2006 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona Road & Track Test

Maybe Durham, North Carolina was the ideal location to stage the vehicle's media launch, because of such reasons. Many of

The 2006 Charger Daytona will be limited to 8,000 examples with about 10 percent coming to Canada. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

the people in this Southern community still emit that old-world charm that I'm talking about. The location is also fitting due to a general love of stock car racing, now known as NASCAR, or Nextel Cup; or whatever the series is called that happens to be touring through any given Southern town on any given weekend. While such series' have about as much to do with stock cars as a Formula 1 19,000 rpm-capable V10 relates to an everyday Honda Accord, Dodge is a big player and its Charger the model it runs every Sunday.

And yes, the Daytona 500, which takes place on the legendary 2.5-mile tri-oval just off of Interstate 95 on International Speedway Blvd. in Daytona Beach, Florida, remains one of the Nextel Cup's most popular events. The original 1969 Charger Daytona, by the way, might be the quintessential muscle car. It was purely designed to win on Sunday, and fulfilled its mission at Daytona Speedway that year, sweeping first through fourth positions. The version also set a closed-course speed record of 323.646 km/h (201.104 mph) while another Daytona managed 349 km/h (217 mph) at Bonneville.

The 2006 Charger Daytona, which will be limited to 8,000 examples with about 10 percent coming

A rear decklid spoiler sits atop the Charger's Kamm-like tail, while a distinctive front fascia features a chin spoiler, a black honeycomb grille, and "signature heritage R/T badging". (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

to Canada, won't be able to cruise at the same top speed, nor does it feature anything near as racy as the '60s car's aerodynamic add-ons, which included an extended front clip and a massive rear spoiler - tall enough to allow the trunk to open underneath. It does, however, offer some subtle aero upgrades that separate it from its more conservative R/T sibling. A tiny, by comparison, rear decklid spoiler sits atop the Charger's Kamm-like tail, while a distinctive front fascia features a chin spoiler, a black honeycomb grille, and "signature heritage R/T badging".