After a lot of research and frustration with local dealerships, I ordered our '09 SRT8 this afternoon at MSRP.

Brilliant Black Metallic Pearlcoat
6 speed Tremec
Option Group 2 (upgraded stereo system)
F1 premium Tires

The dealer indicates that Dodge will begin producing the '09 R/T's in late June - after the '08's are all produced.
He further indicated that the '09 SRT8's are slated to begin production in early September.
The pressure of getting it done is off. Now the wait begins for delivery of our baby - hopefully sometime in mid October.

I'll be grinning a little more every day as the time gets closer.
Big thanks to my wife. Without her, I'd have nothing to look forward to (and I don't mean just the car.....).