competition Debut and Public Reveal
The Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak will make its public debut at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, appearing alongside a Mopar-modified Sixpack Charger concept. Its first race outing is slated for the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, scheduled for March 5–8, 2026.
While enthusiasts continue to hope for a street-legal V8 Charger, Dodge’s latest creation proves the brand isn’t done building fire-breathing Hemi machines, just not the kind you can park in your driveway.