Dodge Charger set to light up the strip...
Subject: Dodge Charger set to light up the strip in 2006 NHRA POWERade Funny
Car Series debut
Contact: Dan Bodene 248.512.2920
Debby Robinson 312.505.4336
DODGE CHARGER SET TO LIGHT UP THE STRIP IN 2006 NHRA POWERADE FUNNY CAR
SERIES DEBUT
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (March 13, 2006) -- When it comes to racing, nobody
exhibits modern-era muscle more than the Dodge drag race teams competing in
the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). So, after celebrating a 1-2
championship finish in 2005, Dodge has announced it will introduce the Dodge
Charger to NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car competition in 2006,
with its debut in the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., March 16-19.
The announcement comes a little more than one year following the public
reveal of the 2006 Dodge Charger passenger vehicle at the 2005 North
American International Auto Show and the introduction of the Dodge Charger
race car to NASCAR Nextel Cup Series competition.
³The Dodge Charger is a perfect fit for the next generation of NHRA Funny
Cars,² said John Fernandez, Director Dodge Motorsports Operations. ³Dodge
has an incredible heritage in racing and the Charger name is synonymous with
power and performance two key ingredients to winning in any form of
racing.
³We want to build on the winning tradition that our NHRA teams established
in 2005 and pave a way to even more success in 2006. With the amount of
research and testing that went into developing the Dodge Charger production
model the ultimate American muscle sedan as well as the Charger Funny
Car, Dodge will continue to win both on the track and on the showroom floor
this year.²
The newly designed Dodge Charger Funny Car combines the latest in Dodge
engineering advancements with an added boost of Dodge DNA. The race car
features the same bold styling, signature grille and powerful performance
found throughout the Dodge lineup, and it takes design cues directly from
the 2006 Dodge Charger passenger vehicle. Dodge Motorsports worked closely
with NHRA in developing the appearance and safety of the Dodge Charger Funny
Car.
Don Schumacher Racing¹s stable of drivers expect to be as competitive as
ever in the new Dodge Charger, which could mean a shot for returning
champion Gary Scelzi to become the first driver in NHRA history to win
back-to-back titles in both the Funny Car and Top Fuel divisions.
Scelzi will pilot the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger in 2006, with runner-up
championship teammate Ron Capps in the Brut Dodge Charger, and NHRA veteran
Whit Bazemore in the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Charger.
Dodge will introduce the Dodge Charger in National Hot Rod Association
(NHRA) Funny Car competition in 2006, with the race car making its debut at
the NHRA Gatornationals, March 16-19 in Gainesville, Fla. Don Schumacher
Racing driver and 2005 NHRA Funny Car champ Gary Scelzi will pilot the
Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger (above), with teammate Ron Capps in the Brut
Dodge Charger. NHRA veteran Whit Bazemore will pilot the Matco Tools Iron
Eagle Dodge Charger in 2006.
Editor's note: For a high-res version of this photo, please contact Annette
Randall at arandall@clearblue.biz or 704-517-3722.
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