HEADLINES: Unstoppable In The Dirt
Drag racers prep for the Scheid Diesel Extravaganza, a Limited Pro Stock Dodge compiles seven consecutive wins, and big problems are brewing at Stellantis.
Everyone knows that winning streaks are hard to come by in the most competitive ranks of diesel truck pulling. Now picture a truck finishing at the front of the pack for seven (7) consecutive hooks. Hopefully the truck you pictured is this one, the “Legal Limits” second-gen Dodge driven by Skyler Leeper. His O’Bryant Diesel Service-built, Dynomite Diesel Products-fueled common-rail Cummins has been cleaning house in the PPL’s western series Limited Pro Stock Diesel Truck Class recently. During the win streak (one of the longest we can remember), Skyler pulled himself out of the hole he dug himself at the beginning of the season and is now Second Place in the 2024 points chase.
Drag Racing
Paul Cato Dials In His Pro Street Dodge Ahead Of SDX
When the ODSS rolls into the Scheid Diesel Extravaganza on August 23-24, Paul Cato’s common-rail second-gen will be ready to go rounds in the 4’s. On a recent trip to nearby US 60 Raceway in Hardinsburg, Kentucky, the current Pro Street points leader zeroed in his truck’s 60-foot times, ultimately getting them back down to where they need to be (1.2s). Paul also claims a new personal best eighth-mile was achieved during the midnight test session—but hasn’t yet disclosed just how quick the wicked Dodge went. Did he dig deeper into the 4.90s, or has he been 4.80s? We’ll find out at Wagler Motorsports Park in less than four weeks.
On The Dyno
Piecing Together A Monster
How do you build a reliable, 1,000-rwhp 6.7L Power Stroke? By using the best parts in the industry. OCD Performance & Offroad did exactly that with this late-model sleeper, a Super Duty that cleared a squeaky-clean 1,015-rwhp aboard the rollers at Truck Source Diesel & Offroad. The Kill Devil Diesel engine assembly, based on a ‘20+ block, heads, and that conceals steel pistons, sports a set of Wagler rods and main caps, a KDD main bearing girdle and ported heads, and an H&S dual fueler system (and billet oil pump) with a DCR high-pressure fuel pump and injectors from S&S Diesel Motorsport. A quick-spooling 64mm/66mm under an 82mm/85mm compound turbo system (both Precision units) is supported by a No Limit Diesel intercooler and piping.
OEM News
Ford’s Super Duty Named “Most Appealing” Heavy-Duty Pickup
According to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study, the 2024 Ford F-series Super Duty is the most appealing large, heavy-duty pickup. Among other metrics, the APEAL study measures a truck owner’s emotional attachment and level of excitement for their new vehicle. Capitalizing on the accolade, Super Duty chief program engineer, Andrew Kernahan, added: “For the people, businesses, first responders and communities that build America, Super Duty is more than a truck. It’s a tool they rely on to get the job done.” The results of the APEAL study come on the heels of J.D. Power also recently naming the 2021 Super Duty the most dependable heavy-duty pickup truck.
What’s On The Horizon For Stellantis?
Just what the heck is going on at Stellantis, parent company of Chrysler (which includes the coveted Ram Trucks brand)? According to Automotive News, after its most recent U.S. earnings reportedly took a huge hit, Stellantis CEO, Carlos Tavares, introduced plans to reduce production and cut vehicle prices. The news comes at a time when Tavares was quoted as saying the automaker is building too many vehicles that require repairs before they can even be transported to dealerships… Additionally, the company still owes Big Brother more than $459 million in civil penalties for failing to meet U.S. fuel economy requirements in 2019 and 2020. Is this as simple as another dark period in Chrysler’s long story of automotive survival, or is a big storm brewing in Detroit? And most importantly, what effect will it have on the heavy-duty Rams we’ve come to love?
Written by Mike McGlothlin
