Featured Diesel-Powered Vehicle of the Week: Wade Moody's Rail Dragster

Duramax Diesel to the Max

For the past several Mondays we've been featuring various head-turning diesels to start our week. So far we've been highlighting vehicles highlighted by CarBuzz in a 2019 article titled Cool and Crazy Diesel Powered cars. Today the spotlight is on Wade Moody's rail dragster. 

If you have an eye-popping or heart-stopping diesel truck you'd like to see featured here, tell us about it so we can share it. 

Wade Moody who has created a lot of buzz indeed. By the time he was 32 he had been racing half his life. For sure, diesel engines seem to be part of his DNA. According to Diesel World, Moody turned to diesel drag racers in 2006 with a 4WD Cummins-powered Dodge Ram, competing in the Pro Street class. After winning a few championships at that level, he acquired an S-10 drag truck and moved into the Pro Stock class.

The truck had a powerful Duramax engine, which he fine tuned into another top dog racing machine. This truck powered him to championships in 2011, 2012 and 2013. A crash in 2014 put an end to this truck's reign as fastest diesel drag truck.

Despite this setback, Moody was fortunate in that the engine and Turbo 400 tranny survived. Once transferred into a new frame, he had the fastest Duramax-powered dragster in the known world. 

It was a three month build but fitting the Duramax into the rails proved to be a worthy ambition. By the end of 2015 the machine was doing test passes and the new configuration being readied for war. Even before it had all been worked out they were making passes of 7.02 seconds or 195.48 mph. None of these passes were under full power as they wanted to ensure things were tight. The were anticipating good things in 2016 and indeed achieved them.

With more refinement they became the first common rail diesel dragster to get down into the 6's with a first place win at the Midwest Truck Nationals. Time: 6.997 seconds @ 192.8 mph.

In July 2016 Brian Wagner of DragZine wrote a story about this achievement with additional details about the engine and the dragster. Wagner describes the ways in which Moody and his team squeezed out more power based on things they learned. Moody gave credit to his tuners John Jordan and Kroy Willis, "and all of the awesome products from the rest of our supporters that make it possible to go faster each season."

Check out this YouTube video in which Wade Moody talks about
all the details that went into this build.

The target they were aiming for was "Fastest Diesel in the World," a title owned by Jared Jones. His record pass of 225 mph a couple years earlier.  

Here are some links to the sources for this story and a pass on Moody's Facebook page.

Diesel World Story: The Fastest Duramax-Powered Dragster

Dragzine: Wade Moody First to the 6 Second Zone with Duramax Power

Wade Moody's Dragster Makes a Fast Pass on Facebook

CarBuzz: Cool and Crazy Diesel Powered Cars

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Champion Blue Flame Contingency Program

 

Champion Oil Seeking Diesel Vehicle Builds for SEMA 2021

Just as the lights from Virtual SEMA 2020 recede in the rear view mirror, the brighter lights of SEMA 2021 are already beginning to appear on the horizon. Plans are underway for the upcoming SEMA Show with one key message: Re-Connect. 

In a year when trade shows in nearly every industry were virtual, there's a hunger to connect once more face-to-face. Whether connecting with buyers or with peers, Las Vegas awaits.

One of the highlights of SEMA are the project vehicles. At the SEMA Show in 2021 something different is underway, or so I've heard. The aisles will be wider for social distancing purposes, but they won't be vacant. There will be cars and trucks on display throughout the halls. It should be interesting.

As many builders are aware, companies offer products to builders to help them defray expenses and achieve their dreams. This year, Champion Oil is seeking unique and interesting diesel vehicle builds for SEMA 2021. The vehicles, typically pick-ups, will be promoted by a variety of marketing methods using many social media platforms and technologies.

Each year, the SEMA Show features more than 1,000 project vehicles. The project-vehicle program is an exclusive opportunity for owners, builders and manufacturers to showcase their builds and sponsored products. The experience is valuable to participating manufacturers, like Champion Oil, that can offer products to project-vehicle builders at no charge and additional products at a substantial discount.

 

The dates for this year's show will be November 2^nd thru the 5^th. Champion is offering Champion’s Blue Flame Performance Diesel Engine Oil plus marketing support and recognition here at the Blue Flame Blogger blogspot. Products and promotion will be available for a limited a number of diesel specific project vehicles that plan on displaying either outside, inside or at a specific vendor booth. 

 

 The company will be offering several perks to selected builders as follows:

1. The vehicles will be promoted in advance by press releases, social media, etc. 

2. At the show, the vehicle and owner must be willing and available to be featured in a video interview about the build.

3. Their story will be posted on the Blue Flame Diesel Blog and Champion Facebook and Twitter channels. 

4. The diesel vehicle owner will be able to autograph photos during the show at the Champion booth, plus purchase additional Champion products at a special show display pricing of 50/50. https://www.championbrands.com/products/

 

To enter your diesel vehicle for consideration, send a digital photo or rendering, description, & contact info to: marketing@championbrands.com

 

About the Products

Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils are formulated with workhorse high-zinc performance additives, superior protection, advanced polymer technology, and high TBN, supported by a carrier blend of synthetic fluids.

 

In addition, Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils deliver unmatched high temperature film strength and lubricity protection, with the muscle to combat oil shear and maximize sustained cylinder compression. They also inhibit oxidation, corrosive acids, sludge and varnish build-up.

 

These robust performance oils keep diesel engines going longer by reducing soot-induced engine wear, controlling abrasive soot contamination and preventing high temperature corrosion, even while allowing for improved fuel economy and lower total cost of ownership. They are proven to increase engine horse power and torque. https://www.championbrands.com/diesel-engine-oils/

About the Company
Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years. Champion Brands, LLC also produces and blends over 300 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information about contact Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO  http://www.championbrands.com