Dodge makes switch to Charger as its COT model

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Dodge has confirmed that it will race the Charger in the Sprint Cup Series in 2008 and beyond, continuing to add to its rich NASCAR tradition. The Avenger had been used as the make's Car of Tomorrow model in 2007.

 

Dodge has elected to continue the winning tradition that legends David Pearson, Bobby Isaac and Richard Petty established in the 1970s by designating the Charger as the nameplate Dodge teams will use in the Sprint Cup Series next year.

 

"Racing is the core of Dodge's DNA," said Michael Accavitti, the director of Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing. "Dodge has a racing heritage that spans many different nameplates and models, and the Charger is the cornerstone of that heritage.

 

"When NASCAR originally announced the phase-in plan for the Car of Tomorrow, it made sense for Dodge to race the Charger and Avenger. When the decision was made to race only one car next year, we talked with our partners, the more than 2,500 Dodge Dealers across the country, and they expressed overwhelming support for Dodge to continue its motorsports heritage with the Charger nameplate.

 

"Since 2001 when Dodge returned to NASCAR," he added, "the goal has been to win races and ultimately the championship. Those goals have been accomplished with the Charger previously and we are committed to make it happen again."

 

The 2008 Dodge Charger lineup will feature five teams with 12 drivers that are a mixture of seasoned veterans, experienced young talent and champions from other racing series that are newcomers to NASCAR.

 

nascar.com