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While the rights to the first 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 brought $400K at Barrett-Jackson last weekend, we'd rather have the 43rd car built, which will go up on eBay's virtual auction block from February 12 to February 22. Chrysler is working the numerology angle, linking the 43rd Challenger to living legend Richard Petty and the #43 he made famous while driving Mopar stock cars to victory over his long racing career. Pre-qualified bidders will have the opportunity to take home the 43rd Challenger built, which will be the only one finished in B5 Blue in a nod to the Petty Blue (or Corporate Blue) finish that adorned The King's racers. Carbon fiber-look hood stripes, a chrome fuel filler lid and a numbered dash plaque finish this particular one-off appearance package, and the auction winner also gets a VIP Package to this May's Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR race at Darlington. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Petty family's Victory Junction Gang Camp, so it's for a good cause. Wanna bid? Go here to get pre-registered.

[Source: Chrysler]

Ever wonder how it feels to do 165 in a NASCAR stock car? Ever wonder how some people can afford to pay $400 to drive as few as 8 laps at those driving experience sessions? For less than it takes to fill up most full-size SUVs, you can call shotgun with a professional driver for three laps at race-qualifying speeds. The Richard Petty Driving Experience offers Ride-Alongs at more than 20 tracks around the country. Richard Petty Ride-along - $59

Next up: Cows: out. Carbon fiber: in!

Only in Vegas. Madame Tussaud's unveiled their latest ghastly likenesses; we're not sure if the fact that the subjects are still alive makes it more creepy. The work is uncanny in its accuracy and lifelike look, and if you're in Vegas, Tussaud's is a veritable family attraction. The reason for the paraffin-ization of the left-turning legends was the kickoff of this weekend's races at Las Vegas's own Motor Speedway. The flesh and blood Petty and Earnhardt were on hand for the debut of their inanimate doppelgangers at the Neon Garage, though we're not sure if they'll be paying any visits to the exhibit's permanent home at the Venetian. They could roam the exhibit halls and catch glimpses of such luminaries as John Holmes (we're not sure if it's all of "Wad," or a partial model) Siegfried and Roy (before or after the mauling, again, not sure), and of course Fat Elvis. Good times, good times. Now, where's that buffet...

[Source: TCC]

The Goodwood Festival of Speed always assembles a mind-numbingly impressive array of significant sports and racing cars, along with an equally gaudy roster of drivers. And sometimes, Goodwood is the place where those important cars are reunited with their equally important drivers. (Like in 2005, with Bobby Unser, Sr. and the '86 Audi Sport Quattro hill climb car in which he won Pikes Peak.)

2006 is no exception, and spectators are going to have the chance to see The King, Richard Petty himself, run a fully-restored 1972 STP Dodge Charger up the hill. In addition to taking part in the Hill Climb competition, Petty will be delighting fans with exhibition runs on all three days of the festival.

1972 saw Petty win his fourth NASCAR championship and marked the first year of STP's involvement with Petty, which spawned one of the most famous racing liveries ever. Next month, the familiar red, white, and blue #43 car will do what it does best: go fast with The King behind the wheel.

What a thrill.

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]