If you bought a 6.1-liter Challenger Drag Pak and squirreled it away as a future collectible, I've got bad news. If you want a Drag Pak Challenger to actually RACE, I've got great news: Mother MoPar is shoe-horning its V-10 into the Challenger for race car drivers.

Those V-8-powered Drag Pak cars are no longer be the ultimate modern drag car, because the V-10 displaces 512 cubic inches (no word on the number of horses), and several packages are available to make the car anything from a build-it-yourself package ($85,512) to ready-to-roll (add $7,950).

The following is the official release, but it still leaves one big, lingering question: does this mean a V-10 will eventually be offered in a street Challenger?

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 1

Racers rejoice. Mopar® is dropping a V-10 into the iconic Dodge Challenger.

The new race-only V-10 powered rear-wheel drive 2011 Mopar
Challenger Drag Pak features an 8.4-liter 512 cubic-inch engine with a
2-speed automatic transmission. Mopar will showcase its new drag car
this evening at the Dodge Viper Owner's Invitational in Salt Lake City. The vehicle will then make its way to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas from Nov. 2-5, and the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in Orlando from Dec. 9-11.

"With the introduction of our new 2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak,
Mopar will be the only place to get a factory-built V-10-powered
race-ready drag car," said Pietro Gorlier,
President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group's service, parts and
customer-care brand. "Mopar's new Challenger Drag Pak is a race rocket
that will appeal to racers, collectors, dealers, and Dodge Viper
owners."

Based on the 2011 Dodge Challenger and finished in a Stock
Eliminator and Super Stock configuration, the 2011 Mopar Challenger
V-10 Drag Pak is the first and only 500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag-race
package car. The car features competition wheels and tires, a Mopar
solid rear axle with performance gear ratio, a 2-speed drag race
transmission with integrated roll control, a complete competition fuel
system with fuel cell, and a complete interior with gauge package.

The Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak features a Bright White paint
scheme with color options. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
(MSRP) is $85,512 and production begins early next year.

Mopar offers three options with this vehicle. First, the Competition
Package includes an eight-point roll cage, six-point safety harness and
a mesh window net (MSRP: $7,950, part number P5155820). Second, a Mopar logo body wrap (MSRP: $950, part number P5155892) and a range of body colors (MSRP: $6,800, part number P5155893). With the Competition Package, the car is ready to go down the drag strip.

Orders must be submitted using the Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak Application, which is available now at www.Mopar.com,
the Mopar Direct Connection Tech Line at 888-528-HEMI (4364), or a
local Dodge dealer. Customers should work with their local Dodge dealer
to submit their application.

2011 Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak Highlights