Montoya helps usher in Avenger era.

Juan Pablo Montoya joined fellow NASCAR runners Elliott Sadler and Kurt Busch at the Detroit Motor Show to take the wraps off Dodge's latest addition to the stock car ranks, as the US marque unveiled the Avenger model which will contest the 'Car of Tomorrow' events from 2007.

Sadler, who will drive the #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW entry, and former Nextel Cup champion Busch, who remains with the #2 Miller Lite team this season, were accompanied by the sport's most celebrated rookie - who will pilot the #42 Havoline Texaco Dodge for Chip Ganassi racing - and Dodge executives for the unveiling of both the CoT and the Avenger production car that accompanied it.

The Avenger will run alongside the existing Charger model in Dodge's NASCAR line-up, with the new car scheduled to make its competition debut at Bristol Motor Speedway on 25 March, and run at each CoT-designated event thereafter.

"With the Nextel Cup racing two distinct cars for 2007, it makes perfect sense to have the Avenger join the Charger in the Dodge racing family," explained Chrysler Group motorsports director Mike Accavitti, "Dodge is all about delivering bold, capable performance, and that will become even more evident when the Avenger hits NASCAR's race tracks this year."

The 'Car of Tomorrow' initiative is designed to develop a safer, less expensive race car using a more common design for all competing marques. The CoT era will be phased into NASCAR competition over the next three years, beginning with 16 races in 2007.

"It was really cool to be part of today's announcement," Sadler admitted, "We're looking forward to seeing the Dodge Avenger on track later this year, but it's exciting to get to come to Detroit and introduce the Avenger. Hopefully, we'll get to take it to victory lane later this year."