Sentra that first ran the Grand-Am Cup now races our $2000 Challenge
Photograph courtesy AxeHealey
The key to creating a compelling character in a book, TV show or movie? An equally compelling back story–and this Nissan Sentra is no different.
In the early 2000s, this Nissan was one of two Sentras delivered–as body-in-whites–to Archangel Motorsports to go racing in the 2003 Grand-Am Cup, the support series for the then Grand-Am Series.
While it didn’t find significant success in its professional racing career, the Sentra’s story was far from over, as its engine was later swapped for a Nissan VQ V6.
Fast forward to October 2025, and the Sentra was acquired by GRM forum user AxeHealey. The plan? To take it racing once again, but this time in our Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack, powered by AutoBidMaster and built by Carlyle Tools.
The name of the game is to build the fastest race car possible without spending more than $2000, and then compete with that car in autocroos, drag racing and concours-style judged show (where a decent back story can definitely make a positive impact on your total score).
Build went over the $2000 budget? Want to get some extra seat time in your latest track car? Just bought a car that definitely costs more than $2000? Good news: over-budget entries are welcome to join the fray and compete in the autocross or drag racing sessions–or even both.
Under- or over-budget, they’ll all battle it out for prizes, awards and bragging rights at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, April 18-19.
Think you have the ultimate budget racer? Sign up to compete in the $2000 Challenge today and keep an eye on the $2000 Challenge website for future updates.
Sign up now to secure your entry for the 2026 event and keep an eye on the $2000 Challenge website for future updates.
The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is presented by Tire Rack, powered by Autobidmaster and built by Carlyle Tools, in Association with CRC Industries, Knight's Automotive and BendPak.