Dodge Avenger to run in NASCAR Nextel Cup races in '07

Chrysler Group announced that the Dodge Avenger will race at select events in NASCAR Nextel Cup competition beginning in 2007, joining the Dodge Charger in the Dodge NASCAR racing lineup.

The Dodge Avenger race car debuted alongside the all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger at the North American International Auto Show January 9 in Auburn Hills, Mich. The Dodge Avenger is a mid-size sedan that combines bold, aggressive Dodge styling with innovative interior features, high-levels of safety and reliability, exhilarating performance and excellent fuel efficiency of 30 miles per gallon (32 mpg based on 2007 EPA fuel economy standards).

Dodge drivers Elliott Sadler, of the Dodge Dealers/UAW Evernham Motorsports team, Kurt Busch, of Penske Racing South, and, new to NASCAR, Juan Pablo Montoya of the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates team participated in the announcement.

“With NASCAR Nextel Cup racing two distinct cars for 2007, it makes perfect sense to have the Avenger join the Charger in the Dodge racing family,” said Mike Accavitti, director of Dodge Motorsports and SRT Product Planning, Chrysler Group. “Dodge is all about delivering bold, capable performance, and that will become even more evident when the Avenger hits NASCAR’s race tracks this year.”

The Dodge Avenger race car is scheduled to make its competition debut at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 25 as the Dodge entry in NASCAR’s “Car of Tomorrow” implementation.

NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow is a collaborative effort by the sanctioning body, manufacturers, teams and industry suppliers to develop a safer, less expensive race car using a more common design. The “Car of Tomorrow” design will be phased into NASCAR competition over the next three years, beginning with 16 races in 2007.

During the multi-year phase-in of NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow, the Dodge Charger will continue to race in NASCAR Nextel Cup competition.

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2007 Dodge Avenger NASCAR "Car of Tomorrow" race car   2007 Dodge Avenger NASCAR "Car of Tomorrow" race car   2007 Dodge Avenger NASCAR "Car of Tomorrow" race car   2007 Dodge Avenger NASCAR "Car of Tomorrow" race car   Eric Ridenour, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group, right and Juan Pablo...   Chrysler Group introduced the all-new Dodge Avenger race car at the North...