Dodge has expanded its competition into the racing landscape with its first entry in a high-flying racing series.
Stellantis announced Friday that it will field four entries in Nitrocross, the series co-created by Travis Pastrana. The race vehicle will be the Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X which joins the all-electric Group E class.
The FC1-X is the standard all-electric car used throughout the top series in Nitrocross. It produces 1,070 horsepower and can go from zero to 60 mph in 1.2 seconds.
Lia Block will headline the group of Hornet R/T drivers as she suits up for the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (DRR) team. Her teammates will be Robin Larsson, Fraser McConnell, and Andres Bakkerud.
Welcome to Nitrocross, @Dodge
We’re proud to announce that Dodge has officially joined Group E with @DreyerReinbold and JC Raceteknik for the full 24/25 season. pic.twitter.com/wcksM2D4O8— Nitrocross (@Nitrocross_) September 6, 2024
Block has previous experience competing in the Nitrocross NEXT class. Now, she will become the youngest competitor in the field at 17 years old, and she will be the only female competitor.
Larsson has extensive experience in the Group E class as he has won seven races across the last two seasons and the last two titles. McConnell has won four Group E races in the last two seasons while Bakkerud has won two races.
The Hornet R/T FC1-X will make its competition debut on Saturday and Sunday as Nitrocross takes over Richmond Raceway. This will be the series' first event inside of a NASCAR track.
"Nearly 75% of Nitrocross race fans are between the ages of 18-34, making the series the perfect venue for Dodge to expand its motorsports presence and to showcase the Dodge Hornet to a youthful, enthusiastic new audience," said Matt McAlear, Dodge brand CEO of Stellantis, in a statement.
"We're looking forward to a great inaugural Nitrocross season for the Dodge brand, with a championship-winning organization like the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team carrying the Dodge banner and with fans getting the chance to experience the Dodge Hornet up close and personal through our Dodge Hornet Rally Rides. It all starts at Richmond."
The weekend at Richmond will only be the first event featuring the new Hornet R/T. The Nitrocross season will continue with five more race weekends.
Remaining Nitrocross schedule (Rumble Sports provides free online streaming):
- Utah Motorsports Campus in Salt Lake City (Oct. 5-6)
- Firebird Motorsports Park near Phoenix (Nov. 15-16)
- Miami Marine Stadium (Jan. 11-12)
- Las Vegas course (March 1-2)