Mopar is connecting with fans at the Woodward Dream Cruise. The cruise provides the performance parts unit with a chance to connect with buyers.

The Woodward Dream Cruise has always been a grassroots event inspired by car enthusiasts of every stripe and over the past two decades carmakers have worked to be respectful of the event’s traditions.

But for the people selling performance parts – the parts dedicated automotive enthusiasts need – the Dream Cruise has become an event they don’t want to miss. In fact, the performance parts business, once considered a necessary evil, has grown into a serious business of its own.

Thus FCA’s Mopar unit – and the performance units from General Motors and Ford – will be out in force for the Cruise this year looking to connect with the mad modders running up and down Woodward Avenue.

FCA U.S. will feature a number of cars that have been transformed using pieces from Mopar. The Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak is designed for the track and continues unit’s legacy of offering grassroots drag racers factory-prepped “package cars” for the drag strip. Only 60 vehicles will be produced — 35 supercharged (representing the Mopar brand’s first offering of a supercharged package car) and 25 of the 426 Hemi naturally-aspirated version.

Team Chevrolet Performance is meeting up with dream cruisers during this year's event to promote the brand and its parts.

The supercharged 354-cubic-inch Gen III Hemi engine version of the new Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak will be showcased on Woodward 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker with a Mopar Scat Pack 3 Performance Kit.

The kit is specifically tailored for those looking for extreme performance and available through authorized dealers. Mopar Scat Pack 3 builds off of gains realized by the Scat Pack 1 and 2 kits and delivers benefits of up to 75 more horsepower and 44 lb-ft of torque, the company notes.

This iconic automotive enthusiast event is a logical fit for Michigan-based Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, which will have a substantial display in Birmingham.

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“This is a perfect venue for us to participate in, it’s the ultimate ‘car guy’ gathering and a great chance for us to spend time with people who love everything automotive,” said Ken Lingenfelter, owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering.

“It’s sort of a coming our party,” said Paul Seredynski, spokesman for Ford’s re-organized performance group. “We have a fair amount of stuff from the performance.”

Seredynski noted Ford also plans to sell raffle tickets to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. The raffle prize is a specially configured Ford Focus RS. Ford will again host “Mustang Alley” along Nine Mile Road east of Woodward in Ferndale. This year Ford plans to use Mustang Alley to celebrate the Mustang’s 50th anniversary.

(Click Here for more about makers on display at the Woodward Dream Cruise.)

Ford’s corporate display, along with many Mustang volunteers, will again own Nine Mile in Ferndale with an additional satellite display with vehicles and further up Woodward near 12 Mile.

GM spokeswoman Cristianna Vazquez said Chevrolet is marking its fifth year as the presenting sponsor of the Woodward Dream Cruise with displays in key locations along Woodward Avenue.

The Chevrolet Performance display, located at the northeast corner of Woodward Avenue and 13 Mile Road, actually opened earlier this week to give enthusiasts a look at the parts it can provide for Chevy’s going back decades.

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As an added attraction, the display also includes multiple performance vehicles fresh off the Hot Rod Power Tour, a selection of Chevrolet Performance parts and accessories, and an IndyCar vehicle will be on display.