At the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a modern American muscle showdown unfolded that reminded fans why high-octane drag racing remains timeless. A Chrysler 300 SRT8 lined up against not one, but three Dodge Hellcats—each one faster and wilder than the last.
The Chrysler 300 SRT8, often the understated cousin in the Mopar performance family, showed it could still bring excitement to the track. In the first matchup, the Chrysler launched hard off the line, but the Hellcat’s supercharged might eventually took the win, finishing the quarter mile in 11.62 seconds compared to the 300’s 12.52.
Round two turned up the heat. Another Challenger Hellcat clocked in at 11.17 seconds while the Chrysler improved slightly, crossing the line in 12.34. The third and final race paired the 300 SRT8 against a bright green Hellcat known as “The Grinch,” and this one lived up to its name. “The Grinch” stormed through the lights with a blistering 9.13-second pass, while the Chrysler managed a respectable 12.27-second run.
The Hellcats’ dominance came as no surprise. The lineup’s legendary 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 delivers staggering output—717 horsepower in the base model, 797 in the Redeye, and 807 in the Super Stock. The ultimate version, the 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170, pushed performance to an almost unbelievable 1,025 horsepower when running on E85 fuel.
By contrast, the second-generation Chrysler 300 SRT8 relied on its naturally aspirated 6.4-liter V8, producing 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque—more than enough for serious fun but outgunned by Dodge’s supercharged monsters.
Still, the event showcased what makes muscle car culture thrive: the thrill of acceleration, the sound of V8s under pressure, and the enduring appeal of Detroit-built horsepower. Even when outmatched, the Chrysler 300 SRT8 reminded everyone that attitude counts just as much as raw numbers.
