Despite being discontinued, the Camaro ZL1, Hellcat, and Shelby GT500 continue to dominate dragstrips, showcasing their iconic power in epic matchups.
With the recent departure of several iconic American muscle cars, enthusiasts are turning to quarter-mile dragstrips to experience the thrill of models like the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Dodge Challenger Hellcat, and Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. As the US market pivots towards electric vehicles and crossovers, only the S650 Ford Mustang remains, leaving the Camaro and Charger legacy in the hands of a few remaining units and dedicated drag racers.
General Motors discontinued the sixth-generation Camaro late last year, with no successor on the horizon, and Dodge has retired its L-bodied Charger and Challenger models. Stellantis plans to reintroduce the Charger as an EV and with an inline-six engine, marking a significant departure from the V8-powered muscle we’ve come to know. Meanwhile, Ford’s latest Mustang lineup lacks a Shelby model, with only the Dark Horse and the ultra-exclusive Mustang GTD holding the torch.
The track, however, is where these muscle car legends continue to shine. At venues like Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway, Palm Beach International Raceway, and Bradenton Motorsports Park, the Drag Racing and Car Stuff YouTube channel captures the Camaro ZL1, Hellcat, and Shelby GT500 still pushing their limits. The action starts with a green Camaro ZL1, sporting red-accented wheels and a black hood, facing off against a green Dodge Challenger Hellcat. With both cars reaching intense speeds, the Camaro ZL1 edges out with a 9.5-second pass at 150 mph, while the Hellcat follows at 10.2 seconds at 135 mph.
The excitement doesn’t stop there. Next, a white Camaro ZL1 and blue Shelby GT500 go neck-and-neck, each clocking 10.48 seconds, with the Camaro narrowly winning thanks to a faster reaction time. Another intense race follows as a Dodge Charger with blue racing stripes takes on a yellow Camaro, delivering a commanding 10.23-second victory over the Camaro’s 11.93 seconds. Meanwhile, a black Camaro ZL1 blitzes a white Chevy truck with a blistering 9.42-second finish, leaving its opponent in the dust at 11.23 seconds.
The showdown wraps up with a thrilling finale between a Shelby GT500 and another Camaro, both fighting to hit single-digit times. This time, the Shelby takes the win, clocking in at 9.92 seconds while the Camaro finishes at 10.86 seconds.
The exhilarating matchups raise questions about whether it was too soon to phase out these legendary muscle cars. The Camaro, Hellcat, and Shelby GT500 have left an indelible mark on automotive history, and their performances on the dragstrip serve as reminders of the era when American muscle reigned supreme. For now, the quarter-mile track remains their stage, celebrating the legacy of Detroit’s mightiest V8s before they fade into memory.
