Keating wraps up SRT Viper Cup championship with win at Watkins Glen

Ben Keating rallied from a seventh-place starting position to win the final SRT Viper Cup Series race of the 2012 season Sunday afternoon, Oct. 21, at Watkins Glen International.

Keating, who won the first-ever Dodge Viper Cup race back in July 2010, grabbed the lead on Lap 7 and never looked back. He started the race from the seventh position and by the end of the Lap 1 was running second, just behind leader Louis-Philippe Montour.

Montour, who started eighth, appeared to be Keating’s strongest competitor in the 35-minute, 18-lap event, but on Lap 7, Montour slowed and headed for the pits, the victim of a mechanical issue. That handed the lead to Keating, an advantage he would not relinquish.

Keating said he had a great start to the race and overcame transmission problems to hold on for the victory.

“It was one of the best starts that I’ve ever had,” Keating said. “There was a bunch of oil dry on the track and that’s tough for a standing start. Luckily, I was right behind it and got a really great start. I think I went into the first turn in second place.

“I had major transmission problems,” said Keating. “I was missing shifts all over the place and then I look up and LP (Louis-Philippe Montour) is smoking in front of me. I ended up finishing the race just being able to shift in two places, third and fourth, half the track in fourth and half the track in third. What a way to end the year. My little ol’ ViperExchange.com baby took care of me. Hopefully we win on Sunday and sell some on Monday. Exciting stuff, man.” (file photos) [10/24/2012]

Dart earns 5-star safety rating

The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart has earned a 5-star safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the regulatory agency’s highest grade.

Chrysler Group LLC’s new compact sedan recorded 5-star results in both overall frontal and side-impact crash tests for an overall 5-star score.

“The 5-star safety rating is further evidence that the all-new Dodge Dart is much more than a stylish, fun-to-drive vehicle,” says Reid Bigland, Dodge President and CEO and Chrysler Group’s Head of U.S. Sales. “The Dart represents genuine value, which we at Chrysler recognize is a precious commodity to consumers.”

The crash tests, conducted by NHTSA, reflect a more demanding set of protocols adopted for model-year 2011. Described by the agency as “rigorous” and “tougher,” the tests are designed to more accurately reflect the benefits of today’s more advanced safety technologies.

The Dodge Dart features 10 standard-equipment air bags and one of the auto industry’s highest content-ratios of high-strength steel.

NHTSA’s announcement marks the Dart’s second major safety accolade in recent weeks, having earned a 2012 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. (Chrysler Group LLC photo) [10/24/2012]