Dodge's competition history in Turismo Carretera dates back to the start of the category in the 1930s, with the 6C Coupé and sister brands Plymouth and DeSoto used.

The GTX ultimately replaced the Polara in the Turismo Carretera field in the 1970s, with its more streamlined coupé design and "Slant-Six" engine favoured by competitors.

To be eligible to compete in the category, the Slant-Six had to be de-tuned from its factory 225in3 capacity and meet an 8:1 compression rate – however its more aerodynamic shape proved advantageous compared to its rivals.

In 1989, to counter the GTXs' dominance, the ACTC approved an increased compression rate of 9:1 for the Ford and Chevrolet models, which had an immediate impact with Fords and Chevrolets winning the next six championships – and whilst Juan Manuel Landa finished runner-up in a GTX in 1992, the damage was done as competitors began to move away from the Dodge product.

Former Formula One driver Miguel Ángel Guerra claimed the first victory for a Cherokee-powered GTX in 1997, albeit under some controversy as weight disparities still persisted between the brands.