Dodge sets unveiling of 2013 Charger at speedway

Dodge has chosen Las Vegas Motor Speedway to take the wraps off its new Charger that will compete in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology will display the vehicle at 10:30 a.m. March 11 in the Neon Garage at the speedway. The unveiling occurs shortly before the Sprint Cup's Kobalt Tools 400.

"I'm very pleased with the way the car turned out," SRT president and CEO Ralph Gilles said. "We have some issues with drag, obviously, because we've changed it so much. But I think people won't believe their eyes when they're looking at what they think is basically a street car with some flat rubber on it. It will be interesting to see the responses."

Gilles didn't go into details on the changes.

Speedway president Chris Powell, noting that Dodge has been the official vehicle of LVMS since 2001, said video of the unveiling will be shown live to the fans in the stands.

"We're just very appreciative and happy that everyone at Dodge ... has chosen Las Vegas Motor Speedway as the place where the new Dodge Charger will be unveiled," Powell said.

■ UNDER THE LIGHTS -- NASCAR haulers again will parade down the Strip as the unofficial beginning to the weekend's competition.

The haulers will begin at the famous Las Vegas welcome sign on the south end of the Strip at 6 p.m. March 8 and work their way to Sahara Avenue, where they will enter I-15 and head to LVMS.

Also, former "American Idol" contestant Pia Toscano will sing the national anthem before the Sprint Cup race. She competed in Season 10 and is with Interscope Records.

■ SNORE IN PRIMM -- The Southern Nevada Off Road Enthusiasts season opens today with more than 230 drivers -- including Las Vegas Valley locals Pat Dean and C.J. Hutchins -- competing in the Dusty Times Battle at Primm.

Qualifying for unlimited and trophy truck divisions is at 8 a.m. today, and the races Saturday and Sunday begin at 7 a.m. Spectators are permitted behind Buffalo Bill's.

■ AT THE SPEEDWAY -- Street-legal racing at LVMS's The Strip continues at 7 p.m. today. It's open to any licensed driver, who also must provide proof of insurance and ownership, or written permission from the owner. Minors must have a signed parental-consent form.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.