Charging Across the Country

Sitting inside the Texas Motor Speedway among rows of perfectly polished paint and rumbling engines, Dwan stands beside his F8 Green Charger with the pride of someone who’s found their automotive soulmate. This isn’t just another show car that gets trailered from event to event – this is a machine that’s been driven over 16 hours to be here, and it’s not the first time Dwan, his family and this Charger have driven long distances to an event.

“I bought the car to drive and have fun,” Dwan explains, his enthusiasm evident as he talks about his Charger. “And it’s been nothing but fun and amazing memories over the whole experience I’ve had with this car.”

Dwan’s journey with the Charger carries a poignant backstory that speaks to the complex emotions cars can evoke. 2020 brought changes to his life that would influence his automotive choices in unexpected ways, creating an irony in his current passion that isn’t lost on him. He briefly spoke about his Father during our chat. “He was a Chevy guy,” Dwan reflects with a bit of humor. “And so, for me to be driving a Dodge right now, he’d probably cringe, you know.”

But as Dwan continues, it becomes clear that while the brand loyalty might have been different, the spirit of what his Father would have wanted lives on. “This is exactly what he would want; the horsepower and amazing ride would probably win him over a bit. As soon as I got him behind the wheel, he probably would smile for days.” Even when brand loyalty is there, a cool car is a cool car.

“Even if I was to take it to Vegas or Cali, I would drive it,” he says. “Because that’s what I bought it for, right? This philosophy extends beyond just getting to shows. Dwan genuinely enjoys the driving experience, describing the car as “so fun to drive, like, you wouldn’t believe it.” (Umm, Dwan… This is Dodge Garage. We believe it!) It’s this authentic enthusiasm that makes his story compelling – here’s someone who truly understands that Dodge vehicles are meant to be driven, not just admired.

The Charger wasn’t always the head-turning machine it is today. When Dwan first brought it to Mopar_® Heaven the previous year, it was “bone stock other than the mods you see on the outside, but the engine was all stock.” The transformation since then speaks to the addictive nature of automotive modification.

The exterior modifications are striking and thoughtfully executed. The F8 Green paint job is complemented by carbon fiber elements that maintain their distinctive weave pattern beneath the colored coating. Dwan explains about one of the carbon fiber pieces: “They made it for the Charger. It’s carbon fiber, but I had it painted candy green. So when you look at it, it’s still got the green tint, but you can still see the fibers.” Subtle can still be impactful. And this car is the poster child for subtle details hidden under the striking yellow over green accents.

What becomes clear throughout my conversation with Dwan is how deeply he’s been drawn into the Mopar community. This isn’t just about owning a car; it’s about becoming part of a family of like-minded enthusiasts who share a passion for Dodge and the other brands under the Mopar umbrella.

“I’m so invested in Dodge now, I feel like I’m part of the company,” Dwan laughs, “because so much of my time and effort goes into the Charger.” It’s a sentiment that resonates with many car enthusiasts who find themselves pouring time, money and emotion into their projects.

The community aspect extends beyond just financial investment. Dwan has been involved with Dodge and Mopar since 2008, and he’s witnessed firsthand how the Mopar family operates. “The folks that I’ve met all over the country – once these cars get you, they got you,” he observes. “They got you forever. Once they get a little bit of a hook, you’re not getting away. You’re not getting away at all.” I totally agree with Dwan. The cars piqued my interest and the people kept me coming back for more.

As Dwan continues to modify and enjoy his Charger, his story serves as a reminder of what car culture can be. It’s not about having the most modifications or the rarest vehicle – it’s about the joy of driving, the satisfaction of personalizing something to reflect your own taste, and the community that forms around shared passion.

His Father may have been a Chevy guy, but there’s no doubt he would have appreciated the smile this Dodge puts on his son’s face. Sometimes, the best tribute to those we’ve lost is living fully in the moment, and that’s precisely what Dwan does every time he fires up his Charger and heads down the road. Enthusiasts like Dwan remind us why the rumble of a powerful engine and the connection between driver and machine will always have a place in automotive culture. His Charger isn’t just a car – it’s a rolling celebration of everything that makes driving the vehicles we love passionate and personal.