Goodness, it feels like it has been forever since we’ve talked about events. No dyno stuff, no sled pulling, no drag racing, no nothing. Finally, after a horrid winter, it wasn’t that bad it just sucks because nothing is going on, we’re back into it. Over last weekend, drag racers, their families, and their friends loaded up and head to Julian, North Carolina, where Rudy’s Spring Truck Jam was held for the Outlaw Diesel Super Series season opener.
Typical for a Rudy’s season opener, the weather was a factor. In fact, before the event even started, there were already plans to have the event pushed back to Sunday. Even though that would get everyone back a lot later than expected, at least they got to do some racing, right? The rain didn’t roll in until Friday evening / Saturday morning so they managed to get in some testing, pro-class qualifying, and even some gamblers race action.
Ryan Milliken’s newest addition at the Hardway Performance camp was on display and also being raced in the Outlaw 5.90 Index class by a close friend, Johnny Montesino.
For those of you who are new here, the Outlaw Diesel Super Series is now one of the country’s diesel drag racing series you can follow. Their first stop here at Rudy’s Spring Truck Jam, features the usual E.T Sportsman, 7.70 Index, 6.70 Index, Outlaw 5.90 Index, Pro Street, Pro Mod, and Pro Dragster. Basically tiered for all levels of involvement.
#1 Qualifiers
Ending the night of qualifying, top spots were given to B. Harris in 7.70 Index, Avery Micek in 6.70 Index, Buddy Callaway in Outlaw 5.90 Index, Johnny Gilbert in Pro Street, Ben Shadday in Pro Mod, and ol’ Jared Jones in Pro Dragster. Each of these guys was either closest to the index in their class or the fastest in the class.
Like mentioned earlier, Saturday brought nothing but rain. Racers made the best of it by heading to town for a day of inside fun. I’ve seen photos of high-stakes poker games, axe throwing, go-kart racing, and more. You’re out of town and have nothing else to do, may as well go have some fun, right?
Sunday Fun Day
Once the rain settled and the track dried, it quickly turned to business. Trucks were called to the lanes for each of the classes, fields whittled down until there was only one remaining so they could be crowned the event champion.
In the JAMO Performance ET Bracket class, two class veterans faced off in a tight one. Ryan Riddle managed to edge out Trey Sikes in his ’06 Ram. Riddle looks to have had room running a 7.70 on a 7.66 dial in whereas Sikes went 9.55 on a 9.45 dial. Both drivers managed to go some rounds over the weekend and put some points in their pocket looking to bring home an end of year payday for their round wins.
In the ATS Diesel / Diesel Power 7.70 Index class, a 2010 BMW 335D piloted by Adam Doan faced ’01 Silverado owner Dustin Canter. In a double breakout win, Doan takes the prize money back to Dandridge, Tennessee. They both went under the dial but it was Canter who did it worse. Therefore, handing the win to Doan.
The Thoroughbred Diesel 6.70 class saw some final round newcomers and an extraordinary vehicle. Matt Santjer, in his 700-horsepower BMW 335D battled with Zach Tucan, a Berkley, Massachusetts native. I didn’t expect to see a BMW like that run this quick, but good on him for getting that thing running well. Unfortunately for Santjer, with what looks to be a holeshot victory, Tucan managed to beat him to the finish line within his index ending his day as 6.70 Index champion.
Moving on, the Firepunk Diesel Outlaw 5.90 Index class was stacked with drivers all over the country. Number one qualifier Buddy Callaway managed to pilot his ’03 GMC Sierra to the final round where he would face Chad Keeter. Keeter, even though he ran closer to the index, lost due to starting line advantage for Callaway. With Keeter’s .212 reaction time, Callaway’s .132 reaction time was just enough advantage to hold a fender on Keeter to take the win.
Hot Shot’s Secret‘s Pro Street category featured last year’s points champion Johnny Gilbert and RLC Motorsports’ Michael Dalton. With Dalton having the best weekend with this truck to date, the stage was set for a close battle. Dalton and his ’10 Cummins-powered Ram had a huge advantage over Gilbert at the starting line but the tires couldn’t hold it. Gilbert took his ’01 Ram all the way to the finish line winning with a 5.169 pass at 149-MPH.
In the Suncoast Diesel Pro Mod class, class veterans Ben Shadday, the number one qualifier in the class, and Larson Miller faced off in the final round. Unfortunately for Team Firepunk, they struggled to get it to stick in the final round handing with win over to Shadday and his beautiful, AMSOIL-backed ’63 Corvette. Shadday’s run ended a 4.346-seconds at 174-MPH.
In the Industrial Injection Pro Dragster, Scheid Diesel’s very own Jared Jones struggled to make it down the track cleanly but since he’s the only dragster, for now, he left with a win. There are more dragsters out there and they are all coming. I am excited to see this class evolve and see what happens in the near future.
Our next stop on the Outlaw Diesel Super Series schedule is the Firepunk Diesel Outlaw Diesel Revenge event. This event was supposed to be in Xenia, Ohio, but this year, it will be in conjunction with the Ultimate Callout Challenge, making this event the biggest one of the year. Head on out to Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the next big event. We’ll see you there.
For more event coverage, truck features, and part testing, stay tuned right here to Diesel Army. For a video event recap, check out the Firepunk Diesel YouTube channel here.
