Dodge is fueling the fire once again at Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge with the return of the fan-favorite Direct Connection Grudge Race, and for 2025, it’s bigger, louder, and rowdier than ever. Now in its fifth consecutive year, the Grudge Race is introducing an all-new “Outlaw” format, where anything goes—and we mean anything. The only requirement? Every build must be powered by Dodge’s Direct Connection HurriCrate engine and a TorqueFlite8-DC1 transmission.
This means no rules against body swaps or even running non-Mopar shells—as long as that Hurricane twin-turbo is doing the talking under the hood. It’s all about creativity, grit, and going fast.
The Grudge Race lineup for 2025 is officially locked in, and here are the six contenders ready to battle it out:
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Demi Bagby – This 24-year-old athlete, racer, and social media powerhouse is stepping into the ring with a 1987 Buick Grand National. She may be a rookie to Roadkill Nights, but her competitive edge and passion for all things fast make her a serious threat.
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Garrett Dobbs – Known for wheeling his 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT HELLCAT on the strip, Dobbs is going back a bit with a 2005 Dodge Magnum for this year’s build. He’s a hands-on mechanic with the heart of a racer—expect precision and speed.
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Morgan Evans – The defending Grudge Race champ is back and ready to repeat. Known for her metalwork and her love of crusty old trucks, Morgan’s 1987 Dodge D150 is returning to make sure nobody touches her crown without a fight.
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Hooligan Brothers – A four-man wrecking crew out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Hooligan Brothers live for anything wild and sideways. They’re bringing a 1991 Ford Mustang, proving the Grudge Race really does welcome all comers—as long as the powertrain is Dodge.
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Deshown Luckey (aka @boostedluckey) – At 26, Deshown is a content creator, dad, and full-on boost junkie. His weapon of choice is a 2014 Jeep® Grand Cherokee, Direct Connection-modified and ready to light up the launch pad.
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John O’Malley – A racer since childhood and known online as @BoostedMotorsports, John has built a rep for wild engine swaps. This year, he’s going with a 2000 Dodge Viper, HURRICANE-powered and aimed straight at the competition.
Each builder will get VIP access to the Direct Connection Tech hotline at (800) 998-1110, ensuring expert support as they wrench under pressure. Fans can follow every step of the build-up and behind-the-scenes drama at DodgeGarage.com.
More on the Grudge Race and Direct Connection parts is available at DCPerformance.com.
When Roadkill Nights returns to Pontiac on Saturday, August 9th, expect a HURRICANE of horsepower—and a serious showdown in the streets.
You can see last year’s entries below…
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