DIESEL Motorsports: Celebrating Diesel Power Off the Beaten Path

By Ron Knoch/Photos courtesy DIESEL Motorsports

This article originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of THE SHOP magazine.

If someone told me in 2007 that I would still be doing DIESEL Motorsports events in 2025 (18 years later), I would have said they were crazy! I had planned to be sitting in a boat on some lake relaxing with a cold drink and fishing (whether I caught anything or not).

Nevertheless, DIESEL Motorsports is heading into our 18th year with some really great events and trips planned. As always, the weekend shows will involve HD pickup trucks, rods, semis and sometimes (since the COVID-19 pandemic) hot rods of all makes.

After attending our industry’s winter meetings and events, I would say people are feeling optimistic about motorsports again and I’m looking forward to a lot of action at the tracks this year.

Will it be as big as it was in 2007? I don’t think so, but activity will still be high.

The market has changed at least four or five times during the past 18 years of doing our events. Of course, engine technology has advanced within the diesel industry, bringing some of our trucks up to 3,000 hp. I would say the norm for horsepower in 2007 was around 400 hp, while today simple stock trucks are running 400 to 500 hp and the performance norm is more like 800 hp.

We also don’t see too many stacks coming out of pickup beds like we did in ’07, and the tire/wheel combos have changed dramatically. Today’s stock truck’s suspension is more like riding in a Cadillac than a 1-ton pickup.

Finally, the electronics are unbelievable on these new trucks, with all kinds of computerization of driving functions and gauges. So, when you head to a DIESEL Motorsports event this year, you’re guaranteed to see something new.

BUILDING ON SUCCESS

Let’s talk about activities at the events since 2007. Our first years were heavy on sled pulling and light on drag racing. Most competitors drove their trucks to the events, competed in them and then drove them home.

At the long-running Thunder in Muncie (started in 2001) the sled pulling went from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. with well over 40 trucks in each class. Fast-forward to this year’s Thunder in Muncie, set for May 3, where inductees will enter the DIESEL Motorsports Hall of Fame during a presentation at the Gaston Lions Club (see sidebar).

Back in those early days, drag racing was done over the 1/4-mile, with just a handful of trucks running under 12 seconds. Yes, there were a few that could run in the 10-second range, but they tended to break down quite frequently.

Meanwhile, most of the experimental vehicles were rails or rods, and sometimes they ran under 9 second, but also had many mechanical difficulties. So, it was mostly about seeing what your street truck could run in the 1/4-mile back in 2007.

Dyno testing was much bigger 18 years ago because the tuning industry had countless companies producing high-horsepower boxes that could push diesel drivetrains far beyond OEM standards. What many didn’t know was that the OE drivetrain components could not take the additional power, which resulted in compound failures.

Thus, a new industry emerged based on building diesel drivetrains with heavy-duty replacement parts that could handle extra horsepower and torque.

The truck show/Show-N-Shine portion of DIESEL Motorsports events has also grown quite a bit since the early 2000s. In the beginning, 20-inch wheel/tire combos were the exception, with most owners choosing 18-inch wheels and 2- to 4-inch lifts.

Of course, most of the spit and polish was focused on the truck and accessories including a performance-driven engine bay. Exhaust was mostly stacks with some unusual stack materials and shapes. The awards lineup often included Best of Show and individual honors for the best GM, Ford and Dodge vehicles.

Much has changed over the 18 years of promoting DIESEL Motorsports, as many promoters and businesses have come and gone over the years. Today’s enthusiasts were barely out of grade school back in the early 2000s and many who help start the industry are now retired, doing something else or have passed away.

PROMISING FUTURE

Jumping ahead 18 years to the 2025 season reveals many changes, not only in technology but also the marketplace in general.

The diesel market has grown to unbelievable numbers—in 2001 U.S. sales were $3.1 billion, while this year they are projected to reach $36.9 billion That’s more than a 300% increase, even in the age of EV directives.

Drag racing has overtaken sled pulling as the main activity at our events for several reasons. Most competitors are still in street trucks and run on the 1/8-mile tracks. I suggested the 1/8-mile distance many years ago as it puts less stress on our big HD trucks.

As many have found, the faster diesels are no longer trucks having gone to partial tube frames and fiberglass bodies, thus making them Pro Mod dragsters in the SFI class rules. However, with modern technology for our diesel drivetrains we have full metal HD drag trucks running in the 5- to 6-second range in the 1/8th mile.

The ET Bracket (street trucks) is the biggest class because it is based on your estimated time for running the 1/8-mile instead of who is the fastest. Winning comes down to reaction time and keeping a consistent speed.

Meanwhile, sled pulling differs in each state. Overall numbers have dropped considerably since COVID-19, mainly because of rising costs. The regulations organizations impose on the pulling classes make the builds super-expensive for the 2.6 SB, 3.0 SB and 3.6/Mod classes.

