In an automotive world overtaken by crossovers, SUVs, trucks – and now also hefty EVs, there is always something miraculous when you see an elegant sports car.
Of course, if you're in America, chances are there's also a big and brawny muscle car in the immediate vicinity, and the two of them are most likely preparing to settle a feud at the local quarter-mile dragstrip. Chevrolet, for example, is among the few Detroit automakers to give you 'plentiful' choices when it comes to passenger cars.
As such, you could drive home like a granny in your $25k Malibu. Or you might choose to be the awkward one and have a sixth-gen Camaro in the driveway (but hurry up, as 2024MY is the end of the road for this iteration). But, of course, everyone actually wants a piece of the C8 action.
Even the Stingray sounds better than many other sports cars if you didn't have the money or patience to wait for a Z06 or the upcoming E-Ray. And you wouldn't be too wrong about your choice unless high elevation starts playing tricks on your naturally aspirated V8. Well, that happens, sometimes – and it's part of everyday life at some of the nation's quarter-mile dragstrips.
The videographer behind the Wheels channel on YouTube is a big fan of Mission Raceway Park (aka Thunder by the River) and Bandimere Speedway (aka Thunder Mountain). Still, the allure of The Strip sometimes gets the better of him. No, not the four-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard brimming with hotels and casinos.
Instead, we refer to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, one of the few quarter-mile tracks with four lanes. Not that we need more than two when someone films the classic Detroit Three encounters. So, as per recent tradition, the feature includes a feisty C8 Chevy Corvette – a black Stingray. Meanwhile, in the other lane, an equally menacing Dodge Charger – a 392 Scat Pack, as far as we can tell.
And while the Mopar is stickered all over the lower sides like in NFS, that and the rear spoiler didn't do much good for this race. Interestingly, there was a considerable debate in the comments section whether the "dude in C8 was sleeping at the light (or) didn't know how to use launch control" because the Charger was the first one off the line, there was a lot of tire torture, and only after they passed the tree did the Corvette recoup the loss and took command of the race.
In the end, they posted a 12.76s versus 14.66s result. However, the second rival for the C8 Corvette was slightly different – a Ford Mustang Fox Body dressed as a classic Saleen. Its owner sure gave both the C8 and the Mopar before it a lesson in good manners when it comes to tire pre-heating procedures, and we really had some high hopes this little Fox Body would shelter a pleasant surprise.
Well, it didn't pan out, although the C8 Corvette again played some Jedi mind tricks on its opponent with a very slow start and then featuring a quick recovery. The ETs still weren't so spectacular – 12.67s versus 13.81s, but the race sure looked a lot more entertaining than the one before it. After all, it never gets old to see an aggressive GM beat members of team Mopar and FoMoCo, right?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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