When the latest generation of the Dodge Charger was introduced back in late 2022, there was a brief mention of the future Drag Pak program. The modern Drag Pak has always been built on a Dodge Challenger platform, but with no Challenger in the lineup, the company developed a drag race-ready version of the new Dodge Charger instead – and it packs supercharged Hemi V8 power.
Meet the 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak by Direct Connection, the first race car designed and engineered by the newly reincarnated Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division.
“The Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak is mission-engineered to equip our FSS drivers with an upgraded, championship-winning, supercharged HEMI race engine wrapped in a next-level race car incarnation of the all-new Dodge Charger,” said Kevin Kidd, motorsports competition director for Stellantis American Brands. “The Challenger Drag Pak’s swan song was back-to-back NHRA Factory Stock Showdown crowns, and this first-ever Charger Drag Pak is purpose-designed to extend Dodge’s legacy of drag strip domination.”
This car is packed full of high performance components, but for many hardcore Mopar fans, all that really matters is what is under the hood. This Dodge Charger Drag Pak is powered by a Whipple-supercharged, 354-cubic inch Hemi V8 similar to the one propels the final Dodge Challenger Drag Pak racers into the 7-second range, and that blown Hemi looks pretty comfortable in the new Charger chassis. From what we can see from this one engine bay picture, it sure looks like a production Hemi would fit nicely in the engine bay, but that is a discussion for a different day.
At first glance, the supercharged 354 Hemi looks just like its predecessor, but it has a variety of upgrades over the Dodge Challenger Drag Pak engine. The Dodge Charger Drag Pak Hemi comes with a newly-designed cast-aluminum Gen III Hemi engine block, a new forged-steel crankshaft, new high-performance forged H-beam connecting rods, new lightweight billet belt tensioner, and diamond aluminum pistons. The new Hemi race engine is still topped by a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger. We will list the rest of the mechanical details at the end of this piece, because the list is extensive.
Click here to hear the Hemi-powered Drag Pak in action on the track.
Next up, we have the “Hustle Stuff” portion of the name. In the 1970s, the Mopar Hustle Stuff catalog allowed racers to buy lightweight components. This 2026 Dodge Charger Drag Pak has an array of weight-saving upgrades, too, including a lightweight front fascia, hood, doors and rear hatch, all made from carbon fiber. When coupled with the light K-member and structural bumper components, along with all of the normal lightweight items that you would expect from a track-ready drag car, the new 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak by Direct Connection weighs about a hundred pounds less than the previous Dodge Challenger Drag Pak.
The 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak by Direct Connection will be available in a total of 19 colors, including White Knuckle, B5 Blue, Frostbite, Go Mango, Plum Crazy, Sinamon Stick and Sublime. There will also be three optional graphics packages, including the Hustle Stuff Direct Connection layout in red, white and blue shown here.
On the inside, the new Dodge Charger Drag Pak has a dashboard area and door panels that are similar to the production road car, but since this is a competition race car, it lacks the normal creature comforts of any Charger road car. The most prominent feature of the cabin is the extensive safety cage system, designed to keep the driver safe at the speeds that come with 7-second quarter mile times.
There will be just 50 examples of the 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak by Direct Connection and they will all be built in Mooresville, North Carolina by legendary race car builder Riley Technologies. The price for buying a turnkey Dodge Charger that is built to run in the NHRA FSS class? $234,995 (excluding taxes and fees). If you have that kind of money and you want to own one of these next generation, Hemi-powered Dodge Charger race cars, email support@dcperformance.com to be added to the waiting list.
For those who do plan to go racing, Dodge is offering some extra cash for the driver who brings home the first class win in this new Charger Drag Pak – $26,000 to be exact.
“Dodge is also giving NHRA Sportsman racers 26,000 reasons to earn the first NHRA Factory Stock Showdown event win in the all-new Drag Pak. As part of the NHRA Contingency program, Dodge will reward the racer who captures the first victory in the 2026 Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak with an unprecedented $26,000 payday — the highest payout ever offered under the contingency program.”
