I have been a part of the Diesel Power Challenge for a few years now. I have also been a freelancer for the magazine since it went into print more years ago than that. I really love the event and I really love the world of high performance diesel trucks. The competition this year was fantastic and one of the reasons it was so good is because the trucks were evenly matched and as the deal has evolved it has favored streetable trucks. Some may think that’s the wrong move and it should showcase the ragged edge of diesel performance but the reality of life is that most guys do not live in that all-out world. Also, we live in such a weird age that watching trucks make more than 1,000hp at the wheel at over 5,000ft of altitude is somehow not hardcore enough?!
Anyway, Diesel Power Challenge 2017 took a turn for the awesome when the event organizers were able to have the pulling portion of the event at Bandimere Speedway. Normally we cruised to the Adams County Fairgrounds to go pulling but timing dictated that we could stay at the drag strip and handle the business there. The course was pretty hard packed and dry. The sled was weighted the same for each and every competitor and as it always seems to happen, the cream rose to the top. Guys with a lot of pulling experience knew how to deal with the conditions and guys with huge, ummm, courages dealt with it the only way they knew how…with the throttle pedal.
This video covers the pulling competition and the awards ceremony at the end of the event. It was great all around. This event is awesome and it continues to bring great people and great trucks each year. It is always a pleasure and an honor to be involved.
