The rally, scheduled for Oct. 7-17 across the landscapes of Utah, Nevada, and California, demands precision over speed. Teams must rely entirely on traditional maps and compasses to survive the course. For the 2026 event, Jeep is leaning on the Desert Rated credentials of the Gladiator Mojave, a vehicle specifically engineered for high-speed sand and rugged trails with its reinforced frame, FOX internal bypass shocks, and hydraulic jounce bumpers.

Nena Barlow brings a decade of competition experience to the driver's seat, while Felton, a professional welder and fabricator, adds technical expertise to the pairing. Beyond their factory-backed effort, the brand is also incentivizing independent participants; Mopar will provide prizes for the top-finishing privateer teams through its FlexCare and Performance Parts divisions. With eight overall wins since the event's inception in 2016, the manufacturer aims to maintain its legacy in a competition that continues to serve as a primary proving ground for its off-road engineering.