November 3, 2009

Following yesterday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series “new car” test at Talladega Superspeedway, Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Challenger from Penske Racing, and crew chief Chad Walters had the following comments:

“It’s great to finally get behind the wheel of the new Dodge Challenger race car. It drove so smoothly right from the beginning, and it has only gotten better throughout the day. Dodge and Penske Racing have done an awesome job of developing this race car and I think we’re on the cutting edge of the ‘Car of Tomorrow’ technology in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. I think we’re going to have a good chance of putting this No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Challenger in victory lane at Daytona next year.”

-Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge

“The Dodge Challenger performed great today, especially when we got the opportunity to hook up with some of the other test participants and draft around the race track late in the day. Dodge has developed a great product in this Challenger ‘COT’ car and it looks like Justin is at home behind the wheel. I’m looking forward to seeing it run out front at Daytona in July.”

-Chad Walter, crew chief for the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge

NOTE: Allgaier was one of eight drivers representing the four series manufacturers participating in the test yesterday. It’s the first time the “new car” for the series has been on a track more than 1.5 miles in length. Previous tests were at Richmond International Raceway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway last year.

On Friday (Oct. 30), Dodge announced it will partner with Penske Racing to field two teams in the Nationwide Series in 2010 with Brad Keselowski driving the second entry. The duo will drive Challengers in the four races designated by NASCAR for the “new car” and Chargers for the remainder of the season.