STREET AND RACING TECHNOLOGY (SRT®) MOTORSPORTS TEAM TO UNVEIL 2013 SPRINT CUP SERIES DODGE CHARGER AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY ON MARCH 11
NASCAR Racing Efforts Now Under SRT® Brand
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (Monday, Feb. 20, 2012) – Chrysler Group’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Motorsports team will unveil its new Dodge Charger for 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition on Sunday, March 11 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS). Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Street and Racing Technology Brand (SRT) and Motorsports, announced the reveal date during a conference call today with the national media.
The reveal will take place in the Neon Garage at LVMS at 10:30 a.m. prior to the running of the Kobalt Tools 400. Along with the 2013 Sprint Cup Series car will be a production 2012 Dodge Charger R/T, giving fans and the media an opportunity to see the many features of the production Charger that have been incorporated into the new race car.
In October 2009, Dodge introduced the Challenger R/T as the “new car” for the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. “The reception for the Dodge Challenger was simply outstanding,” said Gilles. “It’s been another remarkable effort by our SRT Motorsports design and engineering teams and Penske Racing, working together with NASCAR, to achieve a Dodge Charger that embodies so many of the characteristics of the production version. Our team is confident, that even with the iconic design features incorporated into the Sprint Cup car, there has been no compromise in the area of competition.”
Gilles also alerted the media of the realignment of specific motorsports effortS under the SRT Brand and the addition of Beth Paretta as the Director – SRT Brand and Motorsports Marketing and Operations.
SRT Motorsports includes all of Chrysler Group’s NASCAR racing efforts for Dodge and RAM. The engineering and marketing teams are also included under the new SRT Motorsports umbrella. Paretta joins SRT from Aston Martin, where most recently she served as Operations Manager for Aston Martin Lagonda managing sales, marketing, service and events in eastern North America. In 2009, Paretta was included in AutoWeek magazine’s list of ‘10 Secret People’ of the auto industry.
About SRT
Formed in 2002 as one of the industry’s leading in-house automotive performance groups, SRT’s original premise, which is still followed today, was to create the Chrysler Group’s boldest, most distinctive vehicles that delivered benchmark performance. Every SRT vehicle is designed and engineered using five proven hallmarks, including awe-inspiring powertrains; outstanding ride, handling and capability; benchmark braking; aggressive and functional exteriors; and race-inspired and high-performance interiors to remain true to its performance roots. All SRT vehicles are built in low volumes and are targeted at performance-oriented customers.
The 2003 Dodge Viper was the first vehicle to officially wear the SRT badge. Since then, a total of 10 Chrysler Group vehicle nameplates been produced under the SRT performance formula.
For 2012, there are four vehicles in the SRT stable: 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8® 392, Dodge Charger SRT8, Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. The four are world-class performance contenders and embrace the latest in safety technologies and creature comforts. The fifth, the 2013 SRT Viper, will be introduced at the New York Auto Show in April.
