More than a few people who want to buy the 2006 Dodge Charger remember the King. Dark sunglasses. Cowboy hat. Tall, with an unmistakable gait and an unbelievable knack for winning NASCAR races, back when NASCAR was closer to cow fields than corporate jets. Richard Petty was and is America, man – and if you don’t know him, you’ve been driving an import for much too long. You can add NASCAR Dads all the way from Toledo to Tucson to that list. These guys are getting tired of their Honda Accords, and are waiting – impatiently – for something “American” that contains some value and an equal measure of punch.

The 2006 Dodge Charger is that car. What the 300C is to Snoop, the Charger will be to BBQ and 12 packs – or so they hope. Based on the popular and critical success of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum, vehicles from the same platform and similar in production, the Charger promises to be a hit in much the same way as the Chrysler 300 – just in fewer numbers, and with a more weed-in-the-mouth, Daisy Dukes-and-her-blue-jean-cut-offs sort of vibe.