Evernham Motorsports and Dodge brought the OEM back to NASCAR Cup Racing in 2002, and throughout the partnership, the automaker used its network of more than 3,000 dealerships to advertise its customer cars. Dodge NASCAR machines were adorned with Ram’s “Grab Life by the Horns” promotion, MOPAR and “Power Days.” Perhaps the most unconventional campaign came in 2002 when Dodge ran a one-off scheme celebrating its most celebrated American supercar, the Viper.

In 2002, Dodge unveiled the restyled, second-generation Viper, dubbed the SRT-10, which replaced the first-gen GTS and RT/10 models. In addition to its more angular bodywork, the 2003 Viper SRT-10 sported a massive 8.3-liter V-10 engine, up from 8.0-liters in the previous model. Dodge touted the 2003 SRT-10 was the “only car in the world with a 500/500/500 performance combination” as its 505-cubic inch engine delivered 500 horsepower and 525 pound-feet of torque. Dodge set a performance goal of 0-60 mph in under four seconds and a top speed of 190 mph.

To further highlight the debut of the ’03 SRT-10, Dodge tapped its leading driver, Bill Elliott, to run a one-off Viper-inspired scheme for the 2002 UAW-GM Quality 500 at Charlotte, then known as Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

The special scheme immediately became one of the most memorable rides of the year. Elliott’s No. 9 Dodge Intrepid wore a snakeskin livery, Viper SRT-10 badging on the hood and quarter panel, dramatic green “headlights” resembling snake eyes and fangs in the Intrepid’s lower grille.

“I’ve got a Dodge Viper at home, but it doesn’t look anything like the Viper I’ll be driving at Charlotte,” Elliott said in a 2002 press release. “The one I have at home doesn’t have two green eyes staring out at me, looking like it’s ready to attack. I’m just glad I’m behind the wheel and that it’s not coming after me on the track. I think the fans will really like it especially once they see what this special Viper can do.”

Unfortunately, like the real Viper, Elliott’s ride seemed to want to shred its tires. Elliott suffered a right-rear tire blowout, which took plenty of bodywork with it, and he limped to a 35^th-place finish nearly 100 laps off the pace. Jamie McMurray, subbing for Sterling Marlin in another Dodge, took home his first Cup victory that night in his second race at NASCAR’s highest level.  

The Intrepid/Viper scheme certainly made its mark as one of the “coolest” rides of the 2002 season, and with a massive production run, it’s easily remembered today through 1/24-scale diecasts. No 1/64 versions were produced. Dodge would probably argue that’s because it would scare kids.   

According to Diecast Registry, 9,084 Lionel ARC Bill Elliott Viper 1/24s were produced. Adding to the total were 600 Elite versions, 600 clear-window banks and 1,860 Mac Tools branded Lionel ARCs for a total of 12,144 units.

Landing one of these diecasts is not expensive proposition, but it might take a bit of searching to find one for sale. Several examples recently sold on eBay and changed hands for $15 to $39. One version, signed by Elliott and Ray Evernham, commanded $55.

Of note, this wasn’t the last connection between an Evernham Motorsports driver, the Dodge Viper and Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Kasey Kahne, who ultimately replaced Elliott, raced a Team Mopar Viper Competition Coupe in the Speed World Challenge GT Round 4 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 2007. Kahne started ninth and placed sixth.