In stock form, a 2017 Camaro SS would destroy a 2012 Dodge Challenger R/T, but neither of these cars are anywhere close to stock. The Camaro has long tube headers, no catalytic converters, a full exhaust system, a nitrous setup and a tune. Meanwhile, the Challenger has headers, a cam, a supercharger and a tune. But would all of those modifications change the outcome when compared to the stock race?
Not so much.
After a walkaround of the Camaro and the Challenger, the two take to the streets to see which modified muscle car is quicker from a roll. With the camera in the Camaro, the two cars make runs from 25 and 40 miles per hour. In both of those races, the Chevy comfortably walks away from the Challenger. On the third run, the Camaro driver turns on the nitrous system, allowing him to beat the Challenger much worse. On the last run of the video, the Chevy driver gives the Challenger the hit, allowing the Dodge to have a bit of a lead to start the race, but it doesn’t matter, as the bottled LT1 in a lighter car is just too much for the blown Hemi and the heavier car.
So, while this video doesn’t hold many surprises, it is a fine example of how badly a bottled and tuned 6g Camaro SS will pummel a 5.7L Dodge Challenger, even with a supercharger.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
