Nexen Tire salutes injured veteran with new Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack custom build

As promised earlier this year, Nexen Tire America, Inc., known for manufacturing tires for high performance, passenger vehicle, SUV/light truck, and winter driving applications, has selected the winner of their custom-built Nexen Tire Purple Heart Dodge Challenger R/T through the company’s American Muscle for American Heroes program.

Nexen Tire has awarded the unique muscle car, built with the help of Kenny Pfitzer of Zero to 60 Designs, to retired United States Marine Corps Cpl. Steven Diaz, who in 2005 was severely injured while clearing Improvised Explosive Devices in Iraq.

His injuries, which resulted in loss of sight in his left eye and continued effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a seizure disorder, have not stopped Diaz from continuing to undertake heroic efforts as a retired disabled veteran.

Today, Diaz is serving other injured veterans as co-founder and CEO of Hidden Wounds, an organization that helps “heroes battle the invisible war at home.”

Nexen partnered with the Purple Heart Foundation to select the recipient of the custom-built Challenger R/T, reviewing thousands of nominations from throughout the U.S. According to the tire company, the American Muscle for American Heroes campaign was created as a way of honoring a veteran who received the Purple Heart Medal after sustaining wounds in combat. They also characterize the program as a general expression of gratitude for the safety and security that military personnel provide through their sacrifices.

“I am extremely honored to be selected by Nexen Tire and the Purple Heart Foundation as the recipient of the Nexen Tire Dodge Challenger R/T. This is an incredible vehicle and program that has helped bring important attention to the thousands of combat-wounded veterans across the country who are still suffering from the effects of their injuries,” said Diaz. “I would like to thank Nexen Tire, the Purple Heart organizations and everyone else who came together to make this possible, and I am looking forward to using the Challenger to continue helping my fellow wounded veterans.”

Before selecting Diaz as the recipient, Nexen included the Purple Heart Dodge Challenger R/T among the custom vehicles the company had on display at the 2018 SEMA show. Among the muscle car’s modifications are Nexen Roadian HP Street Sport all-season radial tires, VIS Racing carbon fiber hood, front bumper, deck lid and splitters, an ST Suspensions coilover kit, and a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust system.

The Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack comes standard with Mopar’s 392 cubic-inch displacement Hemi V8 engine, which, according to FCA, makes 485 base horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 475 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,100 rpm.