roadkill nights 2024 schedule pdf release date

Roadkill Nights 2024: Event Overview

MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge returns to M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, on Saturday, August 10, 2024, for its ninth edition. The official schedule PDF was released on July 31, 2024, detailing the event’s activities, including drag racing, thrill rides, and live filming.

1.1 Date and Edition

MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge took place on Saturday, August 10, 2024, marking its ninth edition. The official schedule PDF was released on July 31, 2024, confirming the event’s return to M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan. This year’s festival featured a mix of drag racing, custom car showcases, and interactive experiences, solidifying its reputation as a premier automotive event.

1.2 Location

The ninth edition of Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge was held at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan. This venue provided an immersive experience for attendees, featuring a state-of-the-art facility with ample space for drag racing, car exhibits, and interactive activities. The event leveraged the concourse’s infrastructure to enhance spectator viewing, ensuring a dynamic and engaging atmosphere for all participants and fans. The location played a key role in delivering a memorable experience for automotive enthusiasts.

Main Activities at Roadkill Nights 2024

The event featured drag racing, Direct Connection Grudge Race, Dodge Thrill Rides, and Show N Shine Car Show, offering a diverse and exciting experience for attendees.

2.1 Drag Racing on Woodward Avenue

Drag racing highlighted Roadkill Nights 2024, with Small Tire and Big Tire categories competing. Qualifying sessions began at 11 a.m. ET, narrowing down to the top 8 in each class. The finals concluded by 8:30 p.m. ET, with winner presentations. Special exhibitions featured NHRA champions Matt Hagan and Ida Zetterstöm, showcasing 11,000-hp machines; The event also included a Direct Connection Grudge Race, where influencers raced custom Dodge builds, adding to the adrenaline-packed weekend for over 40,000 attendees.

2.2 Direct Connection Grudge Race

The Direct Connection Grudge Race was a standout attraction at Roadkill Nights 2024, featuring seven competitors handpicked by Dodge. Each team received a brand-new Hurricrate engine, control pack, and additional funds to build their custom Dodge vehicles. The race showcased intense rivalries and innovative builds, with participants documenting their journeys on social media. This high-stakes competition added a unique layer of excitement, blending personal pride with high-performance racing, all under the watchful eyes of thousands of fans at M1 Concourse.

2.3 Dodge Thrill Rides

The Dodge Thrill Rides were a crowd-pleasing highlight at Roadkill Nights 2024, offering fans an adrenaline-packed experience. Starting at 10 a.m. ET, professional drivers showcased their skills, drifting and performing precision maneuvers in Dodge Charger and Challenger vehicles. Attendees could ride shotgun, feeling the power and agility of these iconic cars. The thrill rides ran throughout the day, concluding at 8 p.m. ET, giving everyone ample opportunity to enjoy the excitement. This immersive experience allowed fans to connect with Dodge’s legendary performance in a dynamic, hands-on way.

2.4 Show N Shine Car Show

The Show N Shine Car Show at Roadkill Nights 2024 was a standout attraction, showcasing a variety of custom and modified vehicles. Held in the Vendor Midway, the event featured a sold-out Dodge Cruise-in, where enthusiasts displayed their prized cars. Fans admired the creativity and craftsmanship on display, with everything from classic muscle cars to modern, high-performance vehicles. The show offered a unique opportunity for the car community to come together, celebrate automotive culture, and share their passion for horsepower and style.

Participants and Hosts

Influencers and custom car builders showcased their unique vehicles, while David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan hosted the event, bringing their signature energy and expertise to the stage.

3.1 Influencers and Custom Car Builders

Prominent automotive influencers and skilled custom car builders were central to Roadkill Nights 2024, showcasing their innovative creations. These enthusiasts brought high-performance vehicles to compete in events like the Direct Connection Grudge Race, where they utilized Dodge-provided engines and parts. Their builds were spotlighted during the event, with live exhibitions and fan interactions. Additionally, NHRA champions like Matt Hagan and Ida Zetterström delivered thrilling exhibition runs, further electrifying the atmosphere for attendees.

3.2 Hosts: David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan

David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan, stars of MotorTrend’s Roadkill, hosted the 2024 event, bringing their signature humor and automotive expertise. They filmed a live episode, deconstructing a car in front of thousands of fans. The duo also participated in dragstrip exhibitions, showcasing their builds. Additionally, they engaged with fans during autograph sessions and Q&A segments, enhancing the event’s interactive experience. Their presence added a dynamic layer to the festival, blending entertainment with automotive passion.

Ticket Information

Tickets for Roadkill Nights 2024 were available on the official event page. Spectator and racer tickets included access to drag racing, thrill rides, and live filming on August 10, 2024.

4.1 Spectator Tickets

Spectator tickets for Roadkill Nights 2024 were available on the official event page, granting access to a full day of drag racing, Dodge thrill rides, and the Show N Shine car show. Fans could explore the vendor midway, enjoy live episode filming, and experience the high-energy atmosphere. Gates opened at 10 a.m. ET, with parking shuttles starting at 9:30 a.m. ET. Tickets included access to all activities, making it an unforgettable experience for car enthusiasts and racing fans alike.

