Dodge

Although the smallest of the Big Three automakers and now trailing Toyota in the number of drivers fielded, Dodge remains a potent force on the racetrack.

Will Dodge Keep Fielding Race Cars?

The future of Dodge Motorsports is in doubt, given parent Chrysler’s restructuring and pending merger with Fiat SpA. Some have called on Chrysler to quit racing while others understand that putting your cars on the track every weekend is one of the best forms of advertising out there.

Dodge is what is left of three Mopar brands that used to hit the oval on a regular basis. At one time both Plymouth and Chrysler had their cars racing although you can still see the occasional Chrysler 300C at local races and perhaps an old modified Plymouth/Dodge Neon participating in NHRA Racing.

Legendary Chrysler Racing

Dating back to the 1920, Chrysler was already making a name for itself as both an automaker and as a race circuit participant. The newly formed Chrysler entity had recently formed the Plymouth brand and was in the process of developing DeSoto when they acquired Dodge Brothers.

In 1928, at the Le Mans 24 Hour Gran Prix d’Endurance, Chrysler entered a four car team of Series 72 roadsters, taking the third and fourth position behind Bentley and Stutz. That effort began a legendary run for Chrysler vehicles including Dodge which also found itself on the track beside its MOPAR brethren.

During the 1950s, it was the Chrysler C-300 which wowed racing enthusiasts, but it was in the 1960s when MOPAR madness reached its zenith as 426 Hemi V8 engines entered the race. Cars such as the Plymouth Belvedere started to win races but it wasn’t unit the Dodge Charger was fielded in the mid 1960s did people begin to see what Dodge could do.

Dodge Racing Today

With a legacy to live up to, today’s Dodge drivers know that the going is tough regardless of the fate of the company itself.  Though not fielding dominating cars like the Charger 500 or Charger Daytona, today’s Dodges are still winning races with Richard Petty Motorsports and Penske Racing setting the tone.

Among the drivers of MOPAR iron today are Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, Chris Fontaine, Sam Hornish, Jr., Elliott Sadler, Reed Sorenson, Brett Thompson and Jason White.

What Will Fiat Do?

As Fiat becomes more involved in the day to day operations of Chrysler, how will Dodge Motorsports fare? Well, given that Fiat has its own racing history and understands the importance of race track promotions, Dodge could still have a strong presence on the oval and for many years to come.

Regardless, MOPAR madness is now in its ninth decade, a history of auto racing that few can claim and most still envy.

Photo courtesy of Chrysler, LLC.