Image: www.dragracingonline.com

With the recent announcement of Mopar pulling out of NHRA Pro Stock Drag Racing, they have just released the news that they will be bumping up its support of amateur, non-professional NHRA Sportsman racers with a bunch of new programs and resources for the 2017 season.

Mopar will provide factory-backed support for three supercharged, 354-cubic-inch Dodge Challenger Drag Pak NHRA Sportsman cars that will carry the official Mopar and Dodge colors for the 2017 season. Two will be going to Joe Welch Racing and the third to the team of owner Jeff Teuton and driver Kevin Helms. This duo won the 2015 NHRA Stock Eliminator World Championship in a Drag Pak privately owned by Jeff. These three Drag Pak cars will also be used for developmental purposes as well, giving information and data to help Mopar grow the Dodge Challenger Drag Pak program.

“Amateur Sportsman racers fuel our brand’s involvement in NHRA competition,” said Bill Harry, Head of Marketing, Mopar. “In 2017 we’re backing up those words with new initiatives that prove our commitment to our most dedicated and passionate brand ambassadors. We’re also very excited to work more closely with the Dodge brand in providing select factory-backed support for Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak drivers. This enhanced commitment, combined with our championship-winning relationship with Don Schumacher Racing in Funny Car and Top Fuel, demonstrates that we are focused on NHRA involvement that makes the most sense for the Mopar brand.”

In addition to that, the new “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar Drag Pak Rewards Program” will provide monetary awards to the dedicated amateur racers who compete in their own Challenger Drag Paks. FCA engineers will also attend each of the 24 NHRA National events to provide all Mopar-powered NHRA Sportsman racers with technical advice and guidance. Amateur NHRA Sportsman racers often compete with little or no sponsorship backing and support their racing with their own funds so this will prove to be very beneficial to them! Dodge will also introduce a new brand display on the NHRA Manufacturers Midway at 15 of 24 NHRA National events.

“The Dodge brand has a long, proud tradition in NHRA drag racing dating back to the early 1960s,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars, Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat, FCA North America. “We look forward to extending that tradition by joining forces with Mopar to provide support for select Dodge Challenger Drag Pak NHRA Sportsman teams for the 2017 season. Our new Dodge display at 15 NHRA events will also give us a great opportunity to connect with the performance-loving enthusiasts who truly embrace and identify with our brand.”