(Words and photos by Doug Gregory) – The last class to take the hook for the weekend were the diesel pickups.  These things have really progressed since the last time I seen them in person.  These are limited to OEM transmissions, transfer cases, and differentials to not exceed a 1-ton factory rating.  They get a single, 2.6” inlet intercooled turbo and must run on DOT tires.  Weight was added to the sled when the previous class, Pro Stock 4wd, completed.  Those are allowed 485ci and cut tires.

The limitations on the oil-burners didn’t seem to make any difference because the winning pull in this class was the longest pull of the weekend – 340ft…!  Its not to say there wasn’t carnage, because there was.  One truck spit the rear differential so hard that parts and fluid came out of the pumpkin.  Another truck is show in sequence first dropping one traction bar, then exploding a u-joint, then dropping the other traction bar.  It still managed to drive itself off the track.

Typically these classes are dominated by the Cummins crowd and that was in the majority.  However, the Duramax flag-bearers let themselves be heard with a great showing and one of the coolest-looking competitors was a Red, Chevy square-body urged on by the Isuzu workhorse.  The fact these trucks can put all that torque down on street-legal rubber is simply amazing.  Cool stuff.  Enjoy.

Click on the images below to enlarge ’em and then scroll through –