Except that it IS a rare occurrence. This is the user generated "fast list" from
http://www.challengertalk.com/forums...-sticky-63213/
Notice there are all of 6 people who have achieved sub-12.6 times. Out of the tens of thousands of 392 Challengers roaming the streets, 6 have posted times in this range. Notice how most of these times are 12.6 or higher? In fact, the average time from the average driver at Challengertalk is 12.98 @ 109.4mph which makes it a high 12's car.
SRT8Tech 12.253@113.86 1.907 60' 392 A5 stock
Capo 12.395@12.395 1.906 60' 392 A5 Stock
newmoon 12.464@112.00 1.929 60' 392 A5 stock (Error on MPH on time slip)
KyHemiRT 12.517@110.84 1.849 60' 392 A5 stock
SparkChicken 12.566@111.76 1.913 60' 392 A5 stock
Kakdiesel1 12.593@113.71 2.070 60' 392 A5 stock
Flying Dutchman 12.630@111.92 2.033 60' A5 stock
bskylerj 12.650@110.44 1.904 60' 392 A5 stock
555ss 12.685@109.16 1.878 60' 392 M6 Stock
DonP 12.696@110.06 1.912 60' 392 A5 stock
Red Barron 12.744@109.92 2.021 60' M6 Stock
hemi420 12.769@113.35 1.933 60' 392 M6 stock
MrBohica 12.789@115.09 2.1011 60' 392 stock
CrankCase 12.805@109.05 2.007 60' M6 stock
rayzazoo 12.847@109.89 1.976 60' 392 A5 stock
GodsRodsHEMI 12.911@110.33 2.059 60' 392 A5 stock
Hoopester 12.974@112.09 2.059 60' 392 M6 stock
Madcoder 13.013@107.22 2.174 60' 392 A5 stock
Whisky Tango Foxtrot! 13.093@109.31 2.121 60' 392 M6 Stock
Mayra 13.220@107.30 2.161 60' 392 A5 stock
Litos 13.268@106.58 2.119 60' 392 A5 stock
rmeaux 13.320@108.56 2.228 60' 392 M6 stock
SRT8PWR 13.393@108.47 2.272 60' 392 M6 Stock
kwoolums67 13.709@102.79 2.079 60' 392 Stock
AZZKIKR 13.730@102.62 2.146 60' M6 382 Stock
B5Classic 14.350@102.00 2.454 60' 392 M6 Stock
Above you can see the average Joe times from the 392 Challenger. Let's compare that to what magazine reviews achieved.
C&D: 0-60 in 4.5, 12.9 1/4mile at 114mph, 4203lbs
MotorTrend: 0-60 in 4.6, 13.0 1/4mile at 111.3mph, 4260lbs
Edmunds: 0-60 in 4.7, 12.9 1/4mile at 111.0mph, 4257lbs
Edmunds: 0-60 in 4.5, 12.6 1/4mile at 112.1mph, 4257lbs
This gives us an average of 0-60 in 4.6; 12.85 @ 112.1 mph for the 392 Challenger.
So to recap...
Average fast time 392 owners: 12.98 @ 109.4 mph
Average fast time 392 magazines: 12.85 @ 112.1 mph
Now lets look at the Z/28 reviews.
Car&Driver: 0-60: 4.4 sec; 1/4 mile: 12.7 @ 116mph
MotorTrend: 0-60: 4.0 sec; 1/4 mile: 12.3 @ 117.2mph
Road&Track: 0-60: 4.0 sec; 1/4 mile: 12.2 @ 118mph
Automobile: 0-60: 4.0 sec; 1/4 mile: 12.3 @ 117mph
This gives us an average of 0-60 in 4.1; 12.38 @ 117.0 mph for the Z/28.
Let me put these side by side so you can see why these cars are not in the same league. Keep in mind, the Z/28 is NOT built for drag racing.
SRT8: 0-60 in 4.6; 12.85 @ 112.1 mph
Z/28: 0-60 in 4.1; 12.38 @ 117.0 mph
But they're NOT close at all. The biggest difference between these cars is the Challenger's weight, not power, as the 392 is making excellent power.
Z/28 Dyno: 455hp/420ft-lbs
SRT8 Dyno: 452hp/443ft-lbs
That video is SRT8Tech's run. What you can't see is his drag radials and stripped interior
Sure, there are a handful of hero times by good drivers out there for ALL cars.
Mustang 5.0 bone stock
Pure Stock---------------- 1.89 - 12.22 @ 115.18
SicShelby09 ---------------1.76 - 12.51 @ 111
mrfiveoh-------------------1.97 - 12.57 @ 112.49
Camaro SS bone stock
nhra stocker---------------1.97 - 12.588 @ 110.30
2quik----------------------1.95 - 12.615 @ 111.60
blufin----------------------1.93 - 12.618 @ 110.75
ZL1 bone stock
BADASSBU-----------------1.82 - 11.717 @ 117.61
tnspd----------------------1.79 - 11.763 @ 118.76
Lake End-------------------2.03 - 11.988 @ 120.42
These are certainly NOT average.