Racing into the Holiday Spirit

This Christmas season, Hennessey Performance Engineering has once again combined festive cheer with adrenaline-pumping speed. Since 2017, the company has hosted its iconic Christmas Tree Run, where high-performance vehicles, adorned with a Christmas tree, race down a runway at jaw-dropping speeds. This year, the highlight was the stock 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, which reached an impressive 196 mph while carrying a 1.7-meter spruce complete with over 200 lights.

Breaking Records and Expectations

Hennessey’s Christmas tradition has evolved significantly, showcasing the capabilities of both modified and stock vehicles. The starting point was a Dodge Challenger Hellcat that hit 174 mph in the inaugural run. Since then, the speeds have climbed:

• 181 mph – 1,000 hp Jeep Trackhawk
• 182 mph – Shelby GT500
• 192 mph – 1,000 hp Mustang in 2022

Only the 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S fell short of the 180 mph mark at 175 mph. This progression highlights Hennessey’s commitment to pushing performance boundaries, even during the holiday season.

The Technical Triumphs Behind the Stunt

Securing a Christmas tree while reaching near 200 mph isn’t just festive fun; it’s a technical challenge. The Corvette ZR1, with a staggering 1,078 hp, requires robust roof racks to maintain stability and aerodynamics at high speeds. The Chase Field runway limited the car’s ability to push beyond 196 mph, but the engineering behind it reveals much about modern supercar capabilities.

Speed Meets Holiday Logistics

Hennessey’s high-speed runs also serve as a metaphor for the increasing demands of holiday shipping. In 2025, U.S. carriers expect to handle between 2-2.3 billion holiday packages, up by 5% compared to the previous year. As deadlines for shipping loom, the contrast between the automotive speed displayed by Hennessey and the logistics of e-commerce becomes striking. Shoppers now prioritize swift, reliable deliveries, pushing the industry to keep up with such expectations.

More Than Just a Stunt

What began as a quirky holiday stunt has transformed into a viral marketing phenomenon. Hennessey’s President, Alex Roys, emphasized that the Christmas Tree Run embodies the joy of performance vehicles—loud, fun, and unhinged. As the automotive industry increasingly intertwines with e-commerce narratives, such events highlight the thrill of speed while resonating with the urgency of timely deliveries.

With the holiday spirit and speed blending seamlessly, Hennessey reminds us that the thrill of the ride can coexist with the festive season—driving home the true meaning of Christmas in a way only they can.