Dodge unveils Challenger entry for Nationwide Series
Penske Racing's Justin Allgaier will drive a Dodge Challenger in four NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2010. // David Griffin, NASCAR Scene
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Dodge became the second manufacturer to unveil its NASCAR Nationwide Series new car entry, taking the wraps off the No. 12 Penske Racing Dodge Challenger for driver Justin Allgaier Friday at Talladega Superspeedway.
Ford unveiled its Mustang earlier this month at Roush Fenway Racing. The Nationwide car of tomorrow will appear in four races in 2010, with full implementation in 2011.
Chevrolet’s Impala and Toyota’s Camry will be officially unveiled Saturday at Talladega.
Dodge brought back its Challenger model this year, and Dodge officials said running the “pony car” in the Nationwide Series should help sales of the street version.
“We’re very proud of the look of the car,” said Dave Bailey, senior manager of Dodge motorsports engineering and SRT Body, Interior and Electrical. “It’s great looking. We’ve maximized the brand identity of the vehicle, as well as achieve the aero parity. We feel this is the right opportunity to showcase the Dodge Challenger in this series as the Challenger came back to the market in 2009.”
Dodge and Ford were the only carmakers to use pony cars for its Nationwide cars of tomorrow.
“It looks like a race car,” Penske Racing President Tim Cindric said, “but it also really relates to what’s on the streets right now.”
Penske Racing is the only Dodge team in Nationwide that will get factory support, and it is expanding to two cars for 2010, one for Allgaier and the No. 22 for Brad Keselowski.
Dodge officials said the Charger will be used in the non-COT races next year.
