The much anticipated 2019 drag racing season is finally upon us. After months of cold, heartbreaking weather, it’s finally starting to warm up, and these hot rods are started to get dusted off. For some it’s a quick dust job, for others, it’s rebuilding, upgrading, and or repairing. Coming up on April 27th in Julian, North Carolina, the Outlaw Diesel Super Series invades Piedmont Dragway and floods the staging lanes with fire-breathing diesel-powered cars and trucks.

Like years past, the ODSS will feature many different classes that will fit you in any way it can including Sportsman, 7.70, 6.70, 5.90, Pro Street, Pro Mod, and Pro Dragster. The 2018 season was a nail-biter all the way down to the finale here at Piedmont as the points were decided in the final race in multiple classes. With 2018 still in the back of everyone’s heads, what else could possibly happen in 19′?

In the JAMO Exhaust Sportsman class, Ken Phillips looks to hold of Firepunk Diesel’s Landon Miller and Ryan Riddle once more in another super competitive year of racing making. The Sportsman category will more than likely bring in a ton of new drivers and bring back the ultra-consistence trucks like Phillips’. We can’t wait to see who has been practicing on the tree over the winter break.

The ATS and Diesel Power 7.70 Index class is another one of those classes that any truck entered could take home the W. Although he didn’t manage to seal the deal in Sportsman, Ryan Riddle hopes to continue on his tear in the 7.70 class where he has been coined, “Mr. 7.70.” We look forward to seeing who all has stepped up from Sportsman to a pro-tree equipped, heads up class.

The Flo~Pro Exhaust 6.70 Index class is where things really got heated up in 2018. Our Diesel Army truck battled it out with Swamps Motorsports driver, Mike Coleman all year long in hopes to bring home the bacon. Although there were wins throughout the year, Coleman and the Swamps 6.4-liter Power Stroke was crowned champion and looks to continue that momentum heading into 19′. That is if we allow him to… :-)

The newly added Firepunk Diesel Outlaw 5.90 Index class was one of the biggest classes last year and Race Director Gregg Jolly was very happy with the outcome. It takes a lot of time, money, and discussion to bring up a new class and this certainly paid off. Rick Fox was crowned champion in 2018, but there have been some serious changes to trucks over the winter that are in the class that may be a thorn in Fox’s side come Rudy’s season opener.

With trucks being sold, new ones being built, the Hot Shot’s Secret Pro Street class will be one to watch because it’s anyone’s game. Jackson, Gilbert, Overcash, Delekta, and Gonzalez are all capable of a low five-second pass and it’s not safe to bet against any of them. We can’t wait to see who comes out swinging first.

The Outlaw Diesel Super Series track prep crew has excelled since years past and it has shown. The SunCoast Diesel Pro Mod category has been probably the most fun to watch considering the raw power these cars and trucks create. The elapsed time record has been passed around more than a basketball in 2018 and there is no telling who will take it this year.

With Firepunk Diesel in their Save The Racks S-10 making new steam, Ben Shadday’s two-wheel-drive Ram lighter and faster than ever, and RLC Motorsports Michael Dalton in his new Industrial Injection powerplant, this is a class we’re ready to see.

To catch these guys after Rudy’s be sure and be in Indianapolis for the Ultimate Callout Challenge where the ODSS is putting on a Quick-8 Pro Mod Shootout where these guys battle it out in front of thousands. You won’t want to miss that. If you can’t make it, be sure and tune in to SpeedVideo for full event coverage.

Last, but certainly not least, the Industrial Injection Pro Dragster class is due for some exciting action. Although there aren’t a pile of dragsters that fill the pits, these guys are the fastest of the weekend and put on one hell of a show.

Wade Moody, the 2018 Pro Dragster points champion has his dragster up for sale, which leaves the door wide open for KingSpeed’s Michael Cordova, Scheid Diesel’s Jared Jones and Tameless Performance’s Aaron Reynolds to take home the crown. These guys just barely missed out on the crown but have a full winters load of steam heading into 2019. Will this year be the year we see a three-second diesel pass?

Stay tuned to Diesel Army for the full results from the Rudy’s Diesel season opener coming up in a few short weeks. For more information about the Outlaw Diesel Super Series, or for rules and records, be sure and check out their website.