DW  INDY LEAD

Fleece Performance’s Diesel Showdown Gets Loud

One of the most coveted titles among racers is the Indy Champion because—if it has wheels—it’s likely that a prestigious race for it is held in Indianapolis. With more than a century of racing heritage, the city has played host to some of the biggest racing events and achievements the world has ever known. But racing diesels in Indy looked to be in danger as declining participation and attendance helped prompt a sanctioning body to remove diesel drag races and sled pull events from the 2015 schedule. However, local diesel enthusiasts were upset and fortunately for them, the crew at Fleece Performance Engineering teamed with the newly formed ODSS (Outlaw Diesel Super Series) and the Lucas Oil PPL (Pro Pulling League) to bring diesel motorsports back to Indy on June 27, 2015.

Seth Sullivan’s Dodge may not be the quickest truck out of the hole, but it back-halved like no other to take the win.
Seth Sullivan’s Dodge may not be the quickest truck out of the hole, but it back-halved like no other to take the win.

THE RETURN OF DIESEL

The Fleece Performance Diesel Showdown featured a full day of diesel activities: a Show-N-Shine competition, dyno competition, drag racing and sled pulling all located at the famed Lucas Oil Raceway where the NHRA’s U.S. Nationals are held annually. A large manufacturer’s midway was in place behind the main drag strip grandstands complete with food vendors and the latest and greatest performance parts and accessories from a broad range of diesel performance vendors.

Everyone was stoked with the diesel competition that was now once again part of the Indy landscape. Plans are already underway for the 2016 edition of the Fleece Performance Diesel Showdown, so start making plans now as we’re sure it will be a killer event for diesel enthusiasts and competitors alike. If you didn’t make it to this year’s event, look over the next few pages to see a sampling of the diesel fun you missed at the track. Perhaps we’ll bump into you next year. DW

