‘MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge’ to Return in 2023!

Dodge and MotorTrend are bringing back ‘MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge’ for 2023! That was the surprising announcement posted by Dodge earlier today. But why such an early announcement? The American performance brand announced a new format for its popular Direct Connection Grudge Race.

In 2023, Grudge Race competitors will pair up against one another using Direct Connection’s new HurriCrate series of engines introduced earlier today. Derived from the all-new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six-cylinder engine (currently only available in the Jeep® Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer), the engine will be the replacement for the naturally-aspirated HEMI V8s in the next-generation Dodge muscle cars.

“Roadkill Nights just continues to evolve and get better each year, and we knew we were going to run it back next year, so we thought, ‘Why wait?’ We’re announcing right now that our horsepower circus will be coming to town in 2023,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge CEO. “Next year, Dodge Direct Connection Grudge Race competitors will have at the heart of their build projects new Direct Connection HurriCrate engines. Since this is new tech for our enthusiasts, we’re going to give them more time to dial in their race car builds. We can’t wait to see the results next summer during Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge.”

The 2023 Dodge Direct Connection Grudge Race will feature an experienced drag racer and online automotive builder (The Mentor) working together with a “rookie” online builder/racer lacking previous drag-racing experience (The Protégé). The Mentor will “school” The Protégé on building, tuning, and testing their build project before The Protégé ultimately battles it out on the drag strip for the Direct Connection Grudge Race crown during the Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge event.

All competitors will be linked with a Dodge Power Brokers dealer and have VIP access to the Direct Connection Tech hotline at (800) 998-1110 to assist with their build projects.

“We are proud to partner with Dodge and bring back fans to Roadkill Nights in 2023,” said Eric Schwab, MotorTrend Group’s group SVP. “Roadkill Nights truly brings the thrill of fingers-clenching, top-speed drag racing to life. There’s something for everyone — drag racers, families, foodies, and anyone who is looking to have a great day filled with unparalleled fun.” 

Additional details on the 2023 MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge event, including dates, location, and information on the Dodge Direct Connection Grudge Race and event competitors, will be shared later in 2023.