ARCA LEBARON
Table of Contents
In 1989, ARCA racer jerry Churchill began running his self-sponsored Churchill Transport Chrysler LeBaron in events and picked up some Top Ten finishes, plus saw victory at the Kil-Kare Speedway (Xenia, OH) event in 1990. Power came from the Mopar® 355 Circle Track engine, W5 aluminum heads and single plane intake manifold.
Bob Keselowski ran a Joey Arrington prepared 355 Mopar small block engine winning six ARCA races between 1991-93. Faithful to Mopar, he would move on to running a Dodge Ram in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
DODGE RIDES AGAIN
It all started in January of 1999 when DaimlerChrysler Corporation president James P. Holden gave the Winston Cup program his blessings, contingent on the support of Dodge dealers. Soon after the Dodge Dealer Advertising Association came aboard, wheels were put in motion to get the name “Dodge” back out on the tracks and superspeedways of NASCAR. The question became who would run this new Chrysler stock car.
## Mopar’s NASCAR Legacy: A look Back at Dodge’s Winning History
When driver Bill Elliott won the pole at the Daytona 500, it was clear that the Dodge Intrepid was going to be a true contender in NASCAR! This moment shows Evernham and Elliott holding up the trophies in celebration of winning on July 2002 of the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono. Furthermore, when driver Ward Burton (driving for bill Davis Racing) won the prestigious Daytona 500 in 2002, it verified the Dodge teams were strong and winners!
SWITCH TO CHARGER
2005 saw the switch from Intrepid to Charger body,as shown
Dodge’s NASCAR Legacy: A Look Back at a Powerful Partnership
Dodge and NASCAR share a rich history,marked by thrilling victories and a dedicated fanbase. From the early days of stock car racing to the modern era, Dodge has consistently been a force to be reckoned with on the track. Let’s take a look back at some key moments in this enduring partnership.
Early Years & Dominance
Dodge entered NASCAR in 1953, quickly becoming a competitive presence. Drivers like Herb Thomas and Tim Flock secured multiple championships for the brand in the 1950s, establishing Dodge as a dominant force. Throughout the following decades, Dodge continued to achieve success, with legendary drivers like Richard Petty adding to the brand’s winning legacy.
The Modern Era & Brad Keselowski’s Championship
Fast forward to 2012, and Dodge was still making waves in NASCAR. The season culminated in a dramatic championship battle between jimmie Johnson and brad Keselowski. When Johnson’s car suffered engine failure, the championship seemed to fall into Keselowski’s lap – all he needed to do was finish the race. However, Keselowski wasn’t content with simply securing the title by default.
“I wanted to beat Jimmie, even if Jimmie had won the race, he still didn’t beat me on points,” Keselowski explained. “I ran the last 50 laps as hard as I coudl, now this wouldn’t be over my head the rest of my life!”
Keselowski’s determination paid off, securing the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Championship for Dodge. This victory was notably critically important as it marked the final year of Dodge’s factory involvement in the sport. They went out on top, in true Dodge style.Throughout its NASCAR history, Dodge amassed an impressive 217 wins, leaving a lasting impact on the sport and fostering a strong sense of hope among Mopar fans for a potential return.
2013 & Beyond
The 2013 season saw the introduction of the Gen6 car, a new Dodge Charger racecar design unveiled in March of 2012. Unfortunately, Dodge’s departure from NASCAR at the end of the 2012 season meant this new design wouldn’t reach its full potential. With Team Penske switching to Ford, Dodge found itself without a top-tier team, leading to a shift in the corporation’s motorsport priorities.
Challenger Wind Tunnel
[Image of Dodge Challenger in Wind Tunnel]
Dodge’s commitment to performance wasn’t limited to the racetrack.The brand invested heavily in aerodynamic testing and advancement, utilizing wind tunnels to refine the performance of its vehicles – including the iconic Challenger. This dedication to innovation continues to drive Dodge’s pursuit of speed and handling,both on and off the track.
Here’s the Mopar Parts paint scheme for 1998, the #1 Dennis Setzer Dodge Ram truck.
Ram officially announced that for 2026 a return to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racing for the factory, and with fielding five Ram 1500 race trucks all under the umbrella of Kaulig Racing.It all will start Febuary 13, 2026, at the kick-off race at Daytona International Speedway.
like all the trucks on the circuit, overall weight is 3,200 pounds, power comes from an Ilmor NT1 385-cid engine (LSX-block with Holley EFI and Diamond pistons) to provide a competitive and consistent, reliable powerplant for close competition.
