Revisiting Dodge's Return to NASCAR

Head over to buyraycon.com/bfm to save 15% off of your order! Today we revisit Dodge's original return to NASCAR and see if a future return is possible.
Huge thanks to Dylan Smith, Ray Evernham, and Mamba Media for making this project possible!
Follow me on Twitter: / blackflagmatter
Follow me on Instagram: / blackflagmatter
Follow me on TikTok: / blackflagsmatter
Black Flags Matter is a channel where we discuss the good and bad of NASCAR history.
I love Motorsports and love to make Motorsports videos that I can think of that will keep you entertained. Subscribe if you want, I would love to have you join my channel!
Race Footage Credits:
redracer1985
jinjabreadman46
SMIFF TV
RaceFan84
Michael McIntyre
Dave W
nascarman History
Swagger Racing
Matthew Sullivan
Randall Dubin
Some Full Races 2017 - 2019
HODIUSDUDE
Keith Lyons
Dumindu Meegahawatte
ESPN
FOX Sports
localdog44
NASCAR
NBC Sports
rowdyeverylap
Sprint9988
KingCuervo88
Interview Credits:
Ray Evernham
Mamba Media
9D Pictures
Thumbnail Image Credits:
ESPN

[@BlackFlagsMatter]

Dodge Charger not Challenger.

[@ST0NE_206]

Everyone loves Chargers! Nothing beats 2008 Chargers. (and of course the classic Daytona Chargers)

[@crosshairimperial4540]

Ryan Newman Nascar 05 chase for the cup intro, Newman the stalker and his viper

[@Tex_Mex_A_Lex]

We don't drive pony cars

[@JulianWall]

Thank you for correcting as a hard core car guy i hate seeing the charger and challenger mixed up

[@reallysuperfathog86]

@@JulianWall how hard core are you bro?

[@user-rl7cw9eg8e]

My heart skipped a beat for a second when I read the title

[@user-cq9qf3nl4w]

Same lmao

[@electricimpulse7]

Saaame

[@wolfgamingnetwork3542]

Well maybe

[@DennyDeliversYT]

Whenever I think of Dodge, I immediately think of *Evernham’s 9 car* first... 🔥 Awesome that y’all got to interview Ray!

[@packisbetter90]

Same. Either Elliott/Kahnes 9s or Atwood and Mayfield 19s.

[@Mike4k_]

I find it funny how Penske dumped dodge right after they won a championship with them

[@pharaohflame315]

It was more of Dodge leaving the sport due to it being a financial drain in part of losses that they were trying to pinch.

[@RJLightning68]

@@pharaohflame315 Though Dodge was still competing in NASCAR in the lower leagues. Eaxmple - the NASCAR PInty's Series.

[@fusion4373]

@@RJLightning68 they were in xfinity until 2018

[@Nc3three]

@@fusion4373 they didn’t give support. It was just an old Dodge chassis used by Carl Long.

[@Smoked_Cheddar]

@@pharaohflame315 Penske was running the entire dodge team. I think it was a better long term move.

[@owenlawrence380]

Ray has honestly been one of the most important people in motor sports history. It’s so cool that you got him on honestly. Great video!

[@mikeup7517]

A really cool moment was Stacy Compton giving up the number 9 to Bill. I'm sure it was much more than a friendly gesture but it was still cool.

[@r_moore20]

Kasey Kahne driving that flagship #9 for all those years was awesome, he was my favorite driver. Him getting that first win at Richmond in 2005 was something I'll never forget.

[@kevinbaker4241]

Kasey Kahne was my favorite driver too. I actually got to meet him and get his autograph when he appeared at a dirt track racing event at Wayne County Speedway in Ohio in 2004. I still have that autographed picture somewhere. It's a shame that he retired before turning 40, but at least he won some races and contended for the Cup several times during his career at both Evernham/Petty and Hendrick Motorsports.

[@jamestaylor4480]

Mine too

[@jamestaylor4480]

@@kevinbaker4241 Mine too

[@deeznutz8221]

mine too

[@ST0NE_206]

You’re the first KZbinr I’ve seen use that “Dumb” song by Nirvana song as background music, and I’m glad at least someone else knows it. I saw a lot of articles about Dodge ‘possibly’ coming back to NASCAR, even articles dating back to 2012.

[@michealviolette8113]

That’s the first thing I noticed

[@syaieya]

Dodge really figured out how to make an excellent looking car before getting shoved into the COT box. I loved seeing the old NASCAR dodges flow down the ARCA and that Xfinity challenger that floated around as a zombie for awhile was honestly the best looking car for a minute.

[@down-airdave6371]

I always thought dodge had the best looking bodies for gen 4, gen 5, and ESPECIALLY gen 6 (f in that chat for the gen 6 charger)… Plus the challenger in xfinity looked amazing

[@NASCARFAN93100]

That is too cool you got Ray Evernham to help out with this vid and even more cool you and The Iceberg have the same sponsor And please do Championship Seasons: Brad Keselowski 2012 considering that it was Dodge's final season in NASCAR for the foreseeable future

[@nascarmanHistory]

Wow, awesome you got Ray! Great job!

[@RJLightning68]

don't think that was Darian who interviewed Ray lol

[@jeffsadowski9244]

Best year for Dodge was 2002 by far: It won the Daytona 500 and Brickyard with two different drivers. Dodge almost won the cup with Marlin and they also racked up a major with Jamie Mac in his 2nd race.

[@GoodOlRoll]

1975

[@Dummyahhselfmustdie]

Ah yes, when evernham petty, enterprises bill Davis racing, and chip ganassi racing switched to dodge in 01.

[@DixytheGoat9]

And Penske

[@justinkrizenesky]

@@DixytheGoat9 not Penske lol. 2003

[@randomepic6204]

Melling. Fielding Compton's #92 and Dave blaney ran a dodge as well

[@JohnReedy07163]

@@randomepic6204 Blaney was Bill Davis with Ward Burton, they raced Pontiacs in 2000. #22 and #93 were teammates, melling was seperate.

[@randomepic6204]

True but I wasn't including them together as teammates...just who the commenter left out

[@packisbetter90]

I miss Dodge in NASCAR. Those Evernham 9 and 19 schemes were always amazing

[@CC-dq6ck]

Dude really called the charger daytona a challenger🤣🤣🤣😭😭😭

[@randomepic6204]

No...it wasn't. It was a dodge "charger" daytona lmao

[@memyselfandi4339]

@Colin Quirk Umm no, it wasn’t a challenger, it was a charger.

[@Tayd0g]

Glad someone else caught it

[@memyselfandi4339]

@Colin Quirk Uh no, they’re two completely different cars.😂😂😂

[@randomepic6204]

Then dudes gonna delete the comment like bruh

[@raptorhardmind6186]

I really wanted to see a Nascar Ray Evernham throwback, with the right number font.

[@jamesbraun9842]

Kasey Khane did a throw back to his Everham 9 car.

[@tgs2141]

Dodge is actually still in NASCAR, Racing in the NASCAR Pintys Series, since 2012 they’ve won every title except for 2017 and 2020

[@austinreed5805]

If Dodge were to ever return, that may fix NASCAR’s problem with losing cars and teams. Also, Dodge and NASCAR would both benefit with more gains in advertising since the cars would actually be on the track instead of in commercials.

[@acegarcia3719]

I hope to wake up one morning in the future and read a phone nofitication saying "Dodge announces a return to Nascar". And I make this claim not as a MOPAR fanatic, but as a Nascar fanatic, dodge simply deserves to race alongside GM and Ford at the top level of stock car racing, and bringing back a brand of rich history and crazy sports car sprit would simply be a day of rejoice.

[@clipobserver]

Actually, Buddy Arrington was loyal to Dodge until either 1983 or 1984 and that was because NASCAR forced him to change.

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

Marty Robbins always ran Dodges as a part-timer - even when they weren't competitive.

[@tonyschmitz1997]

And Arrington built Dodge engines for Petty right before they went to Evernham engines in ‘05

[@TheCamSays]

Comes for the Dodge NASCAR retrospective. Stays for the Nirvana “Dumb” instrumental.

[@patrickracer43]

Well, BFM is now in the KZbin big leagues with that Raycon sponsorship

[@adamtereska8734]

My favorite Dodge moment was Bill Elliott returning to victory lane.

[@DavidJameson89]

Would have been nice to see Bill lead the Dodge drivers in 2001 since he had the sponsor, but Sterling Marlin did that.

[@salisburythefox8324]

Thunder - David Robidoux Memories of playingg NASCAR 2005 CFTC!!! Glad to hear this again...

[@jak830]

If Dodge were to come back, they would need to do it as soon as possible. That said, I want them to come back so bad. They're my favorite manufacturer in NASCAR, and I think that Dodge will have success if they come back.

[@JohnReedy07163]

The best thing out of Petty and Dodge in 2001 was that 45 paint scheme. I've got the diecast of it. It's sexy. Also the Blaney car was great too. God I love some of these Dodge schemes.

[@acegarcia3719]

The sad part was the driver, Adam Petty was supposed to drive that car and bring that team back to the promised land, but due to his tragic dead all that never happen.

[@JohnReedy07163]

@@acegarcia3719 Yeah I know, he made his Cup debut at Texas 2000 when Jr. Won his first race. I can only imagine how crazy it would have been to see Adam Petty be in there with Johnson, Stewart, Kenseth, and Junior for 20 years.

[@packisbetter90]

To be honest pretty much every scheme in those days were awesome.

[@jasonwhigham335]

Dodge 1977: WE OUT Dodge 2001: h-hey guys we're back Dodge 2012: WE OUT!!! THIS SHIT IS TOO EXPENSIVE

[@DavidJameson89]

Dodge probably realized how badly nascar was straying from real, natural racing.

[@jimb8601]

The gen6 Dodge was a thing of beauty. It’s so sad it never made it into competition.

[@down-airdave6371]

There was a KZbinr that found and bought one of the R&D mules of there gen 6 charger, I very much hope they still have it and plan to build it up in some form

[@andrewcornmesser6385]

My favorite Dodge memory I have to say was that 2001 Daytona 500. I was 12 at the time. I remember Ward Burton being so strong and such a dominant car. When I saw him caught up in the big wreck, I remember sitting there thinking wow, Ward WOULD have won this race. I had only been watching Nascar for a couple years at that point, but that moment represented the beginning of me really starting to understand the sport and know what is going on. That's why it was my favorite memory.

[@racerj2.03]

Dodge's return to Cup racing was 😎 but the Richard Petty superbird era was the most exciting era. The cars were wild looking and the Hemi ruled the tracks!

[@martiniboy1811]

NASCAR hasn't been the same since Dodge left. Hopefully the next gen car will provide the opportunity for Stelantis to allow Dodge to return to the sport. It makes sense from a cultural perspective, and aligns advertising wise as well

[@crosshairimperial4540]

Don't forget iceberg wears them during his marathon.

[@fearandloathingmedia2051]

Iceberg needs to get laid.

[@DepravedCoTApologist]

@@fearandloathingmedia2051 He has a gf

[@gregfrith5058]

Awesome video as always! I miss Dodge so much, but great to remember the good times! By the way, Dodge had 57 wins from 2001-2012. A lot of the modern articles that cite 55 wins can be traced back to articles from August 2012 when the announcement was made that Dodge was leaving; Brad K. won 2 more races after that to total 57 (I have since used multiple stats sites and data sheets to verify the number, it is 57).

[@IrvinAlvarado44]

“Darrian joins the KZbin raycon family signed for 16 races for an undisclosed amount”. Anyways, I have the 9 dodge die cast (abit paint chipped) and honestly as a kid it looked cool that I nudged my parents to buy it. I remember watching dodge a little bit the sterlin marlin hoping out of his car in Daytona that was memorable as a kid.

