Mopar Muscle Gets a Green Light: Direct Connection Scat Pack Nose Approved for Late Model Racing

ABC gives the nod to a factory look built for the racetrack

Racers running Late Model stock cars now have a new, officially certified option to give their cars the Dodge Charger Scat Pack look. The sanctioning body ABC has approved a Direct Connection‑licensed nose package made by Five Star Racecar Bodies for competition in Late Model classes. That means teams can mount a Scat Pack–styled front end and matching rear graphics without running afoul of ABC rules, and fans get a cleaner, factory‑like appearance on weekends at their local short tracks.

What’s included and how it fits on Late Model cars

The certified package centers on a molded front fascia that recreates the Dodge Charger Scat Pack face — headlights, grille silhouette and the familiar aggressive profile — in a form built to fit standard Late Model bodies. Five Star is offering the front fascia as the main, load‑bearing piece; the approval also covers coordinated rear graphics kits so cars can carry Scat Pack branding front and back.

Fitment is designed to match the common mounting points used across Late Model bodies, so teams should not need major chassis changes. The nose is made from the same composite materials teams already use for replacement panels, and Five Star says it follows accepted dimensions so aerodynamic behavior and safety clearances meet ABC’s body rules. The rear graphics are decals and overlays rather than structural parts, keeping them simple to apply and replace.

Five Star and the Direct Connection brand have positioned the kit as a cosmetic upgrade first — giving race cars a recognizable showroom look while keeping the cars within the technical limits set for Late Model classes. The supplier emphasizes compatibility and wearability: panels that can be patched or swapped trackside without specialized tools.

Why the licensing matters for brands and rule keepers

This is a branded, licensed product. Direct Connection — the parts and performance arm historically tied to Dodge — licensed the Scat Pack design to Five Star, which produced the racing‑grade panels. ABC’s certification matters because it formally recognises the product as legal for its Late Model rules, and it helps protect the visual identity that Direct Connection and Dodge expect from official reproductions.

For the sanctioning body, the certification process is about safety and parity as much as branding. ABC checks that the part doesn’t create an unfair aero edge and that it can be safely used in contact‑heavy racing. For the manufacturers, licensing keeps the design faithful to the road car while giving teams an approved way to carry the badge on track.

What racers and tracks can expect

The practical upside for teams is simple: you can get the Scat Pack look without reengineering the nose of your car. That will appeal to owners who want clear, factory styling for sponsorship or fan recognition. Track operators and promoters may welcome a consistent, road‑car look in their Late Model fields because it helps marketing and spectator engagement.

How fast uptake will be depends on local tastes and budgets. Late Model teams that value appearance and brand ties — and those with sponsors linked to Mopar or performance parts — are the most likely early adopters. For pure performance‑first teams, it’s a neutral change unless they prefer a different aftermarket shape for handling reasons.

Where to buy, timing and next steps

Five Star Racecar Bodies says the Direct Connection‑licensed Scat Pack nose and the matching rear graphics kits are available through its dealer and distributor network. Pricing and lead times were published by the supplier at launch; teams can order through their usual Five Star channels. ABC’s certification clears the package for competition immediately under the sanctioning body’s Late Model rules, and Five Star plans to support customers with fitment guides and replacement parts.

Longer term, look for the product to show up at regional Late Model events as teams swap panels during the off‑week or before marquee races. The approval sets a tidy example of how licensed automotive styling can move from street to track while staying within the rulebook — giving fans a more familiar look and teams a trouble‑free way to carry a factory image.

Sources

• prnewswire.com