Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge – Video – Update
It never gets old. In fact, interest continues to grow as this year’s Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge attracted more than 44,000 enthusiasts from around the country to watch and participate in legal street racing on historic Woodward Avenue.
“Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge is an absolute larger-than-life event that represents what Dodge is all about: power, performance and excitement,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge//SRT, Chrysler, and FIAT, FCA – North America. “Going beyond the need for speed, this event offers an incredible opportunity for pure enthusiasts to come together and share their passion for classic and performance car culture in a sanctioned environment.”
In addition to cash prizes for the fastest racing finalists and Dodge cars on the drag strip, the fourth annual car festival gave passionate car enthusiasts the chance to get in the passenger seat of a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat or Challenger SRT Hellcat for thrill rides and drift rides. Challenger SRT Demon simulators ranked those with the fastest virtual ¼-mile times. The car festival also included a chance to check out more than 250 custom and classic cars in a show ‘n shine and to watch freestyle motocross dyno, flamethrowers and wheelstander exhibitions. Leah Pritchett in her Top Fuel Dragster and Matt Hagan in his Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat NHRA Funny Car wowed the crowd with an exhibition run. Bill Goldberg won the celebrity showdown challenge, taking the $10,000 prize home to his charity Ahero, which connects veterans with patriotic members of local communities by organizing outdoor events and social activities.
“Only the combination of Dodge, the City of Pontiac and a worldwide car phenomenon, such as ROADKILL, can create an event with such amazing energy and atmosphere for so many passionate automotive superfans,” said Motor Trend Group Automotive Events Senior Director Michael Deer. “We appreciate everyone joining us this year for another epic event.”
128 street-legal cars hit the specially prepped 1/8-mile drag strip on Woodward Avenue between Rapid Street and South Boulevard to compete in high-powered drag racing for cash prizes. Racing ended early due to heavy rains, so the top 16 total finalists split $20,000. The quickest Dodge cars in both the small and large tire categories also took home $5,000 each.
Quickest Dodge
James Pranis, Pennsylvania: 1968 Dodge Charger (Big Tire)
Peter Bokedon, Michigan: 1972 Dodge Dart (Small Tire)
Top 8 Finalists (Big Tire)
Gary Box, Ohio: 1965 Chevrolet Corvette
Craig Groebner, Minnesota: 1971 Chevrolet Nova
Leon Hudson, Virginia: 1965 Plymouth Barracuda
Jimmer Kline, Michigan: 1966 Pontiac GTO
Jim Kline III, Michigan: 1996 Chevrolet Arcadian
Mike Mislivec, Michigan: 1982 Pontiac Trans AM
Bryan Rosario, Michigan: 1972 Chevrolet Camaro
Mark McGill, Michigan: 1978 Chevrolet Camaro
Top 8 Finalists (Small Tire)
Peter Bokedon, Michigan: 1972 Dodge Dart
William Gill, Michigan: 1966 Shelby Cobra
Adam Hodson, Indiana: 1973 Chevrolet Camaro
Kenny Laflower, Indiana: 1970 AMC Javelin
John Lopez, Ohio: 1988 Ford Mustang
Justin Spiniolas, Illinois: 1991 GMC Sonoma
Carl Stancell, Michigan: 1984 Chevrolet s10 Blazer
Rick Steinke, Pennsylvania: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle
Fans from all over tuned in to the livestream of Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, totaling 4.1 million views of the event.