Dodge returns Charger to Cup competition.

After almost 30 years, the legendary Dodge Charger will return to the track in 2005 as Dodge Motorsports reveals its modern-era version of the model for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series ahead of testing at Daytona.

Riding the waves of Dodge's success in NASCAR Nextel Cup Series racing since returning to the sport in 2001, the new Charger will make its Cup Series debut in the Daytona 500 on 20 February, as four Dodge factory-backed teams, totalling ten drivers, attempt to make the grid for the championship's blue riband event.

"Racing is the core of Dodge's DNA, and we're excited to bring back a car that has an accomplished and heralded record as the Charger," commented Darryl Jackson, the vice-president of marketing for the Dodge brand, "The Charger is firmly woven into the all-American culture and heritage of stock car racing. The all-new model will exhibit a modern upgrade to the same kind of power, performance and style that it represented throughout its gloried stock car history."

The newly-designed Charger represents Dodge Motorsports' modern-day foundation in powerful performance and technical innovation, while retaining original design cues of the baby blue #43 STP entry that NASCAR legend Richard Petty made famous in the 1970s.

The new competition Charger features the same bold styling, signature grille and powerful performance found throughout the marque's line-up, with design cues from the new production vehicle with its crosshair front grille, bold rear fascia and signature rear side windows.

"When the 2005 Dodge Charger race car hits the track in February for its first race, we will be prepared to carry the winning tradition that legends including David Pearson, Bobby Isaac and Richard Petty established with their Chargers in the '60s and '70s," insisted motorsport operations director John Fernandez, "Today's Dodge racing heroes will make the Charger famous again.

"Dodge has an incredible heritage in auto racing, and the return of the Dodge Charger makes the statement that we will continue to make our mark in NASCAR's history books. The new Charger is a natural evolution for the Dodge brand that has our NASCAR Nextel Cup teams energised and eager to start the 2005 season."

The development of the race car was led by Dodge Motorsports Engineering, with the support of each of Dodge's primary Nextel Cup Series teams. Evernham Motorsports, Petty Enterprises, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and Penske Racing South were all involved in the development programme, while much of the on-track testing was done by veteran driver Bill Elliott. NASCAR approved the race car for competition in August.

"While we worked within NASCAR's templates, we found innovative ways to build great horsepower and aerodynamic performance into the Charger," team boss Ray Evernham explained, "We are looking forward to putting the Dodge Charger in the winner's circle of the 2005 Daytona 500."