🕑4 min read
Long before Dodge officially returned to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2001, the brand was already quietly laying the groundwork behind the scenes. One of the most interesting pieces from that effort has now surfaced for sale on BringATrailer, giving Mopar and NASCAR fans a rare chance to own a legitimate piece of Dodge racing history.
The car in question is a Dodge Intrepid stock car that reportedly played a role in Dodge’s NASCAR development program during the 2000 season. According to the listing, the tube-frame chassis was built by Ronnie Hopkins Engineering and utilized by Ray Evernham and NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott as Dodge prepared for its long-awaited return to top-level stock car racing.
Dodge’s Return To NASCAR Was A Big Deal
In this articleâ–¾
Dodge’s Return To NASCAR Was A Big Deal
This Isn’t Just A Static Display Car
Built Like A Real Cup Series Machine
A Rare Opportunity For Mopar Collectors
Previously-Owned Bill Elliott Dodge Intrepid NASCAR Cup Car. (BringATrailer).
For Mopar fans, this wasn’t just another race car program. Dodge had been absent from NASCAR’s premier division since the late 1970s, and the return was a massive moment for the brand. Evernham Motorsports became the face of that comeback effort, with Bill Elliott helping develop the Intrepid race cars before Dodge officially hit the track in 2001.
Finished in a red #9 Dodge Dealers/Evernham Motorsports livery, the car looks exactly like something you would have seen testing during that era. Under current ownership, the car was rewrapped to its current appearance after previously wearing a Dawsonville Moonshine-themed design.
The Intrepid body features classic early-2000s NASCAR styling cues, including headlight graphics, roof stabilizing strips, cooling vents, and a large fixed rear spoiler.
This Isn’t Just A Static Display Car
Previously-Owned Bill Elliott Dodge Intrepid NASCAR Cup Car. (BringATrailer).
Unlike many retired stock cars that spend their lives sitting in collections, this one has continued to see track use. The seller purchased the car from Bill Elliott after a BringATrailer auction back in May 2021 and has since maintained and exercised the car regularly.
Power comes from a naturally aspirated 5.8-liter (358 cubic-inch) Dodge R5 V8 race engine paired with a Jerico four-speed manual transmission. Originally built by legendary engine builder Ernie Elliott, the engine was later rebuilt in April 2022 by Fred Lankford of F.R.E.D. in High Point, North Carolina.
Dyno numbers included with the car show just how serious these NASCAR engines were during the era. The rebuilt R5 V8 reportedly produces 808 horsepower and 537 lb.-ft. of torque. According to the seller, the engine has logged approximately 16 hours of track use since the rebuild.
Built Like A Real Cup Series Machine
Previously-Owned Bill Elliott Dodge Intrepid NASCAR Cup Car. (BringATrailer).
The race-ready setup continues throughout the chassis. Red Aero racing wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle slicks sit over Brembo front brakes and AP Racing rear calipers. The cabin remains purpose-built with dual ButlerBuilt racing seats, Simpson harnesses, a full roll cage, toggle-switch controls, and a massive 10,000-rpm tachometer mounted directly to the cage.
One especially cool detail for collectors is the dashboard signature from Bill Elliott himself, added after the seller purchased the car.
The seller also notes that replacement Pro-System front rotors and Project MU brake pads were installed under current ownership, while the brake calipers were resealed to keep the car track-ready.
A Rare Opportunity For Mopar Collectors
Previously-Owned Bill Elliott Dodge Intrepid NASCAR Cup Car. (BringATrailer).
Vehicles connected to Dodge’s NASCAR comeback program rarely become publicly available, especially examples tied to names like Ray Evernham and Bill Elliott. That alone makes this Intrepid something special.
It’s not often you see a genuine Dodge development stock car that has both historical significance and active track capability. For hardcore NASCAR fans and Mopar collectors alike, this Intrepid checks all the boxes.
The historic Dodge NASCAR racer is currently listed on BringATrailer, with bidding scheduled to end on Sunday, May 31 at 1:45 p.m. EDT. For Mopar racing fans, this may be one of the coolest pieces of modern Dodge motorsports history to hit the market in quite some time.
Dodge Intrepid NASCAR Cup Car Image Gallery:
Robert S. Miller