2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon test drive

They know at least 5 years in advance what's coming out .
They - NHRA, made the changes in 2013 (and dated it back to production year 2008) not just because of the then-released Hellcat but also because of the corvette ZR1, Mustang GT350, etc that we’re out there already. And, I am sure as you’re saying, to head off what was coming

And if you read the rules, it has to be in “stock factory” configuration. So, technically if you have a 2012 Challenger that you toss a blower on ... it doesn’t, by the letter of the rule, excempt you ... not that local tracks enforce it ....