Viva, Viva Las Vegas

Filled with automotive passion, high energy and high-performance Mopar_® vehicles!

SEMA stands for the Specialty Equipment Market Association and it’s the organization that ties together everything in the automotive aftermarket performance industry. After four dynamic days at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the annual SEMA Show that took place for 2025 was a mega hit! With its 1.2 million square feet of overall exhibit space, it can be a serious adventure to make your way through the various halls and parking lot displays. SEMA stated that this 2025 event had some 2,300 exhibiting brands, which included 500 first-time exhibitors. In order to see the things that most interest you, it takes focus and smart planning. It’s truly the place to be!

SOUTH HALL LOWER

The Las Vegas Convention Center is a massive complex and can be a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors, because with so much “glitz and glitter” everywhere you look, it becomes very evident that one can lose focus, but in a good way. Where to start with so much to see and absorb is the reality; however, for the Mopar faithful, there’s no question the absolute best place to start is the Mopar / Direct Connection exhibit area. The Mopar headquarters is located inside the lower portion of the South Hall, and after a walk through the tire and wheel area, it’s like the clouds open up and the shines of all things Mopar, Dodge, Ram, Jeep_® and Direct Connection happen!

2026 HUSTLE STUFF DRAG PAK CHARGER

It was in the Mopar exhibit area where Dodge launches its first Dodge Charger Drag Pak: the all-new 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak by Direct Connection. The brand’s newest purpose-built racecar unites SRT^® race HEMI^® engine power with a drag-race-ready version of the new Dodge Charger. The Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak is constructed with select carbon-fiber components, creating a new racecar that is 100 lbs. lighter than the previous Challenger Drag Pak. The new drag package car is powered by a championship-proven supercharged 354-cubic-inch HEMI V8 engine and is turnkey capable of sub-eight-second elapsed times. These engine upgrades include a new GEN III aluminum HEMI engine block, all-new H-beam connecting rods, Diamond aluminum pistons, forged-steel eight-counterweight crankshaft and new high-performance lightweight billet supercharger belt tensioner.

Only 50 serialized units of the 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak will be built. The limited-production drag car is engineered for grassroots NHRA Sportsman drag racers, with each of the 50 racecars NHRA-approved for Factory Stock Showdown (FSS) competition. And SEMA was where it could be seen!

LEAH CELEBRATES HUSTLE STUFF!

Leah Pruett was in the house and participated in group discussions all about the current Dodge, Direct Connection and Hustle Stuff scene, and she shared about her career and Top Fuel experiences. With the “Badassadors” on hand, as well as the enthusiasts from Mopar Heaven, it was a lively conversation with plenty to talk about. It’s all about the vibrant Mopar community!

CRATE ENGINE SELECTION

Be it HEMI or Hurricrate, there’s a variety of Direct Connection engines that are available, proven performance winners and with clear advantages of being factory produced. Upgraded power for classic muscle is a popular home for these, plus with the relaunch of the Hellephant (A30) and Drag Pak crate engines, the available ECU Kits, it’s the authentic way to go. Add in Hurricrate applications, it’s a complete powerplant lineup!

STRYKER SIX PACK CHARGER

Presented in vivid Stryker Purple exterior hue, out front of the Mopar area was a “Moparized” Dodge SIXPACK Charger concept that the factory designers and engineers set out to build upon the continuing evolution of this modern muscle car, doing so by adding a wide array of exterior performance and interior upgrades. SIXPACK is complemented with satin carbon-fiber accents. Lightweight carbon-fiber components, including the hood, front splitter and rear decklid spoiler, enhanced airflow and downforce for real-world performance gains. Concept vented fenders add to the improved aero performance by releasing air pressure from inside the wheel wells. 

The Dodge SIXPACK Charger concept is powered by the 550-horsepower 3.0-liter Twin Turbo SIXPACK HO engine. Performance upgrades include a custom Mopar cold-air intake and cat-back, stainless-steel, dual exhaust system. New custom five-spoke, 21-by-11-inch Brass Monkey wheels and custom orange Brembo brake calipers, front and rear, add a distinct visual design element to the SIXPACK Charger concept. 

Accentuating the sculpted, crisp lines of the SIXPACK’s carbon rear spoiler, marketing and product specialist Vanessa Reyes was there to promote the latest Dodge, Direct Connection and Hustle Stuff concept vehicles and equipment. This is an exciting place to see the latest Mopar vehicles, parts, pieces, people and displays!

