(June 20, 2019) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Returning to kick off cruise week for 2019, MotorTrend Group’s "Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge" is growing even bigger this year with the addition of Friday night activities, while bringing back legal street drag racing that will lay some rubber down on the iconic Woodward Avenue pavement on Saturday, Aug. 10.

With exhilarating experiences, including thrill rides in the 717-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and the 707-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat models, more participants in the celebrity showdown races, and an overall $40,000 purse with $10,000 going toward United Way, this year’s event is set to deliver more high-octane horsepower and excitement than ever before. 
 
For the fifth year, "Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge" celebrates the Motor City’s automotive culture with its popular legal street drag racing, classic and modern muscle car show, and other fun-filled activities that will take over the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Mich.

The "Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge" is the traditional kick off to southeast Michigan's weeklong celebration of classic cars and car culture.
 
"Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge continues to grow each year since we introduced this event five years ago, so we’re answering enthusiast demand by adding a day of fun so even more people can participate in the celebration of America's muscle car culture,” said Mark Malmstead – head of Dodge//SRT. “It’s also a great opportunity for participants to race in a sanctioned environment on historic Woodward Ave.”
 
Spectator tickets, Show 'n Shine participation and package information, as well as drag racing applications, are available now at hotrod.com/events/roadkillnights. 


 
With the new addition of Friday night (Aug. 9) activities, fans will meet the drivers of some of the fastest street legal drag cars in America and watch historic Woodward Avenue transform from a street into a drag strip. On Saturday, drag racing returns with two classes, Big Tire and Small Tire, competing for a cash purse of $30,000. As part of the overall $40,000 purse, $10,000 will be awarded to United Way. Both drag racing classes will have the same payout structure with $15,000 as the total purse per class: Winner – $5,000, Runner Up – $1,500, Semi Finalists – $750 (2 payouts), Quarter Finalists – $500 (4 payouts), Fastest Dodge-powered vehicle – $5,000.

Dodge Thrill Ride experiences in the 717-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and 707-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat models will again be in two locations within the M1 Concourse to keep the momentum going. Attendees will have the opportunity to go for the ride of their lives as the supercharged HEMI will punish tires and have them begging for mercy on both the M1 Concourse skid pad and north loop portion of the track.

There will be even more celebrities participating in showdown races this year. Leah Pritchett in her Dodge/Mopar Top Fuel Dragster and Matt Hagan in his Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car will once again heat up the pavement on Woodard Avenue.

Other returning fan favorites include the high-octane virtual head-to-head racing in Dodge Challenger SRT Demon simulators; classic and modern muscle car show; dyno testing; “Roadkill” stunts; flamethrower and wheelstander exhibitions; family-friendly Kid's Zone activities; and an eclectic array of food truck offerings.
 
The drag racing will include numerous TV celebrities battling it out down Woodward Avenue for bragging rights. These include MotorTrend’s hugely popular series “Roadkill” co-hosts David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan. Chris Jacobs of MotorTrend’s Overhaulin’ will emcee the activities, while Brian Lohnes of the NHRA will emcee the drag races. Additional industry celebrity attendees include Cristy Lee and Bogi Lateiner of All Girls Garage, Bill Carlton of Texas Metal, Joe Martin, Amanda Martin and Jayson “Shag” Arrington of Iron Resurrection, Dave Kindig and Kevin Schiele of Bitchin' Rides, and Jared Zimmerman and Lou Santiago of Car Fix.
 
"Roadkill Nights truly brings the thrill of finger-clenching, top-speed drag racing to life on Woodward Avenue, which is why we love to bring this event to our Roadkill fans,” Freiburger said. “Going on our fifth year, we’re adding activities on Friday night so there’s more time for everyone — drag racers, families, foodies and anyone who is looking to have a great day or evening filled with unparalleled fun at an iconic location.”
 
Gates are open for “Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge” on Friday from 3 p.m to 9 p.m. Drift thrill rides will also be available from 3 p.m. to 9 pm. On Saturday, gates are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with Dodge Thrill Rides taking place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and drag racing beginning at 11 a.m.

General admission to the event is $10 per person, per day; $5 per person for Pontiac residents ($5 price available on-site only). Children 12 years and under are free.  Two-day passes area available for $20.
 
Full details for spectator tickets, car show registration, participant registration for drag racing and an extensive range of packages are available now at hotrod.com/events/roadkillnights.