REPLAY: 10th Annual Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge

If you missed the 10th edition of Roadkill Nights powered by Dodge, don’t worry — you can still catch the full replay of the livestream. This year, Dodge brought the event back to downtown Pontiac, Michigan, and fans were once again treated to a return of legal street drag racing on the legendary Woodward Avenue. For many, it’s more than just a car event — it’s a celebration of one of the most iconic roads in American automotive history.

Why Woodward Avenue Matters –

Woodward Avenue isn’t just another stretch of pavement. In 1909, a mile-long section between 6 Mile and 7 Mile became the first paved road in the nation. By 1916, the entire 27-mile stretch was paved, and in 1919, it became the first place to have a three-color traffic light.

Its location at the heart of the Motor City only adds to its significance. Henry Ford’s home and workshop — where he built his first automobile in 1896 — sat just off Woodward. The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, birthplace of the Model T, is only blocks away. The Dodge Brothers, early suppliers of Ford engines, lived and worked nearby. Chrysler was founded just a few blocks from the avenue in Highland Park, where the company headquarters remained until 1992.

The Birthplace of Cruising Culture –

In the 1950s and ’60s, Woodward was lined with drive-ins and restaurants like the Totem Pole, Big Town, and Ted’s, attracting car lovers from across the area. It became the ultimate cruising strip, with wide lanes, plenty of stoplights, and just enough space for a little friendly competition.

Racing here started with returning GIs in hot rods and everyday folks in their family sedans. Before long, it caught the attention of Detroit’s Big-3 automakers. Engineers from General Motors (GM), Ford, and Chrysler used Woodward to test new parts, from camshafts to carburetors, gauging public reaction in real-time. Chrysler even had a secret “Woodward Garage” skunkworks shop to build and test performance cars, including the very first HEMI® A-Body mule.

From Underground Racing to a Legal Showcase –

Roadkill Nights has turned this once-illegal racing scene into a sanctioned, fan-friendly spectacle that kicks off Woodward Dream Cruise week in Metro Detroit. Created under former Dodge boss (and now Ram CEO) Tim Kuniskis, the event lets fans experience drag racing on the same strip of Woodward that holds so much history.

This year was no different. Fans got their first up-close look at the all-new 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, complete with the new gasoline-powered SIXPACK engine. Thrill rides in the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter HURRICANE I6 High-Output cars wowed the crowd, while Ram showed off its new NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entry.

Social media influencers put the HURRICANE engine to the test in the Grudge Match builds, and NHRA stars Matt Hagan and Leah Pruett lit up Woodward with burnout runs in their 12,000+ horsepower Direct Connection drag cars. Blues-rock guitarist and Mopar enthusiast Kenny Wayne Shepherd even performed the national anthem from the hood of a new Charger Scat Pack — a moment that instantly became a fan favorite.

Why It Matters –

Roadkill Nights isn’t just a motorsports event. It’s an annual reminder that Detroit’s automotive history isn’t locked away in museums — it’s alive, loud, and burning rubber down the same road where engineers, hot rodders, and gearheads once pushed the limits. It connects the past with the present, celebrating everything that makes Woodward Avenue and the Motor City special.

And now, thanks to the replay, anyone can relive it — from the roar of the engines to the smell of tire smoke hanging in the summer air.