2026 NASCAR RAM TRUCK RACING

The 2026 NASCAR season will be an exciting one for Mopar fans as there will be five factory-backed teams from Kaulig Racing with Ram Trucks in the Craftsman Truck Series. Visitors to the Mopar exhibit were able to get a first view of one of them, and it generated a great deal of interest!

MOVERS & SHAKERS!

Nitro racer Matt Hagen (Mopar Funny Car), Vanessa Reyes from Direct Connection and Top Fuel driver Ida Zetterström!

The new 2026 Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak was the center of attention at the Direct Connection portion of the Mopar exhibit, and here’s Direct Connection’s Senior Account Director Chuck Spieser (center) explaining the details of the new drag car from Mother Mopar to ace race fabricator Jason Kastner (left) and drag racer Morgan Evans.

MORGAN EVANS

Her normal ride is a vintage 1987 Dodge Ram D150 (powered by a custom single-turbo Hurricane engine swap) which she’s been very successful with. However, it was clear that Morgan Evans was rather attracted to the more powerful 354-cid Whipple supercharged (3.0L) new Drag Pak Charger! A factory turn-key drag car capable of 7-second times in excess of 170 mph in the 1/4-mile, it’s an impressive car with plenty of pure racecar ingredients. She had the opportunity to climb in it at the show and visualize running it down the track. She’s addicted to speed and in a Mopar!

DIRECT CONNECTION COMPONENTS

Numerous Direct Connection components were displayed, be it the SRT Demon 170 3.0L supercharger, long-tube headers, Redeye differential assembly, Redeye driveshaft, Redeye cylinder heads and kits, plus SRT Hellcat 707 exhaust systems.

THE DUDE RAM 1500 CONCEPT

This Sublime Green Ram concept “Dude” is an eye-catching rig that is based on a Ram 1500 Big Horn, with the flavor that calls back to the original The Dude Sport Trim Package from 1970, of which only about 2,000 units were produced.

Featuring a throwback design that is based on C-stripes in contrasting satin black, running the full length of the truck, it’s an attention-grabber with a flashback to a nostalgic styling theme. Adding to the color contrast are black exterior features, with satin black 22-by-10-inch wheels. Power comes from a 5.7L HEMI engine with 395 horsepower aided by a Mopar cold air intake. A custom front splitter and side sills accent the lowered stance. Adding to the performance look, side-exit exhausts with black tips empty out in front of the rear wheels on both sides. 

JEEP PERFORMANCE PARTS

“4xe Blueprint Concept”

Carrying more than 35 Jeep accessories, this one is a rolling catalog of factory-tested and factory-backed Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts (JPP). Known as the 4xe Blueprint Concept, the stance is dictated by its 2-inch suspension lift and 37-inch KO3 BFG All-Terrain Tires. For getting through the toughest of situations, including even if submerged in water, it’s equipped with the Jeep Snorkel Kit. The general idea is to showcase the multitude of different combinations of accessories, to suit any off-road enthusiast preference.

“J6 Honcho Concept”

This vehicle is a four-door Rubicon, customized into a two-door truck configuration, maximizing cargo space (six-foot box). Mixing the classic late-1970s Jeep Honcho theme with a current production Jeep vehicle, the J6 Honcho Concept incorporates a unique configuration all in a 118.4-inch wheelbase.

“Gladiator High Top Concept”

With unique heritage-inspired graphics, this concept features Dana 60 F&R axles (5.38:1 gearing), adjustable air suspension, custom-painted steel wheels on 40-inch rubber and a bed roll bar.

“Rewind Concept”

A throwback to the size of the 1940s wartime Jeep Willys (MB), Rewind is a nostalgic take on all things ’80s and ’90s. The general idea that the Jeep brand designers had was a reimagined, simplified Wrangler that takes you back to a timeframe when neon colors were the rage!

MOPAR MERCHANDISE

Walking through the huge floor plan of the exhibit, there were display cases highlighting the latest assortment of available Mopar-branded wearables, keychains, mugs and glassware. Each year, the annual SEMA Show Mopar / Direct Connection exhibit offers the Mopar aficionado the place to see it all!

Next up from the show: The “Mopar Heaven” group comes to Las Vegas!

Author: James Maxwell