The strongest, fastest, and best looking diesel trucks swarmed Southern Indiana for the third annual Wagler Diesel Competition in Elnora, IN on June 9-11, 2017. It was a fun, soot-filled weekend for diesel enthusiast from all walks of life. The Wagler Diesel Competition 2017 had plenty of action on tap, from sled-lugging torque monsters, to nitrous-huffing horsepower kings and alcohol-chugging pro mods racing against diesel-powered hot rods.
The performance diesel industry’s best manufacturers were on site to display their innovative technology and to offer helpful tips and tech support to the diesel community. Great food and good music was the final turn that locked the WDC 2017 in as great diesel event!
The manufacturer’s midway was the equivalent to a gearhead’s comic-con where grown men had a boyish gleam in their eye as they planned their ultimate truck build. Expert advice and cutting-edge technology was the topic of most conversations being had along vendor’s row.
The Show N Shine was the place to be for those who like to keep their trucks fresh and clean. There was an even mix of Chevy, Fords, and Dodges on display for spectators to ogle.
Friday Show N Shine Winners
• BEST OVERALL: Dusty Sullivan – 2014 Cummins
• BEST GM: Blaine Walker – 2003 Duramax
• BEST DODGE: Austin Myers – 2007.5 Cummins
• BEST FORD: Brent Jones – 1995 Power Stroke
Saturday Show N Shine Winners
• BEST OVERALL: Rich Strube – 2005 Duramax
• BEST GM: Rich Strube – 2013 Duramax
• BEST DODGE: Doug Bridges – 1948 Dodge
• BEST FORD: Dalton Gassaway – 2015 Power Stroke
For some, looking good is not enough, and power is what really counts. These types got as close to the dynamometer as the barricades would safely allow watching trucks strap to the rollers in an attempt to gain horsepower glory. There was plenty of nitrous on hand for those brave enough to use it, and trucks without kits could partake in the form of a very brave human nitrous controller who would crack a bottle directly into the intake pipe for a little HP boost.
• KING OF THE DYNO: Lavon Miller – 2006 Dodge – 1634/2841 fuel
• TOP FORD: Vinnie Hobert – 2004 E350 Van – 803/1402 fuel 1213/2203 nx
• TOP GM: Stephen O’neal – 2005 Chevy – 1247/2219 fuel 1332/2294 nx
• TOP DODGE: Blake Poore – 2007 Dodge – 709/1376 fuel 1095/1985 nx
The dirt-slinging, smoke-blowing, road show, known as the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League put on one heck of a show Friday and Saturday night. The trucks and tractors of the PPL came out swinging and when the smoke cleared five winners each night emerged victorious.
Friday Night Pro Pulling League Winners
• SUPER STOCK DIESEL TRUCK: Scheid Diesel Dodge – Kent Crowder, Attica, IN – 352.11 FT
• PRO STOCK DIESEL TRUCK: Gertrude – Jim Greenway, Nixa, MO – 342.88 FT
• LIMITED PRO DIESEL TRUCK: Cantankerous – Mac Cottrell, Finchville, KY – 333.27 FT
• HOT FARM TRACTOR WINNER: Red Strokes – Jeff Fleck, Ferdinand, IN – 337.65 FT
• LIMITED PRO STOCK TRACTOR: Real Deere – Justin Wagler, Morgantown, IN – 358.06 FT
Saturday Night Pro Pulling League Winners
• SUPER STOCK DIESEL TRUCK: Cream of the Crop – Justin Gearhart, Circleville, OH – 326.24 FT
• PRO STOCK DIESEL TRUCK: Penn Farms – Matt Penn, Edina, MO – 318.39 FT
• LIMITED PRO DIESEL TRUCK: Flirt N with Disaster – Jeff Hossler, Columbia City – 326.43 FT
• HOT FARM TRACTOR: Never-E-Nuff – Charlie Kirschner, Carlisle, IN – 325.07 FT
• LIMITED PRO STOCK TRACTOR: Real Deere – Justin Wagler, Morgantown, IN – 310.28 FT
The WDC 2017 extended the fun into Sunday with a new type of drag race called the Diesel vs Gas Shootout that gives diesel powered race cars and trucks a chance to line up against the big boys. The Diesel vs Gas Shootout follows the Wagler tradition of thinking outside of the box. Wagler Competition Products strives to be an innovator in all things that we do.
Two-time Hot Rod Drag Week Champion, Jeff Lutz, was on site with Mad Max looking for some Big Tire Shootout action. Discovery Channel’s Street Outlaws star, Farmtruck, was also there sharing driving duties of the WCP DX500-powered ShopTruck with Jeremy Wagler.
The competition was tough and there were four rail dragsters on the property looking to grab the $5K payout. Yet, the Big Tire final would see Judd Coffman’s twin turbo Pro Modified Mustang take on the blown alcohol dragster driven by Richard Edwards in an epic race where the door-slammer prevailed. Congrats to all of the winners of the inaugural Diesel vs Gas Shootout!
• Big Tire NT Shootout Winner: Judd Coffman – 1967 Mustang Pro Mod (481X-powered)
• Small Tire Shootout Winner: Ryan Milliken – 1966 Nova (Cummins -powered)
• Pro Street Winner: Johhny Gilbert – Pro Street Dodge (Cummins-powered)
• 6.70 Index Winner: Garry Harris – Chevy Silverado (LS-powered)
• 7.70 Street Fighter: Bill McCarty – Dodge Ram (SB Chrysler-powered)
We would like to thank all of the sponsors, vendors, competitors, workers, attendees and live feed viewers for making the Wagler Diesel Competition 2017 a huge success!
