HEADLINES: Diesel Truck Wars

The fall running of Diesel Truck Wars went down over the weekend, and some of the biggest payouts in the event’s history were on the line. Jared Swink would get his hands on a hefty $5,700 check for the win in 6.70 Index, and that was after his nasty 6.0L Power Stroke turned in 5.99 and 6.01-second eighth-miles in the Outlaw category. In the Outlaw class, Zack Pierce would get the W, while Chris Gelbaugh took top honors in the heads-up, Singles Elite field. And fresh off of his ODSS 7.70 Index championship, Ryan Riddle swept in for the 7.70 class victory, along with claiming the runner-up spot in ET Bracket.

Engine Failure

30,000-Mile 6.7L Power Stroke Bites The Dust

Is it just us or are you seeing more 6.7L Power Stroke failures these days as well? After losing oil pressure, this 30,000-mile ’22 Super Duty was dropped off at Hassler Diesel in need of an engine. The truck’s warranty was voided due to what Ford called incorrect servicing (those details weren’t made clear). Many believe the apparent up-tick in failed 6.7L’s is the result of owners running 15W40 engine oil. Not that engine oil was determined to be the cause of failure of this specific 6.7L, with very tight rod and main bearing clearances in these engines, adherence to the correct weight oil has never been more important.

Billet Badassery

Wagler’s Winter Wonderland

With the arrival of these billet blanks, the “off-season” is officially underway at Wagler Competition Products. We’re not sure how many blocks and cylinder heads will be created from this material, but we know there are more than a few customers lined up to run billet Wagler power plants in 2024. Better yet, Wagler has promised to showcase a few billet engine builds over the winter—as well as post up what they do on the dyno. If that happens, expect some Internet-breaking numbers, potentially followed by some record-breaking passes next race season.

In The Dirt

One Last Dance

As each sled pull season comes to a close, many of the sport’s die-hards travel even further away from home for one last hook. Never one to shy away from traveling, Jason Wayman recently made the 800-mile trek to Lufkin, Texas to compete in the last Outlaw Truck & Tractor Pulling Association event of 2023. Look for Jason and many other Limited Pro Stock (3.0 smooth bore) drivers to load up and head south to Diesels In Dark Corners on November 3^rd and 4^th. The White Plains, Georgia affair has become a can’t-miss blockbuster in the world of truck and tractor pulling. Expect coverage from that event two weeks from today.

Washington

CARS Act Introduced

A pair of Republican U.S. Senators (Mike Crapo from Idaho and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska) have introduced the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act. Like any proposed legislation in Washington, it’s complicated, but on its face the CARS Act counters a Biden Administration-proposed rule (and other regulations) that seeks to limit consumer vehicle choice. More specifically, the CARS Act is an attempt to stop the forced transition to battery electric vehicles (which will require complete reliance on China). According to Senator Shelley Capito, who supports the CARS Act, “In addition to higher sticker prices and a lack of a sufficiently operational charging infrastructure, the Biden Administration failed to take into account that electric vehicles currently rely on China for raw materials and on the same baseload power plants the EPA is simultaneously trying to close down.”