4.2 Racer Tickets

Racer tickets for Roadkill Nights 2024 were available on the official event page, allowing participants to register for drag racing categories like Small Tire and Big Tire. Racers needed to purchase tickets in advance to secure their spot in the competition. The official schedule PDF, released on July 31, 2024, provided detailed information on race categories, qualifying times, and event rules. Dodge supported racers with exclusive opportunities, such as the Direct Connection Grudge Race, where influencers competed with custom builds. Racers also gained access to the pits and a chance to be part of the live TV broadcast, making it a unique experience for competitors.

Roadkill Nights 2024 Schedule Highlights

The event featured gates opening at 10 a.m. ET, with drag racing starting at 11 a.m. Highlights included the Direct Connection Grudge Race and Top Fuel exhibitions.

5.1 Gates Open and Thrill Rides Begin

The gates opened at 10 a.m. ET, marking the official start of Roadkill Nights 2024. Dodge Thrill Rides kicked off simultaneously, offering fans unforgettable drifting experiences and high-performance vehicle exhibitions.

5.2 Drag Racing Qualifying Sessions

The dragstrip came to life at 11 a.m. ET with Small Tire and Big Tire racers starting their qualifying rounds. Competitors vied for the top spots, with the Top 8 qualifiers in each category announced at 5:45 p.m. ET. This set the stage for the elimination rounds, showcasing intense head-to-head competition. The qualifying sessions highlighted the skill and power of the vehicles, building excitement for the races ahead.

5.3 Grudge Race Competition

The Direct Connection Grudge Race heated up the afternoon at Roadkill Nights 2024. Seven competitors, including influencers and custom car builders, faced off in a high-stakes battle. Each team received a brand-new Dodge Hurricrate engine and funds to enhance their vehicles. The race, a crowd favorite, showcased intense rivalries and creative builds, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.

5.4 Top Fuel and Funny Car Exhibitions

The Top Fuel and Funny Car exhibitions brought nitro-burning excitement to Roadkill Nights 2024. Four-time NHRA champion Matt Hagan piloted his Tony Stewart Racing Funny Car, while Ida Zetterström, the 2023 FIA/European Top Fuel champion, debuted her JCM Racing Top Fuel car. Both drivers delivered thrilling burnouts and exhibitions, treating fans to the raw power of 11,000-hp machines. The displays showcased the intensity of professional drag racing, leaving the crowd in awe of the speed and spectacle.

5.5 Live Episode Filming and Fan Interaction

The Roadkill TV show filmed a live episode during the event, featuring hosts David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan. They built and tested a car live in front of over 20,000 fans, showcasing their signature creativity. The hosts also interacted with attendees, signing autographs and taking photos in the Ultimate Package VIP area and on the Vendor Midway. Their dragstrip run at 1:55 p.m. ET added an electrifying element to the live filming, blending entertainment with fan engagement seamlessly.

5.6 Closing Ceremonies

The event concluded with a grand closing ceremony, celebrating the day’s excitement. Class winners from the drag racing categories were announced, and trophies were awarded. Fans enjoyed live music and a spectacular fireworks display to wrap up the night. A heartfelt thank-you message from Dodge was shared, expressing gratitude to attendees for making the ninth edition unforgettable. The gates closed at 9 p.m. ET, with parking lot shuttles ending at 9:30 p.m., marking the official end of Roadkill Nights 2024.

Promotions and Media Coverage

MotorTrend promoted the event extensively through live television coverage and social media campaigns, building anticipation and engaging fans with exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes content.

6.1 Live Television Coverage

MotorTrend provided live television coverage of Roadkill Nights 2024, capturing the high-octane action, including drag racing highlights, the Direct Connection Grudge Race, and exhibition runs by Matt Hagan and Ida Zetterström. The broadcast showcased the event’s energy, featuring interviews with participants and hosts, and offered fans at home a front-row seat to the excitement. The live episode of Roadkill, filmed during the event, added an extra layer of engagement, blending entertainment with the thrill of real-time competition.

6.2 Social Media and Online Promotions

Social media platforms buzzed with excitement as MotorTrend and Dodge promoted Roadkill Nights 2024 through engaging content and live updates. The official schedule PDF release was widely shared, generating anticipation among fans. Influencers and custom car builders active on social channels teased their builds, while Dodge showcased its support for racers through online features. Behind-the-scenes insights, sneak peeks, and interactive Q&A sessions with hosts David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan further amplified the event’s online presence, ensuring a strong digital footprint and fan engagement.

Future Announcements

Roadkill Nights is set to return for its 10th anniversary in 2025, promising even more thrilling experiences. Stay tuned for updates on the next edition.

7.1 Upcoming Details for 2025

Roadkill Nights is gearing up for its 10th anniversary in 2025, promising an even more electrifying experience. The event will return to M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, building on the success of its 2024 edition. Fans can expect expanded activities, including drag racing, thrill rides, and interactive experiences. The 2025 schedule is expected to be released in mid-2025, with ticket details and participant announcements following soon after. Stay tuned for updates as the countdown begins for this milestone celebration of automotive passion and performance.