To qualify for the NHRDA World Finals, you must attend one of their events that’s spread across the country and even into Canada. This prestigious event is held at the historic Texas Motorplex just outside of Dallas, Texas where legendary races have happened. But, over the weekend, it was the diesel industry’s turn to terrorize the drag strip as they finish this long year of drag racing.

On Friday night, the sled pulling was in full force. There was a parking lot full of fans and drivers ready for a night of action in the Limited Pro Stock, Pro Stock, and Super Stock classes. With the points chase winding down, everyone was laying it all on the line to take home a world championship in Texas. But, after a long year of wear and tear, some parts expired and hearts were broken.

In the Limited Pro Stock class, it was Dan Vallance, owner of Valair Performance Diesel Clutches, taking the win in the class. “Every night when we get onto the track, it’s strictly business, but I still get butterflies every time,” said Vallance. “Apparently, my driveshaft was twisted after my attempt in Pro Stock ending our night there. We are very happy with our 2018 performance and we look forward to the 2019 season.”

Bumping up the weight, it was Brad Ingram taking home a world championship in the Pro Stock category. Their Scheid Diesel-backed Ram was set on kill and drove it out the back door. “Everyone I bring to the track is all my family and they all help with the entire operation, including Brady who spotted the track for me,” said Ingram. “I want to thank the entire crew back home that keeps us going. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible. Also, I’d like to thank the entire crew at Scheid Diesel for keeping the truck going, South Bend Clutches for sponsoring the class, and of course, the NHRDA.”

In the biggest class and on the biggest stage, it was Jim Greenway who is continuing his dominance in the class with his truck, Luther. “I am very fortunate and blessed to do what we get to do. I’d like to thank FASS Diesel Fuel Systems, Kenny’s Pulling Parts, Harts Diesel, all of the help back at the shop, and especially my family,” said Greenway. “You have to have a good support system doing this, and luckily for me, I’ve had it and it’s resulted in great success.”

Photo’s marked NHRDA are courtesy of the National Hot Rod Diesel Association.

As the night ended on Friday, the once quiet Texas evening turned nasty. The weather rolled in and nearly ruined a great weekend of racing. As the morning came, a large storm came through producing what we think was three tornados near the track. Randy Cole, the operator of the NHRDA, called the racing off for Saturday as it was entirely too dangerous to even be on the property and rescheduled it for Sunday morning. “We told everyone we were rescheduling for Sunday, but after seeing six inches of rain on the track, we didn’t know if it would happen,” said Cole. “Luckily for us, the crew at the Texas Motorplex did what they do best and prepped this track for race day perfectly.”

In the Sportsman class, it was Alberta, Canada native, Kendal Freed taking home the win. “I have had a ton of fun racing all of these events and it has been a privilege to race in this beautiful country,” said Freed. “I’m just glad I can take this win back to Canada to have something to remember the experience.”

Although he didn’t come away with the victory, James Erwin came away with the Randy’s Off-Road Sportsman class points championship. “Everyone thinks that just because these trucks are slower they are easier racing. That’s not the case, because we have the hardest class out here I think,” said Erwin. “This class is the most competitive and we are all family here. I’d like to thank Unleashed Duramax Tuning, they help out a ton and I want to thank god because, without god, we wouldn’t be here to race.”

In the much heavier, but equally as competitive, Big Rig Bracket class, Ron Clifton takes home yet another world championship. “I’ve had a blast traveling around the country this year and competition,” said Clifton. “I want to thank the NHRDA for holding these events. Although I didn’t get to race my son, we’re all basically family and we had fun. We will be back next year to defend our title traveling through California, Kentucky, and even Montana. It’s a ton of miles, but it’s worth it.

A die-hard racer that is battling on and off the track, Scott McKinstry, has been double classing for years and it’s showing with his fourth championship in the NHRDA. As a cancer survivor, McKinstry keeps his chin up by going out and doing what he loves with his friends and family. “Normally Sportsman is my class, but this year Super Diesel just started working and kept going,” said McKinstry. “I want to thank Nitrous Outlet, DDP, Lucas Oil, Hot Shot’s Secret, Jimmy Prescher’s Roofing, my whole crew, and family.”

In the G & J Diesel Pro Stock category, Jarid Vollmer in the “batmobile” took home the win over Matt Kubik. “We have been trying different things on the buttons and it wasn’t working at all in qualifying. Finally, I said let’s just try this, and it worked,” said Vollmer. “I knew Firepunk was coming and Kubik was running great and I had to be on my game. We were head to head the whole time down the track and we couldn’t believe how close it was. I want to thank G & J Diesel, MBRP, PPE, NHRDA and FASS Diesel