Randy Does of Sardeno, Ohio,...
Randy Does of Sardeno, Ohio, won the Work Stock pulling class with his '03 Chevy Duramax.
This year's Diesel Hot Rod Association FASS Diesel Nationals were once again held at the legendary O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Indiana. This world-famous dragstrip has been raced on by legends like "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, and The First Lady of Drag Racing, Shirley Muldowney. But on the weekend of June 31st, it was time to let the black smoke fly and create some new legends of our own-diesel-powered legends that is!
On Friday night, Mother Nature let loose a downpour that had the Diesel Hot rod Association (DHRA) officials scrambling to get the sled track covered to keep it from turning into a mud pit. Special thanks go to the guys at Haisley Machine and Lowry Sled Rentals for supplying the plastic to keep the track dry.
Barry Nunez and Matt Brunk...
Barry Nunez and Matt Brunk of Up Country Fabrications in Norwalk, Iowa, each made the trip in their 3500 Chevy Duramax trucks.
On Saturday morning the sky was clear and the tracks were prepped for a great weekend of racing. The day was packed full of qualifying rounds for sled pulling and drag racing. Vendors filled the concourse area and gave the spectators and participants ideas for their diesels, as well as having good purchasing deals for some parts. The show-'n'-shine area also had some nice trucks on display for viewing pleasure.
Sunday arrived with competitors ready for elimination rounds. First up was the quarter-mile, with four separate classes running for top honors. When it was all said and done, Kevin Meredith from Bowling Green, Kentucky, won the E.T. class; Karl Mirester from Wooster, Ohio, won the Quick Diesel class; Chris Calkins from St. Clair, Missouri, won the Pro Street class; and Chad Riley from Benton City, Washington, won the Top Diesel class.
Once the track cleared and the dirt was packed, the sled from Lowry Sled Rental was ready to take on the competition. Several trucks hooked and pulled, some fell short, and a few even broke apart. But at the end of the day, Randy Does took the Work Truck class title by pulling the sled out of the gate with a 319.03-foot pull. In the Street Diesel class, Matt McIntosh took the sled 320.01 feet. Ric Scrimager took top honors in the Super Street class with a 353.01-foot pull.
The Pro Mod Diesel pulling class was taken by Wesley Kusilek with a 315.08-foot pull. And the only truck to take it out of the gate in the Super Mod Diesel class was Terry Marten with his 318-foot pull.
 Jason Smith and his Team Twisted...  Jason Smith and his Team Twisted '03 Duramax from Tennessee took Fifth Place in the Super Street class with a 319.03-foot pull. |  Mitch Pierce's Caterpillar-sponsored...  Mitch Pierce's Caterpillar-sponsored Dodge got pretty beaten up by the Ironside sled. |  2007 Diesel Power Challenge...  2007 Diesel Power Challenge competitor Tony Burkhard and his '05 Duramax, Dirty Hooker, hooked up strong, but fell short on Saturday. |