Because of those expenses we have seen fewer pulling trucks. However, a new Open Class option seems to be quite popular. We are seeing growing numbers for the Open class because it involves a street truck that can be driven to the track and compete. Safety still applies for high-HP trucks, but competitors can check for local rules for the Open class.

Dyno competitions have fallen off because the tuner boxes have gone away, other than the mild trailer tunes that are still legal. Back in the day we easily had 60-70 trucks lined up for the dyno competitions, while now we’re lucky to see 20-30.

The higher-end dyno displays are now for the specialty-built, high-horsepower trucks that run top speeds for a few seconds using nitrous and other accelerants. The dyno that is still tuned for everyday street trucks is hard to find and becoming less so. A lot of dynos are now up for sale, which shows the lack of use.

The truck show, or Show-N-Shine as we used to call it, has grown quite a bit because of the popularity of lift kits and larger wheel/tire combos. The higher the lift the more draw to the truck.

Also, the introduction of easy-to-get truck wraps has given us some entertaining visuals. We easily get 60-100 trucks in the show portion of the shows. No longer do you see large stacks on the trucks but custom exhaust out the back or sides instead. A complete package or Best of Show also entails customizing the engine compartment and the interior.

DIESEL Motorsports has over 20 categories for the truck show portion that covers work trucks such as tankers, dump trucks, service and utility vehicles. Recently we have seen quite a few custom rat rods along with rat rod farm equipment as well. It displays the creativity of our rural wrench crankers, so we never know what will show up at our events.

COME ON BY

Our schedule has included fewer events since COVID, mainly because of increased travel expenses. Costs have doubled or even tripled since the early days for amenities such as hotels, food, airfare, fuel and event insurance.

DIESEL Motorsports continues to hold events in rural areas because we enjoy the sport and the people we meet. Take a look at our events and if you are a shop owner, make plans to come display your brand and bring your customers’ trucks.

All you need is a popup tent, some folding tables, a few shiny parts and some business cards. You’ll be amazed by how many people will come by to talk about their builds.

2025 DIESEL Motorsports Schedule

• May 17 – HorsePower Festival (Show-N-Shine, swap shop, diesel/gas drags all classes); US 36 Dragway, Osborn, MO
• June 21 – East Coast Diesel Nationals (drags, sled pull, dyno, Show-N-Shine); Numidia Dragway, Numidia, PA
• July 11-12 – Redneck HP Show (truck/car drags, truck/car show); Rocket City Dragway, Huntsville, AL
• 29-31 – Horsepower Roundup (Show-N-Shine, music, swap shop, diesel/gas drags); Eddyville Raceway, Okaloosa, IA
• 25 – Route 66 Roundup (car/truck show, indoor expo); Cowan Civic Center, Lebanon, MO
• 11-13 – PRI Show; Indianapolis, IN

DIESEL Motorsports Hall of Fame

DIESEL Motorsports started a Hall of Fame back in 2012 to celebrate those who’ve impacted the industry. On May 3, 2025, during the Thunder in Muncie event in Indiana, a permanent plaque will be unveiled at the Gaston Lion’s Club Park listing all the HoF members.

The location is fitting, as it was the site of the first Thunder in Muncie diesel-only event, started by Eric McBride from nearby Albany, Indiana.

All HoF members were honored for their passion for the sport and advancement of diesel technology. They include:

• Dave Mitchell – 2012
• Scott Bentz – 2013
• Nowell Thomas aka HVAC – 2014
• Gene Mohney aka Sleddy – 2016
• Brady Williams – 2017
• Eric McBride aka DHRA – 2018
• Ron Knoch – 2020
• Bill McKnight – 2023
• Dave Radzierez aka Diesel Dave – 2024
• Bruce Block – 2025
• Jim Layden aka Lucky Dog – 2025

DIESEL Motorsports 2025 Sponsors

• ARP – Official Bolts
• Clevite – Official Engine Bearing
• MAHLE Motorsports – Official Piston
• Callies – Official Rod/Crankshaft
• Total Seal Ring – Official Rings
• MAHLE – Official Gaskets
• AutoMeter – Official Gauges
• SPAL USA – Official Fans
• Thermo-Tec – Official Turbo Cover/Heat/Sound Barrier
• Alliant Power – Racing ET Class Sponsor/Pulling Workstock Class
• Amsoil – Official Oil/Lubricant
• PPE Diesel – Official Heads & Tran/Oil Pans
• Pedal Commander – Official Throttle Controller
• GearHead Coffee – Official Coffee
• My Race Pass – Official Race Web/Timing System
• Epartrade – Official Electronic Performance Racing Trade
• Racing Junk – Official Classifieds

Ron Knoch is president of DIESEL Motorsports (National Association of Diesel Motorsports), a sanctioning body formed in 2007 for diesels that promotes all diesel motorsports associations, clubs and events, and hosts diesel drag racing, sled pulling, dyno competitions and Show-N-Shine events. Learn more at dieselmotorsports.us.