This Retro-Themed 2009 Dodge Charger NASCAR Cup Car Went Unsold At Auction!
Famed Retro Paint Scheme Finished 3rd In 2009 Daytona 500...
We love looking at all different types of Mopar vehicles up for sale, especially race cars. One that caught our eye this past week was this Dodge Charger NASCAR from the “Car of Tomorrow (CoT)” or fifth-generation era stock car. The car was reported raced by veteran NASCAR Cup racer AJ Allmendinger during the 2009 season and has been kept as part of famed NASCAR Champion Bill Elliott’s private collection before being acquired by its current owner in a non-running condition.
Since then, an Evernham-built 5.8-liter (358 cubic-inch) DODGE V8 mated to a G-Force GSR 4-speed manual transmission was equipped. The Evernham powerplant featured an Edelbrock intake manifold, a MSD rev limiter, a Fluidyne aluminum radiator, a Holley fuel pump, a trunk-mounted fuel cell, stainless steel braided lines, and Evernham-branded valve covers. The battery and oil tank have been relocated as well.
The car also features a full roll cage, a rear-mounted fuel cell, a fire suppression system, a Racelogic VBox video system, a fixed-back seat with a RaceQuip harness, a Momo steering wheel, Penske shocks, Hopkins suspension components, AP Racing calipers and slotted rotors, and 15-inch Aero stock car wheels.
As for the history of the car and the team, the 2009 No. 44 Valvoline Dodge Charger team was created as part of a merger between Gillett-Evernham Motorsports (GEM) and Petty Enterprises, to form Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM). The merger created a four-car operation for the 2009 season, and Allmendinger was signed to drive a newly renumbered No. 44 (used by Petty Enterprises for drivers Kyle Petty and Buckshot Jones).
The Petty Blue-colored Valvoline paint scheme was unveiled for the 2009 Daytona 500 and would end up with a 3rd place finish in the “Great American Race”. The team would go on to finish 9th place at Martinsville, however, the team replaced their Dodge’s with Ford Fusions with three races left in the year. The team would finish 24th in the points, and the team would be rebranded as the No. 98 Menards Ford the following year, with Paul Menard at the wheel. It is unsure if this car ran the Daytona 500, Budweiser Shootout, or if it was used as a show car, but nevertheless, the piece marked the end of the Dodge sponsorship for the modern era for Petty. Valvoline would only sponsor three races on the car that year, with the scheme featured on this car only used at Daytona.
In its current state, the car features Hoosier 330/70 slicks, AP Racing calipers fitted over slotted rotors at all four corners, and the car is equipped with Hopkins suspension components as well as Penske shocks that have reportedly been rebuilt. The huge rear wing that the CoT was known for, was removed for a conventional spoiler after NASCAR changed their rules after the rear wing was deemed unsafe after multiple cars got air borne in speedway races.
Unfortunately, bidding for the car only reached $35,000 USD before the auction ended and the car did not meet its set reserve. So there is hope for someone who is looking to buy a piece of modern-era Petty NASCAR Dodge history.
To see more photos and details about the car, you can visit the “Bring A Trailer” page.
No. 44 Valvoline Dodge Charger NASCAR Image Gallery:
