Street-legal drag racing at Roadkill Nights returns to Detroit this summer

Dodge and Motor Trend are bringing back legal street racing to Woodward Avenue for the fifth year of Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge, held in connection with Detroit’s annual Woodward Dream Cruise. 

Previous Roadkill Nights have been so successful that this year organizers have expanded it to a two-day affair, running August 9th and 10th. The Cruise, scheduled this year for August 17th,  is billed at the largest one day car event in the world, with tens of thousands of cool cars cruising southeastern Michigan’s main drag.

Centered at the M1 Concourse private track and car condo facility on north Woodward in Pontiac, Michigan, a section of Woodward will be closed by the police to allow drag racing on the famous street’s actual pavement. In addition to the two classes of competition on Saturday, there are special events on Friday, including a Celebrity Showdown Drag Race.

Racers Leah Pritchett and Matt Hagan will be bringing their Dodge/Mopar top fuel rail and Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car respectively. Dodge and Motor Trend are also bringing a number of celebrities from televised car shows and videos. Roadkill co-hosts David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan will also be in attendance. Chris Jacobs, from Overhaulin’ show will be master of ceremonies, and the NHRA’s Brain Lohnes will announce the drag racing. Other automotive celebrities and builders at the event will 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.

Attendees can take thrill rides over 100 mph on the M1 Concourse track in Dodge Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcats, drag race on a simulator in a virtual version of the 800-plus horsepower Challenger SRT Demon, watch dyno pulls, have their kids play in a Kid’s Zone, and watch 11,000-hp Top Fuel and Funny Cars make exhibition passes down the temporary drag strip along with flamethrower and wheelie displays. There will also be a Show ‘n Shine with more than 400 special interest vehicles on display and food trucks for refreshments.

The actual racing will be on Saturday, and it’s a genuine competition with two classes, large tire and small tire, as well as a $15,000 purse for each class. Additionally, $10,000 will be donated to the United Way. If you want to race, you can apply at hotrod.com/events/roadkillnights, where you can also get information on spectator tickets, participating in the Show ‘n Shine, and package information.

Admission to the event is just $10 per person, per day, with two-day passes available for $20. Pontiac residents get a $5 discount if they buy tickets at the gate. Children under 12 are free and a variety of packages are available. Again, check the website for details.

Mark Malmstead – Head of Dodge//SRT Marketing, said, “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. It’s also a great opportunity for participants to race in a sanctioned environment on historic Woodward Ave.”

Of course there is a disclaimer: “Street racing can have serious legal and safety risks. Both Roadkill and Dodge want enthusiasts to enjoy performance driving in a safe, controlled environment, run by professionals with vehicle safety inspections, driver evaluations and track safety.”

Carnival meets car show meets drag meet. What could be bad?