[@johnvandeventer8668]

Dodge is doing pretty good right now in NHRA

[@smittywjmj]

Dodge's presence in NHRA is a natural advertising opportunity since top-fuel engines are about the closest thing to a modern 426 Hemi you'll find, and Dodge still uses the Hemi name for marketing (even though they haven't made an actual hemispherical-head production engine since 1971). And of course, Dodge keeps trying to get the Challenger to compete with Camaros on the 1/4 mile, so they're all in on drag racing.

[@evanj2400]

I have a new series idea! Iconic Finishes: 2003 darlington spring race

[@mikeup7517]

Totally agree...I was happy for Ricky Craven when he scored that W.

[@jamesbraun9842]

There are a lot of videos on that.

[@lucmcdowell1167]

Dodge got me into NASCAR, my dad was a huge Bill Elliott fan growing up, when I started watching I always pulled for him and then Kasey Kahne took over I was a huge fan of his. Watching Kasey win the All Star Race and Coke 600 in 2008 was my favorite.

[@noelmcewen6516]

Would've loved to have seen that Charger out on the track

[@Jose-Gomez]

Ok. How About This For The 2023 Nascar Season With The Gen-7/Next-Gen Car. Dodge Challenger R/T 392 HEMI. - NASCAR Cup Series. Dodge Charger SRT. - NASCAR Xfinity Series. Dodge RAM REBEL TRX. - NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

[@smittywjmj]

I'm not sure it would do much good to advertise a Cup Series Challenger as a 392 when Cup Series engines are all 358ci. I'd point out that they aren't hemis either, but Dodge hasn't made a real hemi (hemispherical heads) since 1971 anyway.

[@Jose-Gomez]

@@smittywjmj Ok. NASCAR, Has Never EVER Ran, The Dodge Challenger, In The NASCAR Cup Series Before. But, I Would Like To See The DODGE Challenger, In The Cup Series.

[@TheNewChevyRoll48]

If only there was a composite body for the Challenger so that the Zombie Dodges could live on

[@FastEvan47]

My favorite Dodge moment: Ward Burton 2002 Daytona 500! Loved that race!

[@ryangoodwin4967]

I hope Dodge comes back someday

[@darrenplamo804]

me to

[@DupontandLowesWarrior]

Championship Seasons Brad Keselowski 2012

[@JordanVeinotte11]

I’m not a dodge fan but I really think we need them and or more manufacturers back in nascar

[@packisbetter90]

It was amazing those few years we still had Chevy, Ford, Pontiac, and Dodge

[@ZaneBlaney]

After they left in 2012 I wanna see them return in the next generation car in 2022

[@2015BLOXXER]

Me too man

[@ZaneBlaney]

@@2015BLOXXER I'm guessing that penske racing could be the only team could drive dodge

[@BigBadBoy19]

I just remember all throughout the year 2000 the insane amount of promotions and advertising they put towards their program. They did a great job preparing for their return and had a great 2001 season.

[@nathanstroud2223]

"Bill could've easily, easily been a successful fighter pilot if he was not a racecar (driver)." Yeah, about that...

[@thelarry383]

Imagine if Ray never left the 24 team

[@dominicherrera6984]

Jeff mighta made it 7 championships and beat Jimmie to the punch

[@randybobandy5084]

@@dominicherrera6984 if the points system didn't change then Jeff would have had 7 championships instead of Jimmie

[@richall9654]

I grew up "It's Mopar or its no car!" so I miss seeing Dodge out there on the track. Let's hope the next gen car opens the door for there return.

[@The101Point1]

I have a 01 Dodge Neon Dodge Motorsports Edition which was a Commemorative Edition for Dodge going back into NASCAR

[@dillonpierce7599]

I loved that championship in 2012 but those challengers in the nationwide and xfinity series r my favorite cars ever in nascar so far.....

[@kjhova71]

I would love for Dodge to get back into NASCAR. Four manufacturers would be awesome for competition. Hopefully this new car will cost effective for them.

