TopCat's Dodge Challenger Reclaims the Hellcat Quarter Mile World Record

This past weekend, Josh Schwartz drove the HHP-built 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat known as TopCat into the 8-second range for the first time – becoming the first automatic transmission Hellcat car in the 8s while once again becoming the quickest Hellcat Hemi-powered car in the world.

Throughout the modern Mopar community, the white Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat shown above is known as TopCat. This Challenger was originally owned by John “TopCat” Toutkoushian until he passed away in 2016, at which point his wife, Linda, took ownership of the world’s quickest Hellcat car. John’s goal was to put this Hellcat Challenger in the 8s and after he passed, Linda and Josh Schwartz of High Horse Performance continued working towards that goal. During that time, the car has become known online at TopCat for good reason.

This past weekend, Josh, Linda and everyone else involved with the TopCat Challenger saw that goal achieved, as this Hellcat-powered coupe became the first 8-speed automatic transmission car in the world to break into the 8-second range. In addition to becoming the first A8 Hellcat car in the 8-second range, TopCat’s 8.883 set the new Hellcat quarter mile record – beating the previous record of 8.913 from the Epling Garage Challenger.

Details on the World’s Quickest Hellcat
Here is a quick rundown on the changes made to the TopCat Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat to get this monster Mopar muscle car into the 8-second range.

The supercharged 6.2L Hemi has HHP/BES ported cylinder heads, an HHP/BES custom camshaft, an HHP/BES ported supercharger housing, a 2.65 upper pulley, an ATI overdrive damper, an HHP dual fuel pump setup, ID1000 fuel injectors, American Racing headers, American Racing mufflers, a Nitrous Outlet plate with kit with 150hp jets and a Q16 tune from Josh at HHP and AJ from HEMITUNER Performance.

The 8-speed automatic transmission in this Hellcat Challenger has been built by Southern Hot Rod and it is fitted with a ProTorque Torque Converter as well as a trans tune from Josh and AJ.

Finally, a set of HHP Santhuff Race shocks, HHP Ultralight 15” drag rims all the way around with Mickey Thompson 275 Street Radial Pro tires out back help get all of that power to the ground as smoothly as possible.

We do not currently have a video of the record run, but hopefully one will turn up. In the meantime, we know that the HHP-built Hellcat Challenger now owned by Linda Toutkoushian ran an 8.883 quarter mile at 154.99 miles per hour, making it the quickest Hellcat Hemi-powered car in the world. On that record run, TopCat pulled a 1.369 60-foot time with an 8th mile time of 5.72 and an 8th mile trap speed of 124.21 miles per hour.

Even if you aren’t really into drag racing, anyone who drives a fast car should be able to recognize how impressive it is for car on street tires to get from a stop to 125 miles per hour in less than 6 seconds.

So, congratulations to Josh, Linda, the HHP team and everyone else involved in getting Josh’s Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat into the 8-second quarter mile range – setting a world record and achieving TopCat’s initial goal.