Erick Brown
Hometown: Riverdale, California
Year/Make/Model: '03 Dodge Ram 2500
Engine: 5.9L Cummins common-rail
Turbocharger(s): Bell Turbo modified USB over a BorgWarner S510
Injection Pump(s): Dual stock CP3s
Injectors: F1 Diesel Flux 5s
Intercooler: Air-to-Water and Spearco Air-to-Air
Programming: Smarty, EZ, TST
Power Adders: None
Exhaust System: 5-inch MBRP
Lift Pump: AirDog 150
Transmission Type: Auto, built by Brown's Diesel
Torque Converter/Clutch: Goerend
Suspension Modifications: Stock
Axle Gear Ratio: 3.73
Other: Ported head, ZZ Customs intake
Weight: 6,600 pounds
Best E.T.: 11.01 @ 120 mph
Rear Wheel Horsepower: 938 hp
Why it's cool: Erick Brown's stock-appearing truck had one of the wildest powertrains in attendance. With twin intercoolers and compound turbochargers, the truck was a big threat to break into the 10s. In Sacramento, he ran an 11.0-second elapsed time with almost no smoke, thanks to some very precise tuning. After the race, Erick found another 200 horsepower with some bigger injectors, aftermarket CP3 pumps, and more tuning. Now the truck makes 1,138 hp to the wheels, and Erick has his sights set on a low-smoke 10-second pass.
Joe Higuera
Hometown: Hemet, California
Year/Make/Model: '02 Dodge 2500
Engine: Cummins 5.9L 24-Valve
Turbocharger(s): Jefferson State Diesel compound turbos
Injection Pump(s): Brian Garbut Hot Rod VP44
Injectors: Scheid Lightning 3
Intercooler: Stock
Intake: Winspeed heater grid delete
Programming: Edge Comp box
Power Adders: Custom nitrous system, water-methanol injection
Exhaust System: 5-inch stacks
Lift Pump: FASS
Transmission Type: J&H Performance full billet
Torque Converter/Clutch: Sun Coast
Suspension Modifications: Four-link rear suspension
Axle Gear Ratio: 3.54
Other: Jefferson State Diesel header, custom rollcage by Matthew Jensen
Weight: 7,200 pounds
Best E.T.: 11.43 @ 120-plus mph
Rear Wheel Horsepower: 905 hp with nitrous and water-methanol injection, 613 hp on diesel only
Why it's cool: Joe is known as the crazy guy with the three nitrous bottles hanging off the back of his truck. His VP44 truck is a solid mid-11 second piece, with enough power to break into the 10-second zone. In Sacramento, Joe had a violent nitrous backfire that blew his stacks off and split his intercooler. Even after that, he was still in good spirits. We know he'll be back soon, and going faster than ever.