Mopar Unveils 2003 Dodge Stratus R/T Pro Stock Entry

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 6, 2002) -- Compromise is not an option. Mopar officials, in
an announcement during today¹s SEMA show at the Las Vegas Convention Center,
made that mantra clear by unveiling its new Hemi-powered Dodge Stratus R/T
Pro Stock challenger for the 2003 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season.

The state-of-the-art Dodge Stratus R/T Pro Stock machine represents the
third step in Mopar¹s Pro Stock revolution. Mopar fueled the passion of its
loyal fan base when it debuted the 500-cubic-inch Hemi engine during the
2000 NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. The Dodge Neon R/T was
introduced at last season¹s Mopar Parts Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere
Speedway in Morrison, Colo.

³It¹s absolutely the perfect way (for a manufacturer) to design a new race
vehicle,² said Brett Fischer, DaimlerChrysler drag racing program manager.
³We used the latest technology housed in DaimlerChrysler¹s Technology
Center, along with the expertise of our engineers. Terry DeKoninck, who is
the lead aero engineer on the program, has done an incredible job. It¹s
going to be a more competitive race car over what we have now. NHRA fans
will be able to identify more with the car on track. And it will be more in
line with our dealer group because we¹re running a current model year car.
This car looks like the Dodge Stratus R/T that our Dodge dealers are selling
across the country right now. It will drive more traffic into the showrooms.
More than our current Neon does.²

Two Mopar-backed Pro Stock teams fielding four drivers will be guiding the
factory program for 2003. Veteran team owner and driver Allen Johnson and
three-time Pro Stock World Champion Darrell Alderman will team together in
the first two-car factory operation. Veteran Pro Stock campaigner and team
owner Larry Morgan will expand to a two-car operation; joining forces with
current NHRA Road to the Future candidate and 2001 IHRA Pro Stock World
Champion Gene Wilson on the other Mopar factory team.

³The (Mopar factory) program had gotten to a point where our equipment is
obviously there ­ looking at the national speed record we¹ve held for more
than a year now,² Fischer said. ³But, we are looking for consistency and a
higher level of performance round-to-round.

³With (Allen) Johnson, together with Darrell (Alderman) driving, I think we
have two of the top drivers in the category,² Fischer added. ³We also feel
that Roy Johnson is one of the top engine builders in the pit area. We¹re
looking forward to our partnership with the Johnson team in their chase for
the Pro Stock World Championship in 2003. The other two-car team will have
Larry Morgan and Gene Wilson. They are two other incredible drivers with a
great engine program. With our increased engineering support, we will be
more competitive for race victories each weekend. It¹s what we need to be
doing as a manufacturer. We are at a point where we are competitive, but we
haven¹t made a real dent in the Pro Stock championship. Mopar wants to win.
Mopar wants to win another championship. And we want to dominate. We want
half the field, or the entire field, to eventually be Dodges¹. That¹s the
direction we are heading. There are going to be a lot of changes for next
year.²

Allen Johnson talked about joining Mopar¹s factory program.

³It¹s exciting for us,² said Johnson, who won the NHRA national event at
Atlanta Dragway earlier this season. ³We hope we can take it and build
something really good for Mopar and all the hard-working guys on this team.
We feel like we¹re in position to run for the championship right off the
bat. I think that¹s a little different than the position Mopar has been in
with the new teams they have had the last time or two. We go way back with
Mopar. Being with Mopar means a lot to my dad as well, and that¹s the main
reason I¹m doing this.

³The Mopar engines and parts we¹re getting are excellent,² Johnson
continued. ³One of the great things is the Mopar engineers actually listen
to us. We¹re just now starting to work with them and it¹s really starting to
show. Down through the years, my dad has had a close relationship with
Mopar. Now, Mopar¹s engineers are coming over and asking us what we want.
That type of support is so hard to get. When you¹re not part of the factory
team, you can¹t really be a part of that. We¹re really excited about working
with the Mopar engineering group as well as Larry Morgan and the other
factory team. I feel strongly both teams will work together as a cohesive
unit.²

Alderman racked up his 28th NHRA national event victory at Gainesville
(Fla.) Raceway earlier this year, while Wilson has grabbed two, final-round
appearances and a No. 1 qualifier in this, his rookie season. Morgan has
taken home nine career NHRA Pro Stock victories, including this year¹s tilt
at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., last July. Johnson has collected
two-career NHRA national event victories.