Show up at the track in an SUV, you're going to stick out like a sore thumb. People might stare, scratch their heads, maybe even chuckle a bit. Don't you have to take the kids to soccer practice or something? Believe it or not, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT has as much of a right to the track as the next sports car — at least, that's what the "SRT" implies. But isn't that assuming too much? Show up at the track in a stock Jeep SRT with nothing but a big ego, it might get a little awkward.
Meet someone who gives the SUV a good name. Alden Beck has raced his modified 2015 Jeep SRT at a couple tracks in California: the Fontana Auto Club Speedway and the Big Willow at Willow Springs Raceway.
"I love it. It's unassuming, loud and very quick — just the way I like it," Alden says. "It turns heads, and people are like, 'What the heck is that doing here... that's awesome!'"
It is awesome. We recently spotted the Jeep SRT at Cars and Coffee Aliso Viejo and knew we wanted to know more. Here's this week's Take 5:
Alden Beck
2015 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SRT
1. Favorite car movie:
"The Dukes of Hazzard" TV show
2. Favorite driving music:
BPM– SiriusXM Radio
3. Best mod to your vehicle:
I bought the car for the exhaust! I have exhaust cut outs from Meisterschaft, so when I go to the track, I open the valves and the exhaust goes up to ludicrous volume! My long tube exhaust headers are from American Racing.
I recently changed my rims to XO Luxury rims with Nitto NT555 G2s on all four corners, which look sick with my dropped suspension springs and links from BWoody. I chose Nitto Tire because they have a good reputation, and I wanted a good cross between a street tire and weekend track tire.
4. Favorite road to drive:
PCH – Big Sur
5. Next automotive adventure:
Improve my track time at Auto Club Speedway
