The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT® Demon 170 is the first ever production muscle car to run an 8-second quarter mile in stock form, making for one remarkable ride for the driver and passengers. With only 3,300 units built during the Last Call of the 2023 Challenger, getting to ride in one of these monster muscle cars will be an unlikely experience for many people, but 3 Demons Performance plans to offer that experience to Veterans and children while raising money for charity in the process.
You may have read the name of their team and wondered if they have three 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170s. The answer is no – they have four of them – or they will once all four cars have been delivered. Each of those four cars will have a role with 3 Demons Performance to help the company founders, Shane Pitt, Rob Bell, and Josh Winters, to showcase the technology of the Demon 170 at all sorts of events. They plan to use the cars for ride-along events, car shows, and, of course, drag racing, donating 30% of any profits to charity and using one of the cars specifically for ride-alongs for Veterans and children.
We had a chance to talk with Shane Pitt, the man who came up with the initial idea, and asked him how a race team built around four 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170s comes about.
In early 2020, I faced a severe bout of COVID-19, which not only lingered for weeks but also led to unexpected heart complications, significantly impacting my ability to manage our security company. Heeding my doctor’s advice to drastically reduce stress, I made the tough decision to sell the company and focus on my heart health. This period marked a pivotal turning point in my life, both health-wise and in terms of life priorities. A second encounter with COVID-19 further aggravated my heart condition, propelling me to seek a new direction. This pursuit for something enjoyable and meaningful rekindled my long-standing passion for cars when the opportunity with the Demon 170s arose. It was then that I reached out to my two high school friends, Rob and Josh, reuniting after over 25 years since we last collaborated on anything car-related. This venture emerged as the perfect avenue to reignite our shared interest and embark on a new journey together.
He then went on to explain how he met Bell and Winters as a child.
“The origin of the relationships behind 3 Demons Performance goes back to my middle school days. After moving in with my mother after her divorce, I met Rob and Josh in middle school. We bonded over our passion for cars from then on and through high school, spending every moment we could in the school auto shop. Although I initially aimed to break into auto mechanics, I joined an electrical business. However, my love for cars persisted, leading me to rekindle this passion when Dodge announced the Demon 170″.
Pitt then went on to share Bell and Winters’ reactions when he made the initial call with them about his ideas for the race team.
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“The moment we had that first phone call my excitement level went through the roof, I was really in shock. I clearly remember calling Josh afterward to discuss the good news, but I don’t think we said a word as we were both speechless. I think initially I had some doubt that things would come together with so few cars being built and for me, a new addition to the Family was on the way. I had to get some serious buy-in from my better half, Andi. After a long talk one evening she gave me the go-ahead to chase this lifelong dream. The idea of building a race car was just an illusion back when we were in high school but now it looked to become reality. Shane, Josh, and I have always had a great relationship where we can easily communicate and work with one another so I can’t think of two other guys that I would rather be on this journey with.”
“The whole conversation felt like a dream. I asked Mallorie (Josh’s wife) to pinch me to be sure I was awake” said Winters, a U.S. Navy Veteran. “I’m excited to wrench on and drive these Demon 170s and see what they can really do! It’ll be great to have and do something we all dreamed about as kids. I know “Willy” (the late John Williams, the three’s High School Auto shop teacher, and mentor) would be proud”.
With PCR and 3DP, our commitment goes beyond racing and business; we have pledged a substantial portion of our profits to charity, focusing on motorsports, aiding children, and supporting our troops. We are not just about racing but about positively impacting the lives of others and sharing our love for the sport.”
The initial plan was to buy three Demon 170s, which was likely the most difficult aspect of this program. They contacted a handful of dealerships and salespeople, including Mike Long of Ourisman CDJR in Woodbridge, Virginia, and inquired about getting three examples of the thousand-horsepower muscle car. The salesman was skeptical at first, but after a few days, Long let Pitt know that he could get them three Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170s.
Those three allocations allowed 3 Demons Performance (3DP) to move forward with the planning process, including specific uses for each car, which are owned by Pitt Crew Racing (PCR).
• The Drag Racing Car: Operated exclusively by 3DP, dedicated to drag racing. It’s currently undergoing extensive modifications, fueling our excitement for the competitive spirit of the venture.
• The Event and Ride-along Car: Managed by PCR, allowing Rob and Josh to focus on building the race car brand. This car will be used for events, corporate gatherings, and, most importantly, ride-alongs with Active-Duty Military members, Veterans, and children, aligning with our core mission.
• The Show Car: The third Demon, designed to be a showstopper at car events and showcases, highlighting its design and engineering.
After the three had put together their full business plan for the three-car team, they got the opportunity to also buy a fourth 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 to add to the program. That Go Mango SRT Demon 170 will be used for “enhancing our capacity to engage with and support the community.”
Once 3DP has received all four of their 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170s and is operating at full capacity, they will start their program with events in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. “We’re looking at Mason Dixon Dragway as a primary venue for local events, with plans to host larger events and running at races at Maryland International Raceway (MIR),” said Pitt, but their long-term goal is to attend events nationwide.
“I’ve been fortunate to share my life with my wife Cheryl, whom I met around the same time as Rob and Josh. She’s been my partner in life and business for 25 years, and our experience managing small businesses has been invaluable. My love for muscle cars has been a constant, and with this experience, I see 3DP as a way to blend passion with purpose,” said Pitt.
“We’re thrilled about this venture. Rob, our Lead Driver, and Josh, our Crew Chief, are not just partners but also pillars of this dream. We’re grateful for the support from groups like DodgeGarage and others. This venture reaffirms our belief in the power of community.”
You can follow along with the progress of 3 Demons Performance on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or TikTok.
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