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This Dodge Challenger was stolen, used in police chases and recovered all in the week before its SEMA debut

Most of the drama in a SEMA build is in getting the car ready in time for the big show. That was all Quintin Bros Auto and Performance was expecting when they built a supercharged Dodge Challenger Scat Pack with custom carbon fiber body parts, aftermarket wheels and upgraded brakes. But unfortunately, a bigger drama happened in the week leading up to the show. And it was the worst kind. As part owner Pete Quintin told us, the car was shipped out in a small trailer, and while the delivery driver was spending the Monday night a week before the show at a hotel, a thief showed up in a stolen pickup and made off with the trailer and the car. It wasn't an easy task, either, as the delivery driver had parked the trailer in with the truck blocking it. The thief used his own (well, not his own, but you know what we mean) truck to shove the trailer hitch out where he could access it, then hooked it up and took off. Several miles down the road, he parked, opened up the trailer and vanished in the Challenger. The following morning, the delivery driver discovered the theft, and Quintin Bros immediately informed the owner so that a police report could be filed and a search could begin. The trailer was found not too long after, thanks to someone who was following the story on social media. But obviously the car was missing. Folks on social media were also helpful in tracking the car, in addition to the help of the Las Vegas Police Department (LVPD). What followed was a week of chasing the car down. Twice the car was found in parking garages, Quintin said, and both discoveries resulted in police chases. The second chase was the most dramatic, with a police officer stopping after noticing the car. The thief was in it, and he bolted upon seeing the officer. He powered the Challenger right through the nose of the police car, damaging both. The chase culminated on the highway, where Quintin told us 14 cars were in pursuit, and the thief got up to 150 mph. Police ended up calling off the chase because of the danger. But the car was damaged enough that the thief eventually abandoned it at one last garage, where it was picked up on Thursday. Once the car was recovered, things gradually began looking up for the Quintin family. Pete Quintin said that as soon as LVPD found out the Challenger was meant to go to SEMA, the department got the car out of evidence impound as fast as it could so the shop could show off the beat-up car.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will come with a crate full of goodies

Dodge released its latest trailer for the upcoming 2018 Challenger SRT Demon, and it's all about the extra stuff that comes with the car. Each Demon will be delivered with a custom-painted crate, complete with metal serial tag with the car's VIN and the name of the owner. Inside the crate are 18 items, which will help make the Demon a dual-purpose vehicle. The company says that "each customer can decide at the time of order, or once they own the car, or even at a moment's notice that they want their car to favor street performance, drag strip performance, or something in between." Dodge announced that the crate contains matching spare wheels and Demon-branded tools. In the trailer, we can see some of the tools, including a jack, impact gun, socket wrench, and a tire-pressure gauge. We imagine that part of the plan is that owners can have an extra set of tires, perhaps some even stickier drag slicks, and have everything on hand to swap them out quickly. Dodge also revealed that it will include a "Demon Track Pack System" and "Direct Connection Demon Performance Parts." These items present more of a mystery, since the trailer only shows the wheels and tools. One of the official images (pictured above) shows the crate opened up, and what may be portions of a racing harness. So the Demon may include some safety parts that could be installed or removed to make it safe on track, or comfortable on the street for the driver and passengers. Assuming that any passenger seats are left in the car. Related Video:

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon | First Run at Lucas Oil Raceway

We drove the Dodge 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon this week. Not very far, mind you, but fast. We can't tell you all about it just yet, but we can show you what it looks and sounds like to launch it down the drag strip at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Thanks for watching, and come back on Wednesday, July 19, to read all about our experience behind the wheel of the Dodge Demon.