[@chasee3797]

Great music choice man in Dumb by Nirvana, one of my favorite artists! Dodge has been a fixture in NASCAR for the longest time even though they’ve been gone for almost ten years. I hope the come back again as I miss seeing those Chargers on the track.

[@joshuafarmer3467]

Hehe BFM, when you hold up the Raycon case, the brand name is backwards. Atwood WAS RUSHED way too quickly and never given another shot. Marlin was great in 2001. We need Dodge back.

[@uselesspaprclip5057]

Dont tease me like that!😭😭😭

[@mackenziek8383]

I wish Stacy Compton would have had a bit more success. I've been rewatching all of his truck races recently. That RC Cola paint scheme is so iconic

[@JeremyLeech]

A gen 7 challenger would look badass. It’d be the only car I’d use on iRacing lol.

[@brandanhall9943]

I would love to see you cover Brads 2012 Championship.

[@berryboiblast]

Maybe one day down the line, dodge will make a return to NASCAR once again. This probably won’t happen for another decade or so, but still. A man can dream can’t he

[@flyingpizza98]

They need to put Oldsmobile back in NASCAR

[@joboots007]

Still stuck in the Skoal Bandit era,perhaps???

[@packisbetter90]

Oldsmobile died

[@stephenholloway6893]

How can they returned since GM ended the brand in 2004?

[@Ollie31335.]

I miss watching the red 9 and Rays team every week

[@packisbetter90]

Same. Outside of my favorites RCR and Roush Evernham Motorsports was one of my favorite teams

[@lawrencebeeler6273]

It wasn't the Dodge Challenger that led the way in the '70s it was Dodge charger and the Plymouth roadrunner

[@kingsmont]

Super bird

[@g_men2121]

If dodge returns to nascar with the charger for cup and challenger for xfinity, thatd be awesome

[@thomaswilson1062]

Yeah, Ray rocks. Good show.Don't sweat dab, someone I like,love,or respect, I'll shake,been caught tangled, rather dap. Cleaner.More stuff! Go see Bobby A. and ask about northeast and Catamount stadium, airbourn, etc. Twas a reg.

[@fumedrummer]

I bought a red Intrepid back in the day cuz of the stuff in this video. I put the big ram logo on the hood and "Dodge" logos all over it. I loved that car.

[@SuperNASCARrocks]

Hopefully with the Gen 7 car next year maybe Dodge can make a comeback.

[@ChucksPullingVideos]

That 2001 Dodge looked so good on track. Miss it! I actually have a couple of 1/64 die casts of the 9 and the 19 from 2001.

[@joeterzio7175]

One thing I learned from this video: Ray Evernham had a hair transplant somewhere along the way.

[@down-airdave6371]

Even though I'm a Ford guy (and I welcome Toyota), I miss Dodge too.

[@richieosborn2639]

Request: Championship Season: Jeff Gordon 1998 (AKA Gordon Mania)

[@aaronmachado13]

I’m a dodge guy and remember idolizing Richard Petty with his Plymouth of the 60’s and the chargers of the mid 70’s even though i was born in 2002, seeing the rams in the truck series made me wanna own a NASCAR race car. My favorite memory really isn’t a “ dodge” moment but a character of “freak”

[@TheNewsChannel]

They might be dodging NASCAR right now but maybe someday we could see a renaissance. 👀

[@evanwilliams6406]

Dodge has not forgotten about NASCAR. Maybe someday they will be back, under the right conditions, if you will.

[@TEMPLE7D]

I was sad when Dodge withdrew the Viper GTS-R from GTLM/ GTE.

[@forrestrobbins8074]

Melling always ran #9. When ray wanted the number for Bill, Melling chose #92, or 9 as well

[@TheBreadman904]

to think Dodge could've had their first championship in their second year if Sterling Marlin didnt get injured at Kansas

[@desert_hunter83]

Excellent video and interview! Learned a lot about Dodges history in the sport that I never knew and I always learn something listening to Ray E. 🎧 thank you 🏁😎👍🏼

[@wadewacker7276]

Come on Dodge!! You never backed down in the day, show em you still got a set👍

[@kylesanders8472]

I was vibin to some music but the moment I saw this I STOPPED EVERYTHING.

