$2000 Challenge: When the Omni doesn’t work out, bring the Daytona

David S.
By David S. Wallens
Feb 28, 2024 | $2000 Challenge, Dodge, Daytona, omni, Dodge Daytona, Dodge Omni

Photography Credit: Mark Langello

Entrant: Matt Lee

Event years: 2005

Budget spent: $1938.90

Last-minute $2000 Challenge entries aren’t new. Two months before the event’s 2005 running, Matt Lee changed horses from a $125 Dodge Omni to this 1986 Dodge Daytona, a $350 purchase. 

While the car looks stuck–definitely Radwood material today–engine work included new injectors, a new computer and a new throttle body plus ported intake and exhaust manifolds. BFG drag radials were fitted as well. The car ran a mid-15 down the quarter-mile while finishing 45th in the 62-car field.

Make your own low-buck memories at the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack, which returns to Gainesville, Florida, April 6-7, 2024. Visit 2000challenge.com for details.

The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is presented by Tire Rack, in association with CRC and Miller, with trophies from ACI Automotive and Performance and TrakkRats.

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Comments
David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
2/29/24 9:27 a.m.

Back in the day, we welcomed so many turbo Dodges to the $2000 Challenge–just an effective, do-it-all package. In fact, JG prepped an GLH for the first one (back when it was the $1500 Challenge). 

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
2/29/24 10:43 a.m.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

I keep seeing so many that I'm starting to want one of those turbo Dodges...

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt UltimaDork
3/2/24 5:22 p.m.
jojo_van said:

This car goes well with my leather handbags

Leather handbags and Dodge Daytonas would be an odd pairing, unless they're very red and very punk rock.

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