A Clash of Diesel Titans at Wagler Motorsports Park

Thursday: Move-In Day at Wagler Motorsports Park

For years, Scheid Diesel Extravaganza has been one of the most talked-about events in the entire diesel industry. With its long days, late nights, unbelievable crowds, and action-packed competition, "SDX," now held at Wagler Motorsports Park in Lyons, Indiana, is still the place to be every August.

Moving SDX from Terre Haute has truly been a blessing. In years past, showgoers would have to decide whether they wanted to watch sled pulling or drag racing, as the pulling track and Crossroads Dragway are a great distance away from each other (a very long walk) at the fairgrounds. Now, because of a super-convenient layout, attendees have the luxury of watching sled pulls and drag races happening side-by-side, by simply walking back and forth between each venue.

As we made our way into the show late Thursday afternoon, vendor row was being set up, trucks and tractors were getting unloaded, and everyone was getting ready for the controlled chaos that is Scheid Diesel Extravaganza, unfolding over the course of a long, hot weekend.

Dan Scheid: the Man, the Myth, the Legend

If you're a hardcore diesel enthusiast, you have definitely heard the name Dan Scheid. He's arguably one of the most prominent builders of competitive diesel engines of all time. Since the early 1970s, Dan has watched Scheid Diesel Service evolve from being an idea and a plan to its current state: a three-shop operation that has served as a starting point for many of the nation's fastest and most powerful diesel-powered machines.

Scheid Diesel Extravaganza event was an experiment that started in Effingham, Indiana, in 1997, held in conjunction with another event. Today, it is one of the premiere all-diesel events held in the U.S.

Friday: Scheid Diesel Extravaganza Day 1 Qualifying

On race day, a feeling of excitement was in the air for competitors and spectators alike. Both pits were buzzing with engines warming up and competitors ticking off tasks on their checklists. For the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, top drivers from each class had a chance to qualify and hopefully advance to the show later that night.

Outlaw Diesel Super Series Sportsman drivers were getting test passes in for Saturday, and in the Pro categories were making qualifying passes to hopefully place themselves high on the ladder for eliminations.

Friday's Night Lucas Oil Sled Pulling Show

As one would expect at a Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League event, the crowd was outstanding. For a Friday, the event was already a success. After qualifying, the competition only had room for 10 from each flight in the Pro Stock Diesel, Pro Street Diesel, Super Farm Tractor, and Pro Stock Tractor classes.

Megatron Wows the Crowd in Qualifying

Novinger, Missouri, native Jason Wayman is no stranger to sled pulling. He's been modifying this truck since 2008. Since 2011, he's managed to podium and top some of the biggest events in the U.S., including the 2018 Scheid Diesel Extravaganza. After helping out with the Ultimate Callout Challenge, Jason and Megatron were tested and ready, and the Ram had enough power to win the qualifying round.

Friday Night Sled Pulling Results

Pro Stock Tractors

Super Farm Tractors

Super Stock Diesel Trucks

Saturday Night Sled Pulling Results

Pro Stock Tractors

Super Stock Diesel Trucks

Stout 6.0-Liter: Austin Denny's Record Breaking Weekend in Pro Street

From ATS Diesel Performance/MotorTrend 7.70 index to Hot Shot's Secret Pro Street, Austin Denny has climbed the ranks in the Outlaw Diesel Super Series over the last few years and put himself and his 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel-powered Ford in the spotlight. Winning an event means everything for an ODSS racer, but winning at a Pro Street level is what dreams are made of. In fact, Austin went to social media with a statement following his dominant weekend.

"We won Pro Street at the Scheid Diesel Extravaganza! This truck continues to fight me, make me look dumb, but it all paid off," Austin says. "After a high-pressure oil pump failure in qualifying, we had to scramble to get another one. Once we acquired one, it was a matter of getting it back on the truck and getting into the last round of qualifying."

For some, a part failure would end a weekend. For Austin and his crew, it meant someone was making a drive to the nearest replacement. Although the failed part may have gotten the crew down, little did they know that the biggest payoff was yet to come. Austin was the lowest seed on the bracket heading into eliminations but that meant nothing. If it is your time, it is your time.

Ultimate Callout Challenge champion, Justin Zeigler, faced off against a stout Dirty Hooker Diesel crew in round one, where Tyler Burkhard jumped the gun and turned on a red light, which handed Justin the win. This left RLC's Michael Dalton and Austin to complete round one—the semifinal—to see who would fight for the top spot in the next round.

Austin, who was outgunned against Mike's bright orange Ram in terms of e.t., knew what he was facing. His best elapsed times were close, but Austin's nitrous-fed Ford needed to get the jump. Knowing what he needed to do, Austin got out early and held Mike off.

As if being outgunned in the semifinal wasn't enough, Austin faced an even taller order in the final. Justin's Dodge Ram, which has been in the 4-second zone already, was struggling to make the perfect pass. As the tree fell, Austin got the jump once again, and that great reaction time (.114 over Justin's .293) helped earn him his first Pro Street victory.

With a 3,300-horsepower-capable engine, one is right in assuming Justin would easily collect and possibly pass his opponent. He did catch Austin, but he was .0167 thousandths short. Austin was pushing for a 5.2X pass all weekend. Not only did he earn the victory, he got it with a 5.284 at 136.65. On the other side, Justin made a charge with a quicker but losing 5.121.

"I couldn't do it without the help of everyone on my team and the companies that help," Austin says.

Girl Power: Mattie Graves Takes the Trophy Back to Maryland

After burying her Duramax-powered dragster in the 4.20s during testing a few days prior to Scheid Diesel Extravaganza, Mattie Graves and her Hollyrock Customs team headed to Wagler Motorsports Park to take on two other dragsters. For once, believe it or not, Cummins-powered rails were the minority. With two Duramax-motivated dragsters on the property, the chances of a V-8 winning were up.

Although the track fought her and the car, Mattie's team worked through it and found themselves in the winner's circle once again. Although the points championship is unreachable, the Hollyrock team has made leaps and bounds this year with a new car. Mattie is chipping away at personal best elapsed times, which only means the throne that has typically been Jared Jones' is in danger.

Outlaw Diesel Super Series Results

NOTE: E.T Class' Ken Phillips entered the class with two separate vehicles hoping to better his chances of victory. He managed to get both entries to the final four, where he would take both second and third places.

Midway through Saturday's action, something bad happened. Stainless Diesel's Johnny Gilbert had piloted his 1963 Chevrolet Corvette all day without issue. Unfortunately, during his last pass of the day, he got into the wall and ended up in the sand at the end of the track. Luckily, Johnny was unharmed and was only a little sore.

The car is another story. Although it is repairable, it suffered extensive body damage. Everyone frantically ran towards the end of the track to check on their fellow racer and they were relieved to know that Johnny was OK. He was checked out at a nearby hospital later that evening.

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