The convergence point where Woodward and West Pike Street intertwine experienced an astonishing and dramatic transformation overnight. It morphed into a sanctioned public-road dragstrip, hosting an assembly of some of the quickest street cars that America has to offer. The spectacle of professional racers engaging in high-speed action was succeeded by an opportunity for onlookers to immerse themselves in the excitement. They indulged in exhilarating Dodge Hellcat drift rides and heart-pounding hot laps.
The Roadkill Nights event escalated its significance this year by introducing the Dodge Direct Connection Grudge Race. This competition thrust six distinct squads into the limelight – Team Sick-Bastards from Detroit, Team Corruptt representing Phoenix, Team Dahminators hailing from Los Angeles, Team Truck Yeah stationed in Kansas City, Team Throtl showcasing San Diego, and Team Soul Snatcher headquartered in Dallas. These teams collaborated with a Dodge Power Brokers dealer to craft a Dodge or Plymouth drag car. They utilized Direct Connection performance components as the foundational elements for their builds. The culmination of their endeavors played out on the drag strip, culminating in Team Corruptt emerging as the ultimate victors.
The triumphant champions, Team Corruptt, featured the seasoned Grudge Race contender Tony Arme as a mentor and the adrenaline-charged novice Kayla Rundle. Together, they embarked on a journey to infuse their 1969 Plymouth Barracuda vehicle with a Direct Connection Hellcrate Redeye 6.2L Supercharged Crate HEMI® engine, complemented by its corresponding engine control unit. Making her debut appearance at Roadkill Nights, Rundle outpaced the 2001 Dodge Viper belonging to Team Throtl’s Quin Clark, who received guidance from Rickie Fernandez. This victory earned Rundle the prestigious title of the 2023 Grudge Race champion. In a notable presence, two-time event conqueror Alex Taylor, who this year participated in the Big Tire category, extended her congratulations to Rundle for her remarkable triumph.
Expressing immense delight, Kayla Rundle conveyed, “After dedicating the past few weeks to the pursuit of this moment, a profound sense of exhilaration enveloped me as I finally took the wheel.” Rundle’s accomplishment in securing the laurels for Team Corruptt in the Dodge Direct Connection Grudge Match embodied her enduring passion for drag racing. As a rookie, female racer, and newcomer to the world of Roadkill Nights, this achievement encapsulated the realization of a long-held aspiration.
The competition unfolded across two categories – the Big Tire class tailored to vehicles with a width exceeding 275mm and the Small Tire class catering to those with a width at or under 275mm. These spirited competitors vied not only for prestige but also for monetary rewards on the freshly minted drag strip at the crossroads of Woodward Avenue and W. Pike St. in Pontiac. As the dust settled, cash prizes of $5,000 were bestowed upon each victor in these classes. Furthermore, the speediest Dodge cars in both categories earned an additional reward of $5,000 each, further amplifying the intensity of the event.
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