C8 Corvette Z06 and Dodge Demon Drag and Roll Race Battle at Willow Springs Raceway

The Corvette Z06 is newer and much lighter than the Dodge Demon. But the Demon has much more power and was built for drag and roll racing.

The C8 Corvette Z06 is an incredible car. The LT6 engine in the Z06 is the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine ever fitted to a production road car. A distinction that it will likely hold forever with electric vehicles taking over the market. Around a road course the Z06 would dust the Dodge Demon. It would not even be a race. But what about in a drag and roll race? The whole reason the Demon exists is for that sort of racing. As impressive as the LT6 is, the Demon packs 170 more horsepower thanks to its supercharged Hemi V8. The car came from the factory with Nitto drag radials. And when it was released, it made headlines for being a 9 second car. Surely even a new Z06 will lose in a straight line, right?

Well, racing on paper is one thing. Racing in the real-world is another. And this is a real-world race held at Willow Springs Raceway in California. A video was recently posted on the Throttle House YouTube channel that shows what happens when these cars are pitted against each other. First is a standard drag race and that is followed by a roll race. Both races cover a full quarter mile. The results may surprise you. Or they may be exactly what you would expect. Either way it is entertaining to see these two entirely different automobiles battle it out.

Drag Race

The Z06 is quick but it was not built for drag racing. The Demon was. But the Demon is also lugging around an extra 846 pounds. That is like having three NFL offensive lineman coming along for the ride. And to make matters worse for the Dodge, all this extra weight is not sitting over the rear wheels, so traction becomes an issue. This is a non-prepped surface. And even warming the tires and dropping pressures will not allow the car to hook. So, the Z06 with its flat-plane crank LT6 engine obliterates the Dodge in the drag race. The Z06 crosses the line at least three car lengths ahead of the Demon. The race was fun to watch but not competitive.

Roll Race

OK, so without track prep the Demon can’t really use its power advantage. But in a roll race it is a different story. The Demon should be able to get on the power sooner and then pull away from the Chevy. Nope. The Z06 jumps ahead but the Demon does stay close. Very close. Then the Demon begins to flex its muscles and draw the Z06 back in. However, it is too little too late. The Corvette takes the win by a nose. If this race was a quarter mile and 20 feet the Dodge may have won, but it just could not close the gap enough in a quarter mile. That gives the Z06 two wins on the day and puts the Demon back on the trailer.

Thrilling Race

We are happy to see the Z06 take the win here. But if you are a true car person, you have to love the fact that the Demon exists. More and more EVs will begin to take over drag strips. And there is no doubt that they can be blindingly quick. However, they make speed in the most boring way possible. The Z06 and Demon thrill us with speed. But also, with a flat-plane crank screaming engine and a supercharger whine. And for that reason, both are winners. And so are we.

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Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the 1970s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.