Legendary comedian and TV host Jay Leno made a lasting impression on a young college student Saturday when he drove his all-new Dodge Challenger SRT® Demon 170 “Last Call” special-edition machine with Grace Beeler in the historic Woodward Dream Cruise.
Leno, a longtime Dodge/Mopar® enthusiast, came to the Motor City to receive his 1,025-horsepower, 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 street car and introduce his new “Jay + Direct Connection Car Care Collection” product line in a special presentation with Dodge Brand CEO Tim Kuniskis. Kunsikis presented the keys to his Octane Red Demon 170 to Leno, the first customer to receive delivery of Dodge’s final special edition muscle vehicle as part of the brand’s “Last Call” lineup.
“I’m a huge fan of Dodge….. to me it’s a great American road car,” said Leno, who drove his new Octane Red Demon 170 next to Kuniskis’ Pitch Black Demon 170 up Woodward Avenue to Birmingham Saturday.
Beeler, in her second year at Kirtland Community College in Grayling, Mich., has been a leading student in the Mopar College Automotive Program (CAP) as she prepares for a future employment as a technician at a Dodge dealership. Beeler was chosen out of a large group of CAP students to ride with Leno from the historic Vinsetta Garage, on a cruise up Woodward to a Dodge luncheon as part the famous Woodward Dream Cruise.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity to ride with Jay in his new Demon 170,” said Beeler. “I never thought something like this could happen to me. I had such a good time! And I want to thank the CAP team for this chance. I’ve learned so much in the program and I’m looking forward to this year’s classes.”
Mopar CAP partners with 100 colleges and technical schools throughout the nation in a curriculum to guide students into the automotive industry in a variety of applications. There are more than 5,000 active students enrolled in Mopar CAP.
By incorporating the Mopar CAP curriculum, schools give students the ability to turn their passion for automotive activities into a career and assist them in gaining training and fundamental knowledge needed to work with some of the hottest vehicles in the industry including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo Brands. Giving students a competitive edge, MOPAR CAP combines hands-on experience and classroom instruction from certified educators.
“The need for these automotive technical skills is intense and the statistics show that demand will only increase over time especially with the shift to electrification,” said Keith Yancy, Director of Performance Institute and Head of Mopar CAP. “The support and partnership Mopar CAP receive from the Dodge Brand at NHRA events, Roadkill Nights and events like this one, show our students how serious we are about helping them reach their potential, and we in turn support our dealers with the technician shortage.”
At selected NHRA national drag racing events, many Mopar CAP students have the opportunity to meet and talk with NHRA drag racing stars Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan of Tony Stewart Racing as well as to network with many Dodge dealership associates who are seeking future auto technicians for their companies.
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