Top Ten Stories of Our First Year and a Shout Out to Our Readers

Today marks the one year anniversary of the Blue Flame blog, a year of finding stories of value and sharing them with diesel enthusiasts. It's really been a remarkable year in many respects. We truly appreciate all of you who have made time to visit here over the course of the year. 

When we began this endeavor one year ago today we were fairly certain that there was an unmet desire for diesel-related news, hence our desire to become your diesel performance resource center.

We've now posted 261 unique blog posts by 11:00 a.m., Monday through Friday since September 1, 2021 in the heart of the pandemic. The average reader is spending nearly six minutes on the blog per visit. Thank you for your interest. We're delighted that there is always something to talk about when it comes to diesel. And if there's something you'd like to see that we're not covering, please let us know in the comments.

What follows are links to our Top 10 stories of this past year. 

10 

According to Shelby American president Gary Patterson, they created the Super Baja by combining all the best features and experience they'd gained from the  Shelby Raptor and Shelby F-150 programs. Phoebe Wall Howard described it as something "for that special someone who has everything."

Read: Shelby F-250 Super Baja Limited: The Epitome of Diesel Cool

9 
Automotive News editors were intrigued that whenever they had long discussions with auto industry leaders, somehow the conversation often drifted to racing. The editors came to realize that racing was itself a microcosm of the industry. 

Read: The East Coast Diesel Nationals and Thoughts on Why Motorsports Competition Matters

8 
It's late summer now, but fall is in the air and winter around the corner. What follows are a few areas to focus on, extracted from an article by Whitney Russell that appeared in The NewsWheel.

Photo courtesy Chevrolet

Read: Getting Your Diesel Truck Ready for Winter

7 
If you're a diesel guy you're probably have a few ideas about how to produce more power. Nevertheless, if you aspire to play with the big boys you'll want to make sure your fundamentals are covered. Afterwards you can add your own secret sauce.

Read: How to Get More Power from Your Diesel 

6 
Viscosity control? Shear stability? TBN retention? Confused? Best to start your search by understanding your application; tractor pulling, drag racing, stationary, street, off-road, etc. Answering these five simple questions will help you zero in on the right oil for your truck's specific needs.

Read: Five Questions to Help You Pick the Right Diesel Engine Oil

5
The National Association of Diesel Motorsports (NADM) announced Champion Blue Flame Performance Diesel Engine Oil as the official oil for this year's annual East Coast Diesel Nationals held at Numidia Dragway in July.  

Read: East Coast Diesel Nationals Picks Champion Blue Flame as Official Oil

4 
There are five reasons diesels are such torque monsters. Here's a deeper dive into the details.

Read: The Biggest Reason We Love Diesels: More Torque

3

The 7'1" former NBA All Star doesn't always have an easy time finding a vehicle he can comfortably drive. The Drive gives an account of the steps Shaq took to find a ride more suited to his special needs and tastes.

Read:  Shaq Goes Big with a Diesel Ford F-650

2  
This was a big story for us. Shelby American is recommending Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil  for its new Ford Shelby F-250 Super Baja, a Limited-Edition off-roading pick-up truck. 

Read: Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil Recommended for Limited-Edition Shelby F-250 Super Baja Pick-Up

 
1 

Diesel drag racers were invited to participate in the Champion Blue Flame contingency program. The response has been such that this became our most read blog post of the past year

Read: Blue Flame Contingency Program Rewards Diesel Drag Racers

 

THE BLUE FLAME BLOG has been designed to be a destination for owners, enthusiasts  and fans of diesel vehicles. From the start our goal has been to create a one-stop spot to stay informed, discuss, share and learn about all things diesel. As diesel fans, supporters and critics, we value and appreciate your participation in generating diesel related content. If you have ideas for stories, please leave comments or send an email to BlueFlame1952@gmail.com

Winners and Photos from Last Weekend's East Coast Diesel Nationals Gives

All photos courtesy Diesel Motorsports

For a lot of people, their first exposure to diesel competition took place at a county fair.  County fairs are a tradition as American as apple pie. In fact, your first apple pie might have even been at a pie eating contest at a county fair. Fairs give communities a chance to show off what is special in their communities. They are also lathered with nostalgic memories, becoming a gathering place for young and old alike. 

These thoughts came to mind when I read this headline from the Journal-News: County Fair Tractor And Truck Pulls Rescheduled (Again) For Aug. 22. It was that word "Again" that tipped us off to the biggest challenge all motorsports promoters face: the weather. 

EAST COAST DIESEL NATIONALS 2021

This past weekend in Numidia, Pa., the day opened with a bright sun scattering its arrows of light across the landscape. It seemed a good omen, since the East Coast had been receiving buckets of rain nearly daily for a week while a large swath of the country has been experiencing a drought.

Unfortunately the day's events were later cut short... by more rain. Despite the weather, racers persevered and we had winners in a number of categories so the the day was not a complete washout. The 2500+ attendees who came to Numidia saw 175 competitors in a limited event that included racing, pulling, dyno and Show-N-Shine.

Champion Blue Flame Oil is pleased announce the following winners for the East Coast Diesel Nationals last Saturday in Numidia, PA.

