Racing Legend Griffith Takes Delivery of Dodge Challenger Drag Pak by Mopar
Veteran Super Stock racer Larry Griffith took delivery of the second Dodge Challenger Drag Pak by Mopar® on March 9 from Dennis Guest, dealer principal of the South Oak Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Matteson, Ill. Griffith's original award-winning 1968 Dodge Dart package car restored by Joe Hilger, former Chrysler Vice President of Global Service, was also on display at the delivery. In addition, the event marked the ramp up to full production of the Challenger Drag Pak for Chrysler LLC.
Super stock driver 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 it was retired from racing in 1972. In 2002, Hilger purchased a 1968 HEMI® Dart which just happened to be Griffith's original UDRA championship 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 and '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 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.
"Big Daddy" Don Garlits received the first Drag Pak vehicle and will compete in select NHRA divisional events, including the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.