The Hard Charger: A New Contender in NPK?

The world of No Prep Kings (NPK) racing is always evolving, and 2024 is no exception. One of the biggest talking points right now is the new Hard Centrifugal Supercharger that’s making waves in the racing scene. We got a first look at this innovative setup at the U.S. Street Nationals and the World Series of Pro Mod, and it has everyone asking—how does it stack up against the tried-and-true ProCharger setups?

Photo by Robin Roberts Racing 

A New Challenger in Forced Induction

For years, ProCharger combinations have been dominant in the NPK world, but the introduction of the Hard Charger centrifugal supercharger has racers and fans alike intrigued. Unlike traditional roots blowers or turbo setups, this new supercharger aims to deliver serious horsepower with a different approach. But does it have what it takes to compete at the highest level?

Two well-known Street Outlaws racers, Robin Roberts and Larry Larson, have already tested the Hard Charger in competitive settings. At the World Series of Pro Mod, Robin Roberts clocked a 3.65-second pass at 204 mph, while Larry Larson ran a 3.69 at 201 mph in his NPK car. Those are solid numbers, but they still lag behind the speeds seen by ProCharger-equipped racers. The biggest concern isn’t just the elapsed times—it’s the lower mile-per-hour readings that indicate the Hard Charger may not be generating the same power levels as the ProCharger setups.

Photo by Robin Roberts Racing 

How Does It Compare?

While the Hard Charger showed promise in its debut, one thing became clear—it wasn’t quite keeping up with the ProCharger cars in terms of top speed. And here’s the kicker: the Hard Charger and ProCharger racers were running at the same weight with no performance breaks for either setup. If the Hard Charger is going to be a true contender in NPK, it may need some serious refinement.

On the other hand, ProCharger racers aren’t standing still. With no weight rules, boost restrictions, or overdrive limitations on Speed Promotions events, many ProCharger competitors are now adding nitrous to their combinations for even more power. This could make it even harder for the Hard Charger to catch up unless it sees significant improvements in efficiency and power output.

Photo by Robin Roberts Racing 

What’s Next for the Hard Charger in NPK?

While Robin Roberts is expected to race at select NPK events this season, he won’t be running a full schedule due to other commitments. Larry Larson’s plans remain uncertain, but fans are hoping to see him in action. Meanwhile, Mike Bowman is set to make his NPK return, also equipped with a Hard Charger setup.

The big question is how this new supercharger will perform on No Prep surfaces. Unlike prepped tracks where traction is optimized, NPK races introduce a whole new challenge. If the Hard Charger can adapt and prove itself competitive under these conditions, it could become a real threat in the series.

For now, all eyes are on the Hard Charger and its performance in the upcoming NPK season. Will it rise to the challenge, or will ProCharger continue to dominate? Stay tuned to StreetOutlawsTalks.com for all the latest updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the NPK world!