Tech & Auto
Why The NHRA Really Banned The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
By ALEX HEVESY
The Dodge SRT Demon was a street-legal drag car built by the company in 2018. While it was built to be legal, the National Hot Rod Association initially banned it.
The Demon features a supercharged 6.2L engine with a displacement of 2.7 liters that produces 840 horsepower when running on high-octane fuel.
It was made for the 1/4-mile drag strip and could complete it in 9.9 seconds. The Demon went from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds, as per the test by Car and Driver.
Its speed is what got the Demon banned from the competition. Until 2022, NHRA rules stated that cars faster than 10 seconds on the strip needed a roll cage to compete safely.
The Demon was not equipped with one from the factory. Dodge seemed unconcerned about safety when making the drag-racer.
The NHRA changed the rules. Now production cars newer than 2014 can test their mettle on the drag strip as long their time isn't any faster than nine seconds.