Jeff Dean’s slick looking Duramax-powered dragster took home the win in the Pro Dragster class by making consistent passes down the strip.
Jeff Dean’s slick looking Duramax-powered dragster took home the win in the Pro Dragster class by making consistent passes down the strip.
Aaron Reynolds lifts the front tires off the track as he blasts down the 1320 to take the win in the Pro Mod Class with his Cummins-powered ’23 Altered.
Aaron Reynolds lifts the front tires off the track as he blasts down the 1320 to take the win in the Pro Mod Class with his Cummins-powered ’23 Altered.
Steve Royalty and the Flirtin’ With Disaster Pro Mod Dodge is always a sight to see when he leaves the line with the wheelie bars on the ground, the rear tires wrinkled and the left front tire high in the air.
Steve Royalty and the Flirtin’ With Disaster Pro Mod Dodge is always a sight to see when he leaves the line with the wheelie bars on the ground, the rear tires wrinkled and the left front tire high in the air.
Jade Tobin got an up close and personal view of Ben Shadday’s new 2WD Pro Street drag truck as he got loose and aimed for the wall. Fortunately, he gathered it back up and made it down the track without contact!
Jade Tobin got an up close and personal view of Ben Shadday’s new 2WD Pro Street drag truck as he got loose and aimed for the wall. Fortunately, he gathered it back up and made it down the track without contact!
The ET Bracket Class final round couldn’t have put together two more different yet strangely equal trucks if they tried. Doug Brarens’ 2WD ’39 rat rod took the win over Braxton Grose’s 4WD ’02 Silverado.
The ET Bracket Class final round couldn’t have put together two more different yet strangely equal trucks if they tried. Doug Brarens’ 2WD ’39 rat rod took the win over Braxton Grose’s 4WD ’02 Silverado.
A long manufacturer’s midway was located behind the main grandstand at the drag strip, where spectators could check out the latest diesel performance parts and get advice directly from industry experts to improve their own trucks.
A long manufacturer’s midway was located behind the main grandstand at the drag strip, where spectators could check out the latest diesel performance parts and get advice directly from industry experts to improve their own trucks.
While Millard didn’t crack 2,000 hp—1,900-horsepower—sure is impressive even if the truck sprays some coolant in the process.
While Millard didn’t crack 2,000 hp—1,900-horsepower—sure is impressive even if the truck sprays some coolant in the process.
A huge crowd gathered as they strapped down Dmitri Millard’s Chevy in anticipation of his attempt to break through the 2,000-horsepower barrier.
A huge crowd gathered as they strapped down Dmitri Millard’s Chevy in anticipation of his attempt to break through the 2,000-horsepower barrier.
Here are the Show-N-Shine winners from left to right: Best Dodge, Devin Stenftenagel; Best GM, Craig Snider; Best of Show, Dan Toops; Best Ford, Trevor Selinger; Best Big Rig, Corey McCord and Best Custom, Doug Brarens.
Here are the Show-N-Shine winners from left to right: Best Dodge, Devin Stenftenagel; Best GM, Craig Snider; Best of Show, Dan Toops; Best Ford, Trevor Selinger; Best Big Rig, Corey McCord and Best Custom, Doug Brarens.
Blake Miller (far lane) ran a 12.034 in the final round of the 12.0 Index Class to take the win over Dillon Carter who broke out with an 11.850 in the Dex Brown tribute truck.
Blake Miller (far lane) ran a 12.034 in the final round of the 12.0 Index Class to take the win over Dillon Carter who broke out with an 11.850 in the Dex Brown tribute truck.
There was plenty of very tight racing throughout the day as can be seen here where Derek Rose (far lane) runs side by side with eventual Pro Street winner Seth Sullivan.
There was plenty of very tight racing throughout the day as can be seen here where Derek Rose (far lane) runs side by side with eventual Pro Street winner Seth Sullivan.
The 10.5 Index final round was another close race with Bruce Block (near lane) taking the win over Lavon Miller by about 0.1-seconds at the line.
The 10.5 Index final round was another close race with Bruce Block (near lane) taking the win over Lavon Miller by about 0.1-seconds at the line.
Jon Bair took home the 3.0 Class Indy win with his bright orange Cummins-powered classic Chevy.
Jon Bair took home the 3.0 Class Indy win with his bright orange Cummins-powered classic Chevy.
Adam Hallien took home the Indy win in the 2.6 Class with the longest pull of the night.
Adam Hallien took home the Indy win in the 2.6 Class with the longest pull of the night.
Dalton Tarr’s Twisted Metal First Gen Dodge always looks great on the track, but tonight he didn’t have enough for the competition and finished outside the top-five.
Dalton Tarr’s Twisted Metal First Gen Dodge always looks great on the track, but tonight he didn’t have enough for the competition and finished outside the top-five.
Kent Crowder drove the Scheid Diesel Dodge to the win in the Super Stock Class pulling during one of the brief sunbreaks we got through the evening.
Kent Crowder drove the Scheid Diesel Dodge to the win in the Super Stock Class pulling during one of the brief sunbreaks we got through the evening.
Matt Clemons’ Alter Ego truck is always a crowd favorite, especially among the younger fans. He finished in fifth place in the Super Stock Class.
Matt Clemons’ Alter Ego truck is always a crowd favorite, especially among the younger fans. He finished in fifth place in the Super Stock Class.

1601 indy sled1601 indy drag

You May Also Like
Six original paintings from automotive fine artist Nicolas Hunziker

Charity auction for a collection of six original paintings to benefit Drive Toward a Cure

Charity auction for a collection of six original paintings to benefit Drive Toward a Cure Automotive auction platform and enthusiast community Bring a Trailer (BaT) […]
DW  PUNK LEAD

2014 Firepunk Dirt Drags—Bigger & Better!

2014 Firepunk Dirt Drags—Bigger & Better! We’re happy to report that diesel events continue to experience unprecedented growth. But we’re also witness to how this […]
DW X GATOR

Alligator Performance: Annual Event Brings Out the Northwest’s Best

There are a few certain things when it comes to diesel enthusiasts—we love our trucks and we love to have an excuse to get together, […]
DW  KNOX LEAD

Fun in Tennessee: Diesel Truck Series Knoxville

Building on the success of the Diesel Truck Series (DTS) event held last year at the Atlanta Motor Speedway (see Diesel World, July 2014), organizers […]