3-Second Diesels Impress at the PDRA World Finals

Three diesel dragsters were on the grounds of Virginia Motorsports Park over the weekend, and they did not go unnoticed. The trio included Scheid Diesel’s P-pumped Cummins-powered rail driven by Jared Jones, Michael Cordova’s record-holding common-rail Cummins dragster, and Paul Vasko’s Duramax-propelled hot-rod. Up against more than 70 other dragsters, and despite being brand-new to the PDRA Elite Top Dragster class, Michael and Paul both made the top 16, Michael qualifying seventh with a 3.79 (at 204 mph) and Paul qualifying 10^th thanks to a new personal best, 3.87 (at 189 mph). Without question, both of the S&S fueled and MoTec controlled rails left the impression that diesels can compete in one of drag racing’s quickest categories.

Familiar Faces Line Up At October Truck Madness

Little by little, diesel is creeping into mainstream racing. Thanks to Nathan Wheeler and Dustin Sterling, compression ignition was well-represented at the recent October Truck Madness held in Houston. On the heels of trucking 1,000 miles (each way) to Cleeter’s AWD Shootout in Florida, they were back on their home turf in Texas. Nathan’s rolling work of art, D&J Cummins-powered Ford went out in the first round to the eventual winner, but earned a W in a grudge race later on that night. Dustin, whose Silverado packs a DHD-built Duramax and that’s been 4’s in the eighth-mile in the past, took the win in his first and second race before losing in the final. Check out the full recap here.

A Tie-Breaker Finish At King Of The Street

The annual King Of The Street Challenge took place at Delaware International Speedway over the weekend, and for the first time there was a tie for First Place. After all events had been completed, Tyler Saffel (far right) and KOS regular, David Petrick (who made 2,788 hp on the dyno this year), each sat with 3,820 total points. To break the tie, a rule that awards the win to the competitor that placed higher out of all competitions across the board had to be invoked. The rule made Tyler Saffel the winner, who placed higher than David in three of the five categories. Third Place finisher, Evan Moser wasn’t far behind in points, and Tiffany Lovett and Chris Patterson claimed the fourth and fifth place spots.

Diesels In Dark Corners

It’s that time of year again, when the country’s top-running trucks and tractors make the trip south for one of the most anticipated sled pulls on the calendar: Diesels In Dark Corners. November 1 and 2, the Pro Street (2.6), Limited Pro Stock (3.0), Pro Stock (3.6), and Super Stock Diesel Trucks are once again on the docket in White Plains, Georgia, with Friday night’s pull kicking off at 5 pm and Saturday’s dirt slinging action beginning at 4 pm. Saturday’s show ‘n shine runs from noon to 4, with awards and cash payouts following immediately afterward. Five thousand spectators can’t be wrong…DIDC is a can’t miss event.

NEPMA Opposes EV Mandates—And Donates $50K To The Cause

The National Engine Parts Manufacturers Association (NEPMA) announced last Wednesday that the organization donated $50,000 to Driving Force Action, an independent expenditure campaign that was established by SEMA and PRI to inform voters of the devastating effect EV mandates (and internal combustion engine bans) will have on America’s small manufacturing businesses. Driving Force Action is committed to educating current and potential voters of the dangers EV mandates pose to the automotive industry—an industry that drives more than $337 billion in annual economic impact. Voter education campaigns are currently being run in the following key battleground states at the present time: Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Written by Mike McGlothlin