[@Chicken_Wing91]

Seeing that car it makes this of Bill Elliot and Casey Kane

[@leejones8082]

Kinda forgot how fire all the Dodge paint schemes were. That Amaco car is so nice.

[@atlfan48]

There is so much that could be added to this, they went to Petty first, in 1996/97. He is the one that directed them to Ray. Ray actually worked out of Petty in the early days of the return. There is so much more between the lines to what Ray is saying.

[@jamesgibbs4853]

As much as I love Jeremy Mayfield, Ray did Casey dirty.

[@Lol-pb9bx]

DARIAN WITH THE AD READ LETS GO

[@kenzschueler]

I miss Ray, even in the booth. Or pre-race show on ABC or ESPN

[@ShopeeMarketteam]

1:20 "celebrities like rich the kid" Good one

[@T-Rex-nm1se]

If Dodge ever comes back to nascar, they probably would use a hellcat body style for the car

[@austinjohnson9059]

You know your definitely a KZbinr when RayCon sponsors you

[@noviranger239]

You got a SPONSOR!!

[@brianbooher7318]

Evernham shoulda left Kasey kane on the shelf an keep bill in that 9 for another year woulda equald championship

[@josejaviermarmol8712]

I love NASCAR on the track and in commercials.🙏

[@jaymartin4166]

In 1970 I was on the infield at Talladega those Mopars sounded like thunder rounding the turn. Driver's don't have to work the throttle in order to round the bend any longer.

[@aaaaaaab11]

Brad Keselowski 2012 Dodge championship. Can't wait for dodges return to mop the floor once again.

[@forrestrobbins8074]

I felt sick for Atwood at Homestead in 01, still do. He gave that race away. Had he won, he may have never been shoved into that #7. That was the begging of the end for him

[@brentedmiston9325]

To me, Penske made a mistake letting Dodge withdraw after 2012. To be fair, Penske has been very sucessful with Fords since 2013, no doubt about it. But I think it was a missed opportunity to have a single manufacturer all to himself, similar to how Toyota has been almost exclusively to Joe Gibbs Racing. It makes me wonder how things could've played out if Dodge had stuck around after 2012

[@sprinterofblack8186]

Dodge: A manufacturer that has built ludicrous and badass cars like the Daytona and the Viper to show the world how cool they were. I'm STILL waiting on that 10000 RPM, naturally-aspirated, 8 liter V10 Viper. NASCAR 2005 better not be lying to me. If so, I'm a bug-eyed dummy.

[@Cenlafarmtoys]

Dodge returning to Nascar was the reason I started watching Nascar in the first place. Was devastated when they announced they were leaving. Still watch Nascar but don't enjoy it as nearly as much since they left and don't really root for any particular team or driver. Hope they return in the future but I don't see that happening. They are not nearly as big of a car company as they were back in 2001. If it weren't for the charger and challenger I don't think their other vehicles would sell enough to keep the brand going especially now that their pickup truck line is now it's own separate brand.

[@Lubbock_Kid1959]

You should do something like this again but for Pontiac’s last season in 2003

[@down-airdave6371]

They had an amazing 03 Grand Prix body developed for essentially nothing, but props to Ricky Craven for casually using the most iconic finish in NASCAR history to give Pontiac one last moment in the spotlight. Even though it was redundant for GM to have more than just Chevy racing i loved having them and Pontiac for variety.

[@jakethreesixty]

I very distinctly remember seeing a Nascar race from this season on the X-Files and immediately recognized it as a race I had actually watched lmao

[@j.trumancordray308]

The background music being Dumb by Nirvana is awesome

[@studiomg3212]

I always loved how MENACING that early 00s dodge intrepid stock car looked