Roadkill Nights in Pontiac adds a road course contest for 2026For the first time, Roadkill Nights will feature two car-racing venues when it kicks off next weekend in Pontiac.The Aug. 8 event will feature the usual high-octane drag races on Woodward Avenue, and now also a road course shootout inside nearby M1 Concourse, the private race track venue."Roadkill Nights is now in its 11th year, and we continue to grow, with double the racing opportunities this year, bringing more action than we've ever put on pavement," Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said in a statement. Dodge puts on the annual summer tradition alongside MotorTrend.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Roadkill races and a surrounding festival, often drawing about 40,000 spectators, continue to shift locations around Pontiac. After taking place on Woodward closer to downtown Pontiac last year, this year the action will once again center on M1 Concourse, though the drag races will run just outside the M1 grounds on Woodward itself.More: Roadkill Nights brings 'controlled mayhem' street races back to downtown PontiacJust like the drag races, the new road course track shootout will feature competition from racers driving a range of makes and models. They will compete in timed runs on a gate-to-gate course, with cash prizes for the top three spots across three classes.Meanwhile, the usual small tire and big tire drag races will take place along with the headliner Dodge Direct Connection Grudge Race. The Grudge Race is where several well-known auto builders and racers face off in customized vehicles. This year, the rules require the Grudge Race competitors to customize a Dodge Charger Scat Pack for the competition.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe festival portion of Roadkill will include a large Dodge Charger car show, celebrating 60 years of the muscle car, plus thrill rides in Chargers and Ram trucks. Ram recently unveiled a new street-focused pickup, the Rumble Bee.Tickets start at $25 with more details at hotrod.com/roadkillnights.lramseth@detroitnews.comThis article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Roadkill Nights in Pontiac adds a road course contest for 2026
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