1971-1977
The '71 Dodge Charger was again completely redesignedfeaturing a 115-inch wheelbase and a more rounded shape that was threeinches shorter overall from the previous model. Ray Elder, Bobby Isaac,Buddy Baker, and Bobby Allison all scored wins in the new Charger in itsinaugural NASCAR season. The racing success of the model took off whenRichard Petty, driving the now famous No. 43 STP Dodge, scored all buteight of the nameplate's 45 wins from 1973-1977. While the Charger wasno longer a performance car after 1974, teams continued to campaign itthrough 1977 when Neil Bonnett scored the final win for the nameplate atOntario (California) Motor Speedway on November 20 of that year. In all,13 different drivers steered a Dodge Charger to Victory Lane from1966-1977, with Petty winning 37 events and Isaac 36, most of them inthe famed K&K Insurance Dodge. Pearson has the next best total--17--allscored in the original '66-'67 Dodge Charger.
2005 and Beyond
The new Dodge Charger street car is based on the same LXplatform as the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. It will be introduced asan '06 model and will debut as a four-door sedan, the same as thedeparted Intrepid. Equipped with a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine, the streetversion of the car will have 340 hp under the hood and is expected to gofrom zero to 60 mph in just 6.0 seconds. Our guess is the Dodge Chargersfielded by Evernham Motorsports, Penske South, Ganassi Racing, and therest of the Dodge teams in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series this season willbe a lot faster, just like it's predecessor.
 The '70s were a great time...  The '70s were a great time for Detroit iron inNASCAR, as evidenced by the start of this 1975 event. Richard Petty'sNo. 43 Dodge Charger leads the field to the green beside of BobbyAllison's No. 16 AMC Matador. Look closely and you can also see a Ford,Mercury, Chevy and Oldsmobile in this picture. |
 Neil Bonnett drove this No....  Neil Bonnett drove this No. 5 Jim Stacy Dodge Charger to the final winfor the nameplate at Ontario (California) Motor Speedway on November 20,1977. Here, Bonnett is shown battling David Pearson at Charlotte justone month before the final victory. |
 Richard Petty won more races...  Richard Petty won more races than any driver to pilot a Dodge Charger.He scored 37 NASCAR Grand National victories, one more than Bobby Isaac. |