Firepunk’s Duster Comes Into Its Own: 3.85 at 198 MPH

For a car that has struggled, at times, on big tires when competing in the Outlaw Diesel Super Series, the Firepunk Pro Mod Duster had very few traction or chassis issues with radial tires in the mix at No Mercy 15. Competing in the Radial vs. the World category, driver Larson Miller lowered the diesel door slammer record five (5) times this weekend: 3.94 at 197 mph, 3.90 at 193 mph, 3.89 at 197 mph, 3.87 at 198 mph and 3.85 at 198 mph. The car also put up a best 60-foot time of 0.975 seconds. But perhaps its most impressive feat is the fact that the Exergy-fueled, D&J Precision Machine engine, a 3,600-plus hp billet-aluminum Cummins, has made more than 50 trouble free passes in 2024!

More From No Mercy 15

It was a big week for diesels at South Georgia Motorsports Park. From the Radial Vs. The World, Pro 275, and X275 classes, to Pro Truck N/T, Street Car Braggin’ Rights and the Hot Shot’s Secret 6.0 Index category, compression ignition was well-represented. In the latter class, Skylar Fornes qualified third in his ’07 Ram 2500 with a 6.014 and ultimately made it to the semi finals, while ODSS 5.90 Index regular, Cody Helms, qualified fourth with a 6.015 behind the wheel of his P-pumped second-gen. In the Street Car Braggin’ Rights field, Rick Fletes (pictured) and his Duramax Chevelle put everyone on notice, even setting the Index in his group at 8.69 (quarter-mile). Printing tickets like clockwork, Rick and his LB7-equipped ride made it to the semifinals before suffering a loss.

Diesel Truck Wars

Twice a year, a sea of diesels flood the gates of Northeast Dragway in Hertford, North Carolina for Diesel Truck Wars. Over the weekend, and in addition to top-notch drag racing, DTW boasted a well-attended show ‘n shine and a mobile chassis dyno on site, measuring horsepower. Out on the eighth-mile drag strip, Drew Carter took the win in the ET class while also establishing a new fuel only VP44 Cummins record with his 6.26-second pass. David Hurst traveled south out of Pennsylvania to snag the 7.70 Index victory, Travis Spence won the Singles Elite category behind the wheel of his regular cab Cummins, and Dennis Harnish (shown) earned a $3,000-plus payday with the W in the ultra-competitive 6.70 Index class. Last but certainly not least, Hunter Coffey blasted back onto the scene with fresh safety equipment, a new Wagler power plant, and sent his Dodge through the ‘660 in 5.11 seconds at 149 mph, stealing the show in the Outlaw category.

Hub City Dirt Drags

The fall Hub City Dirt Drags event has become a season-ending staple for many in the diesel industry in recent years, and for 2024, there was a showdown between Austin Denny and Nathan Bandstra that won’t soon be forgotten. On Day 1, Nathan strapped his 5.90 Index Silverado to the Northwest Dyno Series SuperFlow and the 7.1L Duramax-powered Chevy responded by laying down an impressive 1,855 hp. In response, Austin Denny threw enough nitrous at his compound turbo’d 6.0L Power Stroke to clear more than 1,900-rwhp. In fact, Austin’s 1,931 hp set a new chassis dyno record for the 6.0L platform. The next day, a dramatic dirt drag finale between Nathan and Austin included fireballs from both trucks Austin edging Nathan for the win. In 2025, Austin will try to three-peat…

One More Win Before Winter Hits

Some drivers are simply talented. It’s no more complicated than that. Three weeks after securing the ODSS 6.70 Index championship, Jeremy Stickney and his ’04 Dodge were racing a bit closer to home at Onaway Dragway in western Iowa, perhaps looking for one last hurrah for the year. There, he won his bracket during the racing season finale “Truck Or Treat” event at the NHRA-sanctioned track. A little over 1,300 miles away, fellow friend and ODSS 5.90 Index (and soon to be Pro Street) racer, Brett Marcum, was lighting up the 6.0 Index class at No Mercy 15.

Written by Mike McGlothlin