Dodge Demon 170 vs. 900-HP Corvette Z06: The Ultimate Muscle Car Showdown

When it comes to drag racing, few matchups are as thrilling as the Dodge Demon 170 taking on a heavily modified C7 Corvette Z06. In this face-off, we see the world's most powerful series-production muscle car go head-to-head with a sports car that cranks out 900 wheel horsepower thanks to methanol injection and an E50 fuel blend. Both drivers are eager to answer the all-important question: who is the quarter-mile king?

The scene is set at the Ennis-based Texas Motorplex, and these two American icons are more similar than one might initially think. Both the Dodge Demon 170 and the C7-generation Corvette Z06 feature supercharged pushrod mills, setting them apart from the high-tech engines of competitors like the McLaren Artura and Ferrari 296 series. With rear-wheel drive layouts and eight-speed automatic transmissions, these cars might share some DNA, but their performance on the drag strip is where the real action unfolds.

C7 Corvette Z06

The 2017 Z06 in this showdown is not your standard Corvette. It runs on skinnies up front and wide drag radials in the rear, courtesy of its owner, Christian. The Z06's transaxle, coupled with its 6.2-liter supercharged engine via a rigid torque tube, makes for an incredibly efficient power delivery system. Weighing in at approximately 3,500 pounds (1,588 kilograms) in this racing setup, the car is significantly lighter than the Demon.

Dodge Demon 170

Demonology, the owner of the blue-painted muscle car, opted for stock Mickey Thompsons for the race. Unlike Christian, Demonology's Challenger SRT Demon 170 is driven with the driver’s seat only, shedding unnecessary weight. With a highly modified Torqueflite 8HP90 transmission based on ZF's design, this Demon boasts impressive credentials and carries a stock advertised weight of 4,280 pounds (1,941 kilograms).

Race 1: False Start

The drag race kicks off with a hiccup. Herman Young, piloting the Demon, jumps the start, leaving Christian and his Z06 playing catch-up. Despite this, the Corvette's incredible power and lightweight configuration make it a strong contender throughout the first round.

Race 2: Neck and Neck

In the second race, Christian gets the hit, showcasing the raw power of the Z06 as it leaves the Demon trailing in a cloud of dust. Both vehicles are pushed to their limits, but ultimately, it's the Corvette that takes this round, highlighting just how close these races can be.

Final Race: Spin Out

In the deciding race, Christian's Z06 encounters severe wheelspin right from the start, costing him precious time and traction. Even with extra-wide drag radials, the immense power of the Corvette's 900 horsepower engine proves too much for the tires to handle, costing him the victory.

Performance Metrics

As a refresher, the standard C7 Z06 covers the quarter mile in 10.95 seconds at a speed of 128 miles per hour (206 km/h). On the other hand, the newer C8 Z06 trims that time down to 10.6 seconds. The E85-fueled Challenger SRT Demon 170 shines even brighter, promising a quarter-mile time of 8.91 seconds at a blistering speed of 151.17 mph (243 km/h).

This showdown leaves an indelible mark on the drag racing community, showcasing the strengths and weaknesses of both legendary vehicles. While the Demon 170 and the 900-HP Z06 Corvette each have their unique appeal and power, it's the combination of driver skill and machine capability that make drag racing such an exhilarating sport.