Diesel News 8.13.18

Truck of the Week

Common-Rail Second-Gen

Spreading the Diesel Word

Trying his hand at no-prep racing, Paul Cato hauled his 9-second common-rail second-gen out to Noble, Oklahoma for Outlaw Armageddon. Unfortunately, Cato was pitted against the nitrous-fed, small-block Chevy Luv of Kyle Buckmaster (a 2,600-pound missile) and was put out in the first round of action. Still, Cato’s hefty Dodge lost by a little more than a truck length, putting diesels on the map at one of the larger no-prep events in the country. Earlier in the summer, Cato also participated in this year’s Hot Rod Power Tour.

Events

Industrial Injection Dominates

At Weekend on the Edge

Without question, the Industrial Injection crew has become a force to be reckoned with over the past several years. With Shawn Baca’s 2,500hp Master Shredder, the Demaxed Silverado driven by Jared Delekta, and having a large hand in the success of various other sled pullers and drag racers across the country, the I.I. team is definitely firing on all cylinders right now. Most recently, the Industrial nameplate laid claim to a handful of First Place finishes at Weekend on the Edge in Salt Lake City, Utah. In the dirt, Industrial trucks would finish out front in Pro Mod Diesel, King of the Diesel, Pro Stock, and Open Street, while also taking top honors in the Pro Street drag race category.

More form WOTE

2,244 HP & 2,700+ LB-FT Torque

Another newsworthy competitor making noise at Weekend on the Edge 2018 was UCC 2019 Qualifier, Trevor Peterson. After struggling at the drag strip, Peterson strapped his ’06 Dodge to the chassis dyno and rocked the rollers to the tune of 2,244 hp and 2,744 lb-ft of torque (up from the 2,109 hp/2,609 lb-ft he laid down at UCC 2018 back in May). His Ram makes use of a triple-turbo’d, Shredder Series Cummins from Industrial Injection, and a Randy’s Transmission-built 48RE that’s been sporting the same converter for more than a year.

NHRDA

Canadian Diesel Shootout

The NHRDA was back in action over the weekend, hosting round seven of its 2018 racing schedule—the Canadian Diesel shootout—in Edmonton, Alberta. In the Super Diesel class (11.90 Index), Brad Faryna would pull out the win with his second-gen Cummins. In Pro Stock, Richard Mead and his nasty, ’32 Bantam would red light in the final round, giving Kevin Douglas and his ’70 C10 the win. Mead would secure the victory in the Top Diesel category, however. As for the Hot Rod Semi class, Gord Cooper’s ’68 Kenworth dubbed “Smokin’ Gun” would get the W, and also make an 11.75-second pass at 114 mph on the day.

Highlights

OEM News

2020 Super Duty Spied

In what is likely designed to steal some of the thunder from the all new Ram and GM HD’s that are on the way, Ford will be performing a refresh on its Super Duty line for the 2020 model year. This standard cab dually (which we believe is an F-450) was spotted last week near Dearborn sporting 10-lug, 19.5-inch wheels, a new, more open grille design, and what looks to be a possible headlight redesign. Thus far, the rumor mill is circulating that many of the interior updates that have already been released for the ’18 F-150 will make it into the ’20 Super Duty. Look for ’20 Super Duty’s to begin making the auto show rounds this winter, for the big buildup to its release in the fall of ’19.
*Photo courtesy of SpiedBilde images/PickupTrucks.com

Diesel Mazda

CX-5 Coming

After nearly a decade of waiting for a diesel-powered Mazda vehicle to hit the U.S. market, the time may have finally come. While Mazda hasn’t specified a thing, fuel economy numbers for a diesel-powered CX-5 have been posted on FuelEconomy.gov. EPA estimates list the diesel-equipped crossover as capable of achieving 31-mpg on the highway, and in front wheel drive form. City driving is pegged for 28-mpg. An oil-burning CX-5 may bring more towing capacity to Mazda’s popular little SUV, along with more hp and torque than what’s offered by its only competitor in the segment: the 137 hp Chevy Equinox.

EPA News

More Reg’s Being Relaxed

In the wake of the EPA’s finding that its current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and CAFE standards may be too stringent, it’s been proposed that the above standards for light duty diesels be relaxed by simply freezing the standards at 2020 levels. In addition to the proposal, the EPA would also prevent the state of California from enacting its own, more stringent standards. While frozen, the standards would be thoroughly reviewed and likely revised. In reference to the proposed relaxing and revising of current regulations, U.S. Transportation Secretary, Elaine L. Chao, had this to say: “There are compelling reasons for a new rulemaking on fuel economy standards for 2021-2026. More realistic standards will promote a healthy economy by bringing newer, safer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles to U.S. roads.”