Dodge Crowns Chief Donut Maker On 26/4, AKA Hemi Day

After a four-month nationwide search, Dodge has crowned its Chief Donut Maker, who will represent the brand during the first year of its Never Lift plan.

Dodge announced the winner on April 26, AKA Hemi Day (4/26), a reference to the muscle car maker’s famed 426 cubic inch V8 engine that was in production from 1964 to 1971.

During a three-episode web series hosted by sportscaster Katie Osborn and champion wrestler Bill Goldberg, contestants were put through a series of challenges at the Radford Racing School to prove their worthiness of the prestigious title. In the second video in the series, the contestant list was narrowed down to just 10 spots.

The nationwide competition saw 173,500 entries, but there can only be one Chief Donut Maker, and that honor goes to Preston Patterson of North Carolina.

Read More: More Than 173,500 People Applied To Be Dodge’s Chief Donut Maker

“To go from a kid who had a poster of a Dodge Viper on my bedroom wall to being handed the keys to a Dodge Challenger Hellcat as my company car is beyond my wildest dreams,” said Patterson. “I’m 100% ready for my first assignment as chief donut maker, and I’m looking forward to representing Dodge and the Brotherhood of Muscle at some epic automotive events in this next year, especially Roadkill Nights this summer.”

Not only does Patterson win the bragging rights of being the brand’s number one tire killer, but he also gets a one-year contract with Dodge worth $150,000. Patterson will represent Dodge for part of the brand’s 24-month evolutionary journey into the future dubbed “Never Lift”, which delves into the future of electrification through the perspective of the fans.

In order to enter, contestants sent in short videos explaining why they were the best person for the job. Entries from all over the United States poured in, with finalists chosen for their embodiment of the spirit of the Dodge Brothers.

Fans can follow @ChiefDonutMakerOfficial on Instagram to keep up with Patterson during his year as Chief Donut Maker.