I met Mr. Shenkin for what he called a pre-show “Meat” and Greet at Panther City BBQ – and let me tell you, do yourself a favor: if you’re ever in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, go there. Get the burnt ends. Seriously. You can thank me later – OH MY GOD.
We kicked things off talking about how he got involved with Dodge and his current car, but honestly? My ability to focus on anything other than the food disappeared with my first bite.
Fast-forward a few hours, and I’m sitting shotgun in Alex’s 2017 Charger SRT® Hellcat in the parking lot of the Mopar® Heaven host hotel. Because let’s be real: everyone knows the hotel lot is where the real show starts. And this SRT Hellcat? It’s a conversation starter, to say the least – stock is definitely not a word that applies here.
As Alex hits a switch, the air suspension lets out a hiss and lifts the car from street-scraping stunner to road-ready brute. Each rise and fall of the bags triggers flashbacks of pit stops – rapid-fire, race-day adrenaline moments as air jacks launch cars up for lightning-fast tire changes.
“I bought it in 2018 with 7,000 miles,” Alex says, eyes darting over the contusion blue paint, shimmering even under the light dust kicked up by the Mopar crowd. That finish? Credit Dodge’s paint team – and a next-level ceramic coat that keeps it looking slick.
But Alex’s Mopar journey didn’t start with this beast. Like many, he began with what he could afford. “I’ve only driven Dodges since 2011. My first Charger was a V6 – that’s what I could swing back then.” That humble beginning eventually evolved into a Scat Pack, and finally, into this fire-breathing Hellcat, now pushing a spicy 926 horsepower to the rear wheels.
When I asked what it took to get there, Alex reeled off a list that would make any gearhead lean in: upgraded pulleys, larger injectors, Four Innovations Racing fuel system, HP Tuners setup, E85 conversion. The build, done by Bailey’s Hyperformance, is a study in extracting maximum muscle from the SRT Hellcat platform.
But make no mistake – this isn’t a trailer queen or dedicated strip monster. “I didn’t build it for the drag strip,” Alex says. “It was more about building something for me.” That said, he’ll admit to stretching its legs on quiet, late-night roads – strictly within the speed limit, of course (wink).
Carbon fiber touches throughout the interior pair with a slammed, aggressive exterior: Gorilla splitters, side skirts, rear diffuser. Out back, Weld Racing wheels wrapped in Mickey Thompsons do their best to wrangle all that power to the pavement.
Yet, beyond the numbers and mods, this SRT Hellcat is a reflection of Alex’s deeper connection to the Mopar world. As a show judge and long-time enthusiast, he’s seen the community grow – and it’s something he’s proud to be part of. “Mopar Heaven? It’s the biggest show there is. I love what Dodge is doing with these cars.”
So what’s next? No hesitation. “Thirteen hundred horsepower,” Alex says. First step? Ditch the bags. Then it’s onto a bigger blower, ported heads and a throttle body upgrade that should squeeze out another 60-70 horses.
Unlike others chasing the next build, Alex isn’t letting this one go. “This one’s staying with me,” he says. He’s got his eye on a Redeye Charger, but even then, it’s all about four doors. “I don’t think I’d ever drive anything but a Charger.”
That kind of brand loyalty is the heartbeat of the Mopar community. Alex talks about impromptu BBQ meetups where Chargers, Challengers and Durangos gather, turning parking lots into rolling car shows. “You don’t see that kind of bond with other brands. At least, I haven’t.”
As our conversation winds down, I ask him what makes Dodge and Mopar so special. He nods toward the SRT Hellcat’s long, sculpted hood. “From the driver’s seat, it feels like you’re in command. For a car this big, it drives like a go-kart – a ridiculous, powerful go-kart.”
In an era where automotive enthusiasm feels increasingly fractured, Alex’s story stands out. His journey from a humble V6 to a 926-horsepower street legend is the kind of tale that fuels the Mopar spirit: passionate, loyal, relentless. Whether adding power or building community, Alex Shenkin’s contusion blue Charger is more than a car – it’s proof that the Brotherhood of Muscle is alive and thriving.
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