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The performance brand’s continued involvement in the Sprint Cup Series will be expanded to include three Penske Racing entries: 20-time winner Kurt Busch and his No. 2 Miller Lite Charger will be joined by Sam Hornish, Jr. in the No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger, and now, for his first full season with Penske, Brad Keselowski in the No. 12 Dodge Charger. Dodge President and CEO Ralph Gilles was confident in his boys during the announcement. “The objective is clear,” Gilles declared. “We expect to win races, have drivers in The Chase and compete for the 2010 Sprint Cup Series championship.”

Dodge Racing’s formidable Nationwide Series roster will include Justin Allgaier (‘09 Rookie of the Year winner) in the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger and Brad Keselowski (four-time Nationwide Series event winner) in his No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger. Both Penske teams will be running the complete Nationwide Series schedule. And yes, we’ve heard your vocal requests — the Dodge Challenger will also see some track time during the series, appearing in a number of “New Car” races. NASCAR fans, get ready for a golden year from a reenergized, committed Dodge Motorsports!

2010 looks like it might be Brad Keselowski’s year to take his famous name to new NASCAR heights. Penske Racing announced two key hires on the Keselowski team for next year: Jay Guy will be his crew chief for the NASCAR Cup Series #12 Penske Dodge while Paul Wolfe will lead his Nationwide Series #22 Dodge team. (Former Cup Series crew chief Roy McCauley moves to a leadership role within Penske.)

Keselowski will be entering his first full-time season in the Cup Series, looking to capitalize on the momentum he gained from a successful limited schedule in 2009 — where he captured a thrilling win at Talladega along the way. On the Nationwide side, following his impressive 2009 showing, Keselowski will continue driving in the series full-time in his bid for his first championship.

“Both Jay and Paul have a lot of experience throughout all levels of motorsports competition, and they each seem to get the most out of the teams and drivers that they work with,” Keselowski said. Jay Guy has worked on the Truck, Nationwide, and Cup Series and was most recently crew chief of Regan Smith’s No. 78 Furniture Row Racing car, while Paul Wolfe is a former racer himself who for the past four years was crew chief of the Nationwide Series No. 11 CJM racing team. “I’m really looking forward to working with Jay next season in my first full season of Cup Series competition,” Keselowski said. “We are also excited to race for the Nationwide Series title with Paul and the No. 22 team in 2010.”

He’ll continue to drive the #12 Penske Dodge Charger for the remainder of the NASCAR Cup Series schedule in preparation for his first full time season with the team next year.

Brad is already making headlines in NASCAR.  After a breakout 2008 season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in 2009 he is currently 3rd in the points standings accumulating 4 wins, 20 top 5’s, and 26 top 10 finishes along the way.

The team is looking to Brad to carry on the winning tradition that Dodge and Penske have set forth in the NASCAR Cup Series. He’s starting off at one of the fastest tracks on circuit, the Texas Motor Speedway.

Make sure to keep an eye out for the #12 Penske Dodge Charger, it’s the beginning of a beautiful (and fast-moving) relationship.

Get more details at Brad’s website.

“As the performance brand of our new company, we are excited to expand our relationship with Penske Racing and introduce the iconic Dodge Challenger as our entry into the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Car Brand.  “Motorsports are a significant part of the Dodge brand’s legacy.  Penske Racing has such a rich tradition in motorsports, and our partnership in the Nationwide Series will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the Challenger and offer our loyal Dodge enthusiasts plenty of excitement in this very competitive series next year.”

Penske Racing will field two teams, both running the full-season schedule.  The Dodge Challenger will be used at the four “New Car” races NASCAR has designated, starting at Daytona in July.  At the other 31 events that complete the 35-race season, Penske Racing will field Dodge Chargers as it did this season with the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger driven by Justin Allgaier.  NASCAR is expecting full integration of the “New Car” in 2011. 

Joining Allgaier will be Brad Keselowski in the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge.  He also will compete in the Dodge Challenger for the four designated races and in a Charger for the remainder of the schedule. 

“Today’s announcement further reinforces our relationship and commitment to Dodge Motorsports, and we are excited about our future with this great brand,” said Tim Cindric, President of Penske Racing.  “We believe Dodge’s relationship with Penske Racing will continue to elevate and highlight both our brands and deliver value to Dodge enthusiasts.”

Allgaier, in his rookie season in the Nationwide Series, is currently fifth in the season point standings and the leader among Rookie of the Year candidates.

“Penske Racing has a very successful relationship with the Dodge brand,” commented Allgaier. “I am honored to be one of Dodge Motorsport’s drivers and to be able to drive the new Challenger in the NASCAR Nationwide Series is going to be awesome.  The car looks great and will give the Nationwide Series its own identity.”

2010 Dodge Challenger 
The Dodge Challenger merges the best American muscle-car characteristics—unmistakable design, world-class handling, powerful engines and technology—to delight driving enthusiasts across several generations.  The two-door coupe accommodates up to five passengers and is produced from the company’s proven rear-wheel-drive platform.  With three models of head-turning styling, two legendary HEMI® V-8 engine choices, up to 25 highway miles per gallon, more than 25 safety and security features and modern amenities, it’s no surprise Dodge Challenger was awarded J.D. Power and Associates “Most Appealing Midsize Sporty Car” in its 2009 APEAL Study.

“The Dodge Challenger has proven to be one of the most sought after high-performance vehicles on the street today,” said Dave Bailey, Senior Manager of Motorsports Engineering and SRT Body, Interior and Electrical.  “Sharing our consumer’s passion for performance through the race version of our Dodge Challenger will continue to showcase the unique engineering brought to our race and production vehicles.”

Dodge will continue its support of Penske Racing’s three-car operation in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2010 with drivers Kurt Busch, Sam Hornish Jr. and Keselowski.

The No. 12 Dodge Challenger will take part in Monday’s NASCAR Nationwide test session at Talladega Superspeedway for the “new cars” with Allgaier driving.