Fastest Diesel Passes of 2020

Front end of the Firepunk Diesel S10

2020 was an unusual year for many reasons, from the global pandemic to social turbulence in many cities. Hard to believe, but there was no SEMA Show, no PRI, no Diesel Power Challenge. Things were so bad that Diesel World labelled it The Year of Cancelled Events.

People were bored, anxious, overworked, and many were unemployed. Nevertheless, there were still many exciting moments for the highlight reels for 2020. As we look in the rearview mirror we see new records set and a lot worth talking about, which is what Diesel World has done for us in this article by Mike McGlothlin titled Fastest Passes of 2020.

McGlothlin begins by noting that 2020 was actually a huge year for drag racing because drivers and teams stayed focused. They didn't allow what was going on around us to distract them from their aims, which is probably good advice for all of us who have dreams and goals. As a result, there were numerous records broken in 2020 and promising prospects for 2021.

After a condensed summary of 2020 we get photos and details about the main stories, beginning with the Quickest Diesel Dragster in the World, Scheid Diesel's billet-block, compound turbo, P-pumped Cummins-powered Spitzer chassis rail. Track conditions were perfect at October's PDRA and the Scheid team was ready. Boom... Elapsed Time on the 1/8th mile run, 4.04 seconds.  New record. 184 mph. Driver: Jared Jones.

It's gratifying when it all comes together. The record Jones broke had been set only 7 months earlier by John Robinson, a 4.101 second pass that screeched to 181 mph. One can expect these two drivers will be very conscious of one another as they push the envelope in 2021. The goal for each will be to break into the 3s. No doubt they can almost taste it.

A new car on the scene in 2020 was Jeremy Wagler's Duramax dragster. This diesel, too, is quick, and made real progress in its first season. This will be another driver and car to pay attention to going into 2021.

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In the diesel truck category the big dog to watch these past several years has been Firepunk Diesel out of Ohio. The Pro Mod S10 has been setting records all along, and the sacrifices they've made have been rewarded with many trophies and achievements along the way. The Diesel World story shared the impressive numbers they produced in October, but failed to note their Cummins-powered breaktrhough into the 3s that later took place in Florida. You can read about that here. Engine builder Lavon Miller and driver Larson Miller will remain in the forefront of what's happening wherever they go in 2021.

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When you scroll through McGlothlin's article you'll find diesel-powered Corvettes, pickups, dragsters and pro street vehicles with Duramax, Cummins and Power Stroke engines. Racing is one of the ways engine manufacturers explore the cutting edge of what's possible in engineering technology. 

You's also find the drivers and teams to watch in 2021.

Here's the link to the Diesel World story by Mike McGlothlin:

https://www.dieselworldmag.com/events/fastest-passes-of-2020/

If you are a racer, learn more about our Champion Brands Contingency Programs for 2021. Here's how to get your piece of the action. You may also tap the orange button near the top of the right hand column.

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