A flame-throwing hot rod does an exhibition run on Woodward Avenue during Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge,
It’s a big week for auto enthusiasts and nearly 50,000 fans flocked to Pontiac, Michigan, north of Detroit, during the past weekend to watch drag racing by amateur drivers willing to test their cars in a race down legendary Woodward Avenue.
“Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge,” which is co-sponsored by the Motor Trend Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, returned to Woodward with an extra night of high-horsepower fun and a record number of attendees from around the country.
“The positive reaction from our fans and continued growth of this one-of-a-kind event fuels our passion to keep delivering products and marketing for performance enthusiasts,” said Tim Kuniskis, Global head of Alfa Romeo and Head of Passenger Cars – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat, FCA – North America.
(Dodge Bringing Drag Racing to Woodward Dream Cruise)
“When we first introduced Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge five years ago as a pop-up car show and drag race, we never imagined it would grow to nearly 50,000 performance enthusiasts over two days,” Kuniskis added.
In all, an estimated 47,000 enthusiasts watched and participated in the event, which is staged a week ahead of the fabled Woodward Dream Cruise.
In addition to cash prizes for the race winners and fastest Dodge cars on the drag strip, the fifth-annual car festival gave attendees the chance to get in the passenger seat of hot cars.
Attendees were able to take a thrill or drift ride in the 707-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and the 717-horsepower Challenger SRT Hellcat, as well as thrill rides in the Durango SRT Pursuit “Speed Trap” concept.
Dodge owners compete against other vehicles in drag races on Woodward Ave. at Roadkill Nights.
(Woodward Dream Cruisers Out Early and Often)
“When we first introduced Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge five years ago as a pop-up car show and drag race, we never imagined it would grow to nearly 50,000 performance enthusiasts over two days
They could also race for the best quarter-mile times in the Challenger SRT Demon simulators. More than 6,800 people experienced these Dodge//SRT vehicles during the two-day event, FCA officials said.
“Last year’s Roadkill Nights was going to be hard to beat but adding an extra event day this year really brought out a whole new level of turnout and excitement for car enthusiasts,” said Michael Deer, Motor Trend Group Automotive Events senior director.
“We appreciate the support from fans in the Pontiac community and around the country who joined us to experience all the drag racing and thrill rides that Roadkill Nights had to offer,”
More than 120 street-legal cars hit the specially prepped 1/8-mile drag strip on Woodward Avenue to compete in high-powered drag racing for cash purse totaling $30,000. The quickest Dodge cars in both the small and large tire categories also took home $5,000 each.