(August 14, 2015) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Dodge kicked off the 2015 Woodward Dream Cruise festivities with a huge blast, a string of burnouts and screaming fast 1/8-mile drag strip times at the Pontiac Silverdome on Wed., Aug. 12, when the first ever Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge rolled in.

More than 10,000 performance enthusiasts flooded the gates for the free pop-up car festival featuring flashlight drag races and a Show and Shine vehicle display. More than 200 classic and modern muscle cars drag raced on a custom 1/8-mile custom drag strip.

Brandon Phillips of Sterling Heights, Mich., won the ultimate prize, a new 6.2-liter supercharged HEM Hellcat V-8 that produces an unprecedented 707 horsepower, when his 1969 Dodge Super Bee cruised to a winning finish in an old school grudge-style drag race. Dodge fans also lined up to take thrill rides in Dodge Vipers and Charger and and Challenger SRT Hellcats.

The feature race of the night pitted Richard Rawlings’ Gas Monkey Garage custom 1967 Dodge Dart powered by the 707-horsepower Dodge SRT Hellcat powertrain against Roadkill's “General Mayhem” 1968 Dodge Charger, also upfitted with the 707-horsepower Dodge SRT Hellcat powertrain. Gas Monkey’s Dart took the title and earned ultimate bragging rights with the fastest 1/8-mile time of 5.81 seconds (corrected for the quarter-mile to 9.05 seconds).

“The ‘Roadkill Nights powered by Dodge’ came together very organically and in a very short amount of time. Not knowing what to expect, we planned for this to be a one-time-only event, but after experiencing the incredible performance enthusiast turnout, and after hundreds of requests to do it again, we’ve committed to teaming back up with Roadkill to do it again next year,” said Tim Kuniskis, president and CEO, Dodge and SRT Brands. “We don’t know when or where, but trust us, it will be even bigger and better.”

Dodge events continue throughout the Dream Cruise weekend. Dodge Night is Friday night, Aug. 14, when Dodge Charger and Challenger owners and Scat Pack Forum members gather for a car show and get-together from 6-9 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 15, during the Woodward Dream Cruise, Dodge will have thrill rides in Dodge Vipers, Dodge Challenger SRT and Dodge Charger SRT Hellcats, appearances from the Dodge Brothers and the hosts of Roadkill, special appearances from WRIF on-air personalities, a live rock band, games and giveaways, including Woodward Dream Cruise exclusive Dodge T-shirts and stickers.