MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge is taking street-legal drag racing on famed Woodward Avenue to the center of downtown Pontiac, MI, as well as growing the overall footprint of the one-day horsepower festival. The popular enthusiast event is scheduled to take place Aug. 12.
MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge, which set a one-day attendance record of more than 40,000 attendees in 2022, will move the starting line for street-legal drag racing competition to the corner of Woodward Avenue and W. Pike Street in Pontiac.
"We can't wait to bring Roadkill Nights and street-legal drag racing to the heart of downtown Pontiac," said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand CEO – Stellantis. "Roadkill Nights continues to evolve each year, with the Pontiac stop serving as the second of two Roadkill Nights events in 2023. Our little horsepower circus has grown from a grassroots event to a can't-miss event for any true muscle car enthusiast."
MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge, now in its eighth year, will mark its second stop of 2023 with the event's visit to Pontiac. Dodge Last Call Powered by Roadkill Nights Las Vegas, held at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 20, brought the horsepower festival out west for the first time and served as the setting for the helicopter-drop reveal of the 1,025-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, the seventh and final Dodge "Last Call" special-edition vehicle to be revealed.
"With an expanded footprint and a new venue, we are thrilled to bring the excitement of street-legal drag racing and the dynamic experience of MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge to downtown Pontiac," said Eric Schwab, MotorTrend Group's SVP, head of revenue, operations and strategic partnerships. "If you've ever dreamed of witnessing the adrenaline of drag racing on Woodward Avenue, this is the event for you. Whether you're a drag racer, a car enthusiast or simply looking for a fun car festival with your family, Roadkill Nights guarantees an unforgettable experience."
In addition to street-legal drag racing, the second Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge event of 2023 will feature a classic and modern muscle car show, Dodge Thrill Rides, Dodge displays and Dodge performance vehicles, a vendor midway and much more, bringing tens of thousands out to the streets of downtown Pontiac.
"We are thrilled that Roadkill Nights is staying in Pontiac and moving to our downtown," said Mayor Tim Greimel. "The move downtown will reduce noise to residential neighborhoods, while bringing more activity, customers and patrons to support downtown restaurants and other business establishments."
More details on the 2023 MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge event will be shared in the coming weeks.
Source: Stellantis
Abby Andrews