For fans of diesel drag racing, the long-awaited return of the NHRDA (National Not Rod Diesel Association) came with a little extra spice in Ennis, Texas during the 2023 NHRDA World Finals. At the 2022 PRI show, the ODSS (Outlaw Diesel Super Series) and the NHRDA decided to face off against each other in a World Finals at the historic Texas Motorplex. After years of going back and forth with heated debates about who has the best drivers, it was time to settle it once and for all.

Because both organizations offer the same classes, pairing each division at the 2023 NHRDA World Finals was quickly done. The classes: E.T. Sportsman, 7.70 Index, 6.70 Index, 5.90 Index/ Super Street, Pro Mod / Pro Stock, and Pro Dragster were destined to be heated battles. Plus, NHRDA’s Big Rig classes. In what seemed to be the biggest turnout of the season, via Diesel TV, fans were treated to a weekend full of action-packed diesel drag racing.

2023 NHRDA World Finals’ Sportsman / E.T.

Consistency wins races, and Robin Ridgeway has proven to be deadly consistent.

It’s no secret that dead consistency wins this class and it was Robin Ridgeway’s “Tony” that took home the hardware. Robin faced Chris Blair in the final round where she would have room at the stripe and ran a 10.139 on her 10.07 dial. Robin continues her dominance in the NHRDA and that is 1-0 NHRDA.

7.70 Index / Super Diesel

Like E.T., in the 7.70-index class, you have to have a truck that will run the number. Exhibit A: Ethen Schmidt. Ethen was good enough to make it to the final round where he faced Dustin Mintern, but because he started too early, he earned a red light foul. This handed the win to Mintern which would’ve been tough to beat as he ran just under the dial, stopping the clocks at a 7.68. That was a win for ODSS and the battle was tied at 1-1.

2023 NHRDA World Finals’ 6.70 Index

Hailing from Waverly, Nebraska, Jeremy Stickney was the man to beat, even with a truck that was too fast for the class. Jeremy persevered and managed to take it all the way. He faced a similar-looking white Ram truck owned by Tim Moore, but Jeremy’s reaction time and quick move off the starting line earned him room at the finish to come in under the index. That is another win for the ODSS. This makes it 2-1.

The 5.90-index class was one of the most competitive of the weekend.

5.90 Index / Super Street

Missouri Valley, Iowa native, Brett Marcum, had a full ODSS showdown where he and Cody Helms faced off in the final round where Marcum took home the victory. Marcum is known for a truck that will run the number and he’s got the dream team behind him that makes him tough competition. Marcum leads the points in ODSS and has put together a really solid season. In an all ODSS final, the tally is now 3-1.

Pro Street

Foster Evans, is the pilot of the KC Turbo-backed Ford truck called “The Haunter”. Foster had a huge weekend as he and the team bested their previous fastest and quickest elapsed time. A 5.12-second e.t. is the current NHRDA record in Pro Street, and they own it. Due to some unfortunate breakage, he had no opponent in the final round, making him the World Champion in Pro Street. Because he is a west coaster, I’m giving the 2023 NHRDA World Finals win to NHRDA where the tally is tightening up 3-2

2023 NHRDA World Finals’ Pro Modified

The crew at 1 Way Diesel has put together a wild-looking pro-modified car powered by a healthy Cummins engine. Chase Wells, the driver of the car, faced off against Wade Minter, a Pro Mod newcomer who is piloting his new Cummins-powered Corvette. According to the footage, it looks like Minter had the win, but the car seemed to stumble about half-track. This allowed the 1 Way Diesel team to power by for the win. Wells clicked it off a 4.758 at 148.33 mph which also takes the NHRDA Pro Mod record. We’re now 3-3.

Pro Dragster / Top Diesel

Is there anything cooler than a diesel-powered dragster winning races?

As we close out the 2023 NHRDA World Finals, the final class and final winner of the weekend was Jared Jones in the Scheid Diesel-backed Spitzer dragster. The mechanical Cummins-powered rail thundered down the eighth mile at 4.24 at 188 mph, sealing up the victory as there were no other dragsters to face in this class. By default, the Outlaw Diesel Super Series won, but as far as I’m concerned, they are tied. Seems like we need more diesel-powered dragsters.