 

ET Bracket

Champion – Jake Allison

Heads -Up

Champion – Marlin Shirk

Sled Pulling

WorkStock

1 – Matthew Fessler – 339.19

 

Hot WorkStock

1 – Tom Hassler – 317.95

 

2.5/2.6 Class

1- Brenden Finck – 315.28

3.0 Class

1 – Jared Brown – 342.68

 

2WD 6200 LB Trucks

1 – Dale Forrester – 311.39

 

8500 LB Mod Tractors – (Single/Multiple engine)

1 – Vern Zerby – 315.81

 

7800 LB Tractors
1 – Amber Blizzard – 351.12

* * * 

Diesel Motorsports is the official sanctioning body for this event. In addition to tractor pulling and drag racing in multiple classes, there's a Show 'N Shine and a Dyno competition. The full range of events can be found here. 

Special thanks to Ron Knoch and the Diesel Motorsports team for doing all they can to make their motorsports events to be a rewarding experience for diesel enthusiasts and their fans. Here are a few additional photos from this past weekend.

Here is a list of upcoming Diesel Events.

If you know of an event you'd like us to add,

place it in the comments. See you at Rocky Top.

Grass Roots Diesel Truck Shows as American as Apple Pie

Photo courtesy Diesel Motorsports

Now that the Covid tide has receded things are beginning to open up again. What many people seem to be noticing is how much people have been flocking to diesel events across the country. Over the weekend I saw this story about a Diesel Jam that was used to raise money for scholarships in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. 

Next I came across a story about the Western Nebraska Truck Show that was coming to Bridgeport. That event will take place this coming weekend, same time as the NADM East Coast Nationals sponsored in part by Blue Flame Diesel Oil.

All this grass roots diesel enthusiasm has not gone unnoticed by sports journalist. That's why on July 1 PRI's Drew Hardin published Alive & Growing, a story detailing this surge in diesel enthusiasm. 

The article begins with a question. Is diesel racing dead? Gregg Holley of the Outlaw Diesel Super Series (ODSS) assures us that diesel is hardly dead. In fact, it may be more popular than ever. According to Jolley, attendance has tripled over the past three years. Even during the pandemic it was huge. This year ODSS is setting record sales number. 

But it's not just diesel drag racing that gets the blood flowing. Greg Lussetto of the Heartland Pulling Series shared with Hardin how truck and tractor pulling has begun expanding to the further reaches of the country from East to West. 

One reason diesel action is getting so furiously flavorful is because these diesel drag racers have become so fast, faster than ever imagined. For those not paying attention, dragways switched from running quarter-mile passes to eighth-mile. Why? Because these diesel trucks have become so darn fast it was getting dangerous.

The growth in popularity of diesel drag racing has spawned a new series called the Hole Shot Diesel Series. The HSDS was created by the Ultimate Callout Challenge in partnership with Hole Shot's Secret. The new series helps fill the void left by the demise of the National Hot Rod Diesel Series two years ago.

The Texas Truck Jam is being expanded to a two day circus now, especially since everything else is big in Texas.

Ron Knoch of the National Association of Diesel Motorsports noted that at their Numidia, PA East Coast Nationals the drag strip and pulling track are adjacent to one another and run simultaneously. "People can watch both. If there's a lull duringthe drag racing, they can watch sled pulling."

Photo courtesy Diesel Motorsports

Hardin also spoke with Jared Jones of the Scheid Diesel Extravaganza in Indiana where they have a similar setup to Numidia. The tractor pulling takes places just a few hundred feet from the drag strip.

Chris Searle of the Ultimate Callout Challenge (UCC) pointed out one difference between their event and most others. The UCC requires competitors use the same truck setup for the pulling as the racing. You're always looking for that sweet spot. It's tricky because you want a lighter vehicle for racing and a beefier truck for the pulling. UCC is also different because they specify a limited number of competitors, 30 in all. 

What's apparent to everyone is that diesel is still alive and well. And by being family oriented, the kids get an early introduction to activities that may inspire them to carry the torch to future generations.

Read the full article here at the Performance Racing (PRI) website. 

NADM East Coast Diesel Nationals Is Happening July 17: A Dozen Cool Photos To Warm Up Your Engines

All photos courtesy Diesel Motorsports

Although nothing has been entirely normal during the past 18 months, there are signs that things are coming back. Car shows and diesel events are back on track. Next week the East Coast Diesel Nationals will be coming to Pennsylvania's Numidia Dragway with Blue Flame as the Official Diesel Oil. 

The East Coast Nationals, which bills itself as the "Largest Diesel Show in the East," is an all-day family event that includes drag racing pickups (both diesel and gas this year), rat rods, sled pulling, dyno competition and show-n-shine, as well as vendors. Whichever direction you go you'll find activities and action.

It's easy to get jaded when you've been around a while, but it's my experience that you'll always see or experience something that will surprise you if your eyes are open.

Champion continues to support racers with its Blue Flame Contingency Program. You can click on the Orange Button (right hand column) to sign up or read more about our contingency details here.

Competition is good. It's our competitors
who keep us on our toes, pushing us further to do
things we never thought possible. 

* * * 

Update: 2WD Mods have been added as a pulling class this year. If you have a 2wd bring it to the East Coast Diesel Nationals July 17th!

And finally, a special shout out to NADM's Ron Knoch for all his hard work to make these events possible for diesel enthusiasts and fans. (Follow Diesel Motorsports on Facebook.)