Dodge dropped “Badassadors” announcement ahead of milestone weekend that has muscle car fans frothing
American muscle car enthusiasts have been counting down the days until one of the biggest horsepower celebrations of the year.
Roadkill Nights has become the holy grail event for anyone who lives and breathes high-performance engines and quarter-mile times.
And Dodge just dropped their new “Badassadors” announcement ahead of the milestone weekend that has muscle car fans frothing.
Dodge reveals new muscle ahead of milestone Roadkill Nights weekend
MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge returns to Woodward Avenue in Pontiac, Michigan this Saturday, August 9, and Dodge isn’t holding back for the 10th anniversary of this street-legal drag racing spectacle.¹
The timing couldn’t be more perfect for muscle car fans.
Dodge announced they’re kicking off the weekend festivities with the public debut of brand new Dodge muscle on Friday, August 8.²
Car enthusiasts who can’t make it to Michigan can still catch all the action through a livestream at YouTube.com/Dodge starting at 11 a.m. ET.³
The reveal sets the stage for what promises to be the biggest Roadkill Nights celebration yet.
This year’s event runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET on Saturday and includes everything from street-legal drag racing on historic Woodward Avenue to NHRA stars performing burnouts in 12,000-horsepower drag cars.⁴
Racing legend Tony Stewart is joining the party this year, along with his wife and fellow NHRA star Leah Pruett.⁵
They’ll be meeting fans and signing autographs at the Direct Connection display from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.⁶
Dodge Badassadors make their debut at the big event
Dodge is also introducing something brand new to the Roadkill Nights experience – the official debut of Dodge Badassadors.⁷
These dedicated car enthusiasts serve as brand ambassadors at automotive gatherings nationwide, spreading the Dodge gospel everywhere from car shows to drag strips.⁸
The lineup features some genuine gearheads who’ve built serious followings in the muscle car community.
Deshown Luckey Jr., known as boostedluckey, commands an audience of 445,000 YouTube subscribers and has racked up more than 47 million views with his automotive content.⁹
The 26-year-old speed demon made his name creating videos about souping up and racing his Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.¹⁰
Jose Pretel created OneBadHellcat, building a massive online following around modern muscle cars that launched in 2021 and now boasts more than 700,000 devoted fans.¹¹
John O’Malley from @BoostedMotorsports has made a name for himself swapping SRT Hellcat engines into various vehicles.¹²
These aren’t just social media influencers – they’re genuine gear heads who eat, sleep, and breathe American muscle.
The event that proves horsepower culture is alive and well
Roadkill Nights represents something special in today’s automotive landscape.
While other car companies chase electric vehicle mandates and environmental regulations, Dodge continues to celebrate raw, unbridled American horsepower.
The event brings street-legal drag racing back to Woodward Avenue, where automotive culture first took root during the muscle car golden age.
Attendees can experience Dodge Thrill Rides in all-new, next-generation Dodge Charger muscle cars.¹³
The Direct Connection Grudge Race returns for the fifth consecutive year, pitting online automotive builders against each other using engines and parts from Direct Connection.¹⁴
NHRA stars Matt Hagan and Leah Pruett will perform burnouts in their 12,000-horsepower drag cars right on Woodward Avenue.¹⁵
For fans who appreciate the heritage side of muscle cars, there’s a car show featuring classic and modern muscle vehicles.¹⁶
Food trucks from local Pontiac vendors will keep everyone fueled up throughout the day.¹⁷
Tickets remain affordable for working families
In an era where many automotive events have priced out average enthusiasts, Roadkill Nights keeps things accessible.
General admission tickets start at just $25.¹⁸
Pontiac residents with valid ID can purchase tickets for an even more affordable $20 at the gate.¹⁹
Children 12 and under get free admission, making it a family-friendly event.²⁰
Veterans receive $5 off regular general admission by using the code "VETS5" at ticket checkout.²¹
Stellantis employees presenting an ID badge at the gate receive free admission, plus free admission for one guest.²²
The reasonable ticket prices reflect Dodge’s understanding that muscle car culture belongs to working Americans, not just wealthy collectors.
Fans who can’t make it to Michigan in person can still catch all the action through a livestream from 4 to 9 p.m. ET on YouTube.com/MotorTrend, YouTube.com/Dodge, and DodgeGarage.com.²³
This weekend’s 10th anniversary celebration proves that American muscle car culture isn’t going anywhere.
While other brands chase trends, Dodge continues to deliver the horsepower and attitude that built this country’s automotive reputation.
For gear heads and speed demons, Roadkill Nights remains the ultimate celebration of everything that makes American muscle cars special.
¹ Stellantis, "Dodge to Reveal New Muscle Ahead of 10th Roadkill Nights, Dodge Badassadors Make Debut at Roadkill Event," PRNewswire, August 6, 2025.
² Ibid.
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