WATCH: Dodge crowns 'chief donut maker' after US-wide competition

MANILA: Dodge has found its  "chief donut maker" as Preston Patterson of North Carolina wins the series of competitions organized by the American carmaker. 

After months of anticipation and more than 173,500 applications, Dodge said Patterson stood out with his "character and drive in a series of high-stakes challenges."

Dodge's search for the chief donut maker can be watched at DodgeGarage.com and Dodge YouTube channel. 

The chief donut maker will represent Dodge and help share the epic evolutionary journey into the future of electrified muscle from a fan’s perspective, the carmaker stated in a release. 

Meanwhile, the chief donut maker campaign is part of the brand's Never Lift plan, which provides a 24-month road map to Dodge's performance future. 

The competition began with applications in January, then short video submissions due by the end of February. The videos informed the brand’s selection of the top 10 finalists in March.

From there, the finalists were flown out to Radford Racing School for a series of challenges and eliminations that became the basis for the web series now airing on DodgeGarage.com.

The chief donut maker will earn $150,000, receive keys to a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and access to some of the auto industry’s biggest events, all over a one-year commitment.

“After a nearly four-month search for our chief donut maker, we were blown away by our 10 finalists, and how each uniquely embodied the very best of the Dodge brand,” Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis expressed.

“We put our candidates to the test both on and off the track and Preston never lifted, proving that he possesses the knowledge, character and drive to represent the Brotherhood of Muscle.”

“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,” Patterson shared.

“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..."

Dodge announced the winner on what it calls Hemi Day on April 26. The day is celebrated by Dodge and Mopar fans everywhere, and is a reference to the legendary Hemi V8 built from 1964 through the 1971 model year that powered Dodge muscle cars. 

Photos from Dodge

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