Here are the full mechanical details for the 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak by Direct Connection:
Engine:
-Whipple 3.0L twin-screw supercharger
-Newly designed cast aluminum GEN III HEMI engine block includes select six-bolt main
metal caps for added strength
-All-new race forged-steel eight-counterweight crankshaft
-All-new high-performance forged H-beam connecting rods
-New high-performance, lightweight billet belt tensioner
-Diamond aluminum pistons
-Mopar spec camshaft with 0.675-inch lift
-Jesel solid roller lifters and rocker arms
-Billet aluminum, 109mm throttle body
-Stainless-steel long-tube headers
-Holley EFI lightweight Dominator ECU
-Racepak Smartwire power module, 6.86-inch display, V300SD data logger
-Wet sump oil pump, fabricated aluminum pan, C&R lightweight radiator and cooling fan, electric water pump
Transmission
-Coan Racing XLT three-speed automatic transmission with internal accumulator and lightweight 300M internals
-Coan Racing 9.65-inch (245mm), high-performance, bolt-together torque converter
-CNC machined billet aluminum stator and billet aluminum cover
-Cast deep aluminum pan, Reid SFI case and GEN III HEMI bellhousing
-M&M aluminum three-speed safe neutral shifter
Suspension
-All-new rear suspension geometry for improved performance
-Four-link adjustable rear suspension with diagonal link
-Custom Drag Pak double-adjustable coilover shocks
-Adjustable anti-roll bar with spherical ends and adjustable ride height rear spring perches
-Front suspension features lightweight race designed front knuckles
-Adjustable camber shims and toe links
-Lightweight wheel bearing assemblies
-Aluminum upper and lower control arms with steel spherical bearings
-Lightweight front suspension K-member with integrated engine mounts
Wheels/Tires
-WELD Racing lightweight forged-aluminum 17-by-4.5-inch front wheels, WELD Racing
Double Beadlock, lightweight forged-aluminum 15-by-11-inch rear wheels
-Mickey Thompson ET Front 27.5 X 4.0-17 front tires, Mickey Thompson ET Drag Pro Drag Radial 30.0 x 9.0 R15 rear tires
Gears/Axles/Driveshaft
-Mark Williams Enterprises modular 9-inch custom Drag Pak axle
-9-inch aluminum center section
-40-spline superlight gun-drilled and pocketed axles
-Micro polished and lightened ring and pinion for reduced rotating weight, delivering a 4.30:1 final drive ratio
-Lightweight 4-inch diameter 7075 aluminum driveshaft, 0.125-inch wall thickness
Brakes/Pedals
-Mark Williams Enterprises quick change four-piston, aluminum brake calipers with machined lightweight billet pistons
-Mark Williams Enterprises lightweight cross-drilled rotors and CNC machined aircraft alloy aluminum brake hats with slot-drive rotor attachment system
-Lightweight racing overhung throttle pedal and mounting system
-Tilton aluminum brake pedal, balance bar and master cylinders
-Line lock and brake pressure switch
Fuel System/Steering
-ATL SFI-certified drag race fuel cell
-Aeromotive brushless racing pump with dual inline filter
-Flaming River 15:1 ratio manual steering rack
Options/Packages
-18 exterior color options and three wrap/graphic options
-Lightweight Engine Component Package includes Blackbird performance front cover and external oil pump kit
-Rear anti-roll bar provides a softer rate bar, droplinks and arm kit
-Available Data Package includes Holley V300SD logger, suspension travel sensors, O2 sensors, transmission temp, transmission pressure
-Racetech Lightweight Carbon Seat Kit achieves an estimated 20 lbs. in weight savings
-Driveline Lightweight Package includes a carbon driveshaft, transmission sump pan, aluminum rear axle yoke to achieve an estimated 7 lbs. weight savings
Patrick Rall is a professional writer and photographer with a passion for all things automotive. Having grown up in his father’s performance shop, he spent extensive time at the oval track and drag strip – both driving and wrenching on various types of vehicles. In addition to working as a writer, Patrick previously worked as an automotive technician before moving on to a business office position with a chain of dealerships, and this broad spectrum of experience in the industry allows him to offer a unique look on the automotive world. Follow Patrick on Twitter, Facebook and on Youtube.
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