The Latest, SPE Motorsport Performance Industry News - Big Race Changes; New Light Up Tires, and more

Old Dodge, New Tricks

If you’re a seasoned veteran of the diesel industry you remember this second-gen. Once campaigned by TS Performance (and powered by a Scheid-built, P-pumped 24-valve Cummins), “Caged Fury” ran a best of 5.78 in the eighth-mile back in the day, before being retired. A few years ago, it was sold, relocated up north and began undergoing a host of modern updates at DNR Customs. A common-rail power plant, a TH400 with a divorced SCS quick change transfer case, and an extensive weight loss program commenced. On top of that, the truck is now back-halved, sports a 9-inch front axle with rack and pinion steering, and a new Forced Inductions GT55 under the hood.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064493418184

Crazyhorse Takes Second In Bradenton

Late last week, the spring running of Cleetus MacFarland’s AWD vs. RWD shootout took place in Florida. With a sea of diesel heads behind him, Nathan Wheeler arrived in Bradenton confident that the latest version of his Crazyhorse Ford could pull off another victory. Nathan would come close, ultimately taking Second Place overall in a year where the RWD camp brought its A-game. The official tally included 17 wins for RWD and 14 W’s for AWD this time around, with event winner, Willy Dynamite, taking home $43,000 in cash. It’s back to the drawing board for Nathan and his team, but not much (if anything) needs to be changed in order to come out on top at the next one.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAPGS3kGJHw

This Seventy 2 Fast Duramax Is Bringing 1,100hp To Indy

Trace Wilks is doing his part to make sure the Duramax platform has a shot at winning the fuel-only, $100,000 Seventy 2 Fast race in June. During a recent visit to Hardway Performance’s chassis dyno, and thanks to timely tuning revisions being supplied from Dominic Ferrante, his crew cab LBZ squeezed 1,072-rwhp out of the 72mm VS Racing turbo. More importantly, the truck produced 1,000 hp continuously for 1,400 rpm up top, which should equate to strong passes the entire trip through the eighth. The rest of Trace’s combination includes a DHD-built engine, 300-percent over injectors, a pair of 10mm CP3’s, and a manual valve body 48RE transmission.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/tracewilks721/posts/pfbid0YbrXBhTFRzfadvpwXTsJgH1Vk9EMUcTRonC1JDjpCX4RWazAoBFXwbqxaetm9gS1l

Lighted Tires? Ford's Latest Patent

Two weeks in a row we've shared a Ford patent that blew our minds. This week, it's illuminated tires. Yes tires. Not wheels, tires. With an integrated power source. With the idea that patents are made for future projects, often times ones they don't even have a plan for, and with the rock light trend fully back in style from the old neon glow days, we guess Ford made a good call here in taking the idea before anyone else could. So when exactly do we get to live a real life version of Tron? 

Source: https://fordauthority.com/2026/04/future-ford-vehicles-could-get-illuminated-tires/ 

Readying Austin Denny’s 6.0L Lightning F-150 For Takeoff

A Power Stroke at Hardway Performance? Austin Denny’s 6.0L-powered F-150 Lightning also spent some time within the Hardway stable recently. The goal? Get this billet block beast to spool cleanly. After a long day of making the Ford’s factory PCM play nice with the ECU Master, Hardway and Denny’s mission was achieved. Now to start setting baby step goals for the track, starting with figuring out the truck’s happy place for traction and conquering the 60-foot. Look for Austin’s Pro Mod at the upcoming Rudy’s Spring Truck Jam, and rumor has it he may have it on display at the Hub City Dirt Drags this May 8^th and 9^th.

 Source: https://hardwayperformance.com/

Diesels In The Dirt

Without question, dirt drags have attracted more and more diesel owners in recent years, and the Hub City Dirt Drags events are perhaps the best example of what compression ignition is capable of in this growing sport. For 2026, the masterminds of Hub City have teamed up with the folks behind the Southern Ohio Smoke Show and North Iowa Truck Fest to bring a 4-race points (and money) series to the Midwest. Coined the Diesel Dirt Drag Series, it will feature two diesel-specific racing classes: Street Diesel and Hot Street. The tour kicks off in Richland Center, Wisconsin on May 9^th.

Source: https://hubcitydirtdrags.com/dirt-drags