Dodge Challenger NASCAR Nationwide Series racer unveiled
by Alex Nunez on Oct 31st 2009 at 12:24PM 
2010 Dodge Challenger New Nationwide Series racer - Click above for a high-res image gallery
NASCAR's rollout of its new Nationwide Series race car design has garnered buzz already with the introduction of the first-ever Mustang-branded stocker, and it got another shot in the arm yesterday at Talladega when Chrysler pulled the wraps off its brand-new Dodge Challenger Nationwide racer. We personally love the fact that the Challenger NNS car retains the same general front-end look as the production street car -- partially restoring an element that's been missing from stock cars for years now. The new Nationwide Mustang and Challenger will join their yet-to-be-unveiled counterparts from Chevy and Toyota (don't hold your breath for a Nationwide Camaro) in four races on the 2010 Nationwide Series calendar: Daytona in July, then later dates at Michigan, Richmond, and Lowe's Motor Speedway. The new car designs are expected to be fully adopted for the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. This process mimics the way NASCAR rolled out the Car of Tomorrow in the top-tier Sprint Cup series. Check out Dodge's official press release after the jump, and have a closer look at the new Dodge Challenger Nationwide car in the gallery below. As soon as Chrysler PR uploads photos that show more than just the car's front end (come on, guys...), we'll update the gallery.
UPDATE: NASCAR.com has shots of all four new NNS cars. The Chevy and Toyota retain Impala and Camry branding.
[Source: Dodge Motorsports]
PRESS RELEASE
Dodge Motorsports Notes & Quotes - Dodge Introduces Challenger For NASCAR Nationwide Series
TALLADEGA, Ala. (Friday, Oct. 30, 2009) – Dodge Motorsports today revealed the Dodge Challenger as the "New Car" for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and announced an expansion of its partnership with Penske Racing beginning in 2010. Dodge will provide support for Penske Racing's two-car operation in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in addition to Penske's three teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
"As the performance brand of our new company, we are excited to expand our relationship with Penske Racing and introduce the iconic Dodge Challenger as our entry into the NASCAR Nationwide Series," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Car Brand. "Motorsports are a significant part of the Dodge brand's legacy. Penske Racing has such a rich tradition in motorsports, and our partnership in the Nationwide Series will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the Challenger and offer our loyal Dodge enthusiasts plenty of excitement in this very competitive series next year."
Penske Racing will field two teams, both running the full-season schedule. The Dodge Challenger will be used at the four "New Car" races NASCAR has designated, starting at Daytona in July. At the other 31 events that complete the 35-race season, Penske Racing will field Dodge Chargers as it did this season with the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger driven by Justin Allgaier. NASCAR is expecting full integration of the "New Car" in 2011.
Joining Allgaier will be Brad Keselowski in the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge. He also will compete in the Dodge Challenger for the four designated races and in a Charger for the remainder of the schedule.
"Today's announcement further reinforces our relationship and commitment to Dodge Motorsports, and we are excited about our future with this great brand," said Tim Cindric, President of Penske Racing. "We believe Dodge's relationship with Penske Racing will continue to elevate and highlight both our brands and deliver value to Dodge enthusiasts."
Allgaier, in his rookie season in the Nationwide Series, is currently fifth in the season point standings and the leader among Rookie of the Year candidates.
"Penske Racing has a very successful relationship with the Dodge brand," commented Allgaier. "I am honored to be one of Dodge Motorsport's drivers and to be able to drive the new Challenger in the NASCAR Nationwide Series is going to be awesome. The car looks great and will give the Nationwide Series its own identity."
2010 Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger merges the best American muscle-car characteristics-unmistakable design, world-class handling, powerful engines and technology-to delight driving enthusiasts across several generations. The two-door coupe accommodates up to five passengers and is produced from the company's proven rear-wheel-drive platform. With three models of head-turning styling, two legendary HEMI® V-8 engine choices, up to 25 highway miles per gallon, more than 25 safety and security features and modern amenities, it's no surprise Dodge Challenger was awarded J.D. Power and Associates "Most Appealing Midsize Sporty Car" in its 2009 APEAL Study.
"The Dodge Challenger has proven to be one of the most sought after high-performance vehicles on the street today," said Dave Bailey, Senior Manager of Motorsports Engineering and SRT Body, Interior and Electrical. "Sharing our consumer's passion for performance through the race version of our Dodge Challenger will continue to showcase the unique engineering brought to our race and production vehicles."
Dodge will continue its support of Penske Racing's three-car operation in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2010 with drivers Kurt Busch, Sam Hornish Jr. and Keselowski.
The No. 12 Dodge Challenger will take part in Monday's NASCAR Nationwide test session at Talladega Superspeedway for the "new cars" with Allgaier driving.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
JDM Life 12:26PM (10/31/2009)
Look mean.
Cant remember the last time I sat and watched Nascar for more then 10 mins....
Reply
Aprime 12:38PM (10/31/2009)
WOAH IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE AN ACTUAL GRILLE
Too bad it isn't.
Reply
Dan 1:12PM (10/31/2009)
Because a 200 mph daytime oval track racing car totally needs headlights
Aprime 1:15PM (10/31/2009)
Waaaaaah my NASCAR's being made fun of wwaaaaaaaaaaah
vespid82 4:06PM (10/31/2009)
Dan, you do realize not all their races are at daytime though, right?
But yea, the tracks are extremely well lit for the night races. :)
ivanotter 12:36AM (11/02/2009)
Becuase you know something called the National Association for SOCK Car Auto Racing SHOULDN't have, you know, STOCK cars.
Nothing about NASCAR is anything worthy of racing. Hell they still use CARBURETORS how many years after fuel injection?
opmike 12:41PM (10/31/2009)
I really wish NASCAR would consider returning to production based vehicles; especially with the new influx of new RWD models available to consumers. A large array of vehicles stay competitive in the ALMS. I'm sure the governing body could come up with a way to keep everything as competitive as it is now.
Reply
JayP 1:12PM (10/31/2009)
NASCAR has already sold it's soul. The COT was the signature in blood.
Back in the day, it was about hanging a hat on Olds, Buick, Chevy, Ford, Mercury... not on Cheetos, M&Ms and pretty boy drivers.
I had a chance to see a GrandAm GS Camaro last weekend. Throw the Mustang and Challenger in there and I'd watch them race, whatever the venue- oval or road course.
Elmo 3:20AM (11/03/2009)
@JayP:
those aren't Grand Am cars, those are Koni Challenge cars.
by the way, the last race of the Koni Challenge/Grand Am series a few weeks ago had all 3 on the track.
Ray 12:43PM (10/31/2009)
I hate NASCAR just a tiny bit, and I don't think an NASCAR fan should be allowed to say they are a fan of motor racing in any way, but this is a good step for them. At least it LOOK similar to the real car, now they just need to do it in Cup.
Reply
Carlo_Carrera 1:12PM (10/31/2009)
If NASCAR went back to racing real stock cars and those stock cars were the new Mustang, Camaro and Challenger, and threw in three or four road courses during the season their TV ratings would double overnight.
Reply
Hike15 3:13PM (10/31/2009)
We can only dream....
Carlo_Carrera 4:22PM (10/31/2009)
It would be a great dream.
Lee 4:05PM (10/31/2009)
V8 Supercars anyone?
Carlo_Carrera 4:31PM (10/31/2009)
I used to watch Aussie V8s on Speed, how can I watch them now in the USA?
RJ 2:55PM (11/01/2009)
"We can only dream...."
I had a dream...
Hike15 1:11PM (10/31/2009)
Wow a nascar vehicle that almost looks like a stock car. Well compared to all the other nascar vehicles. I guess they are making progress.
Reply
AZZO45b 5:53PM (10/31/2009)
In the front only Hike15... look at the side view of this NASCAR "Challenger"
Hike15 10:33AM (11/01/2009)
I didnt see the other picture until later. But a descent looking front is better than those crap camrys and impalas
tankd0g 1:22PM (10/31/2009)
And once again, V8 Supercar is proven to be superior to Nascar. I just watched all of the Bathurst 1000, Nascar would have to go back 25 years to piece together enough footage to keep me in my seat for 6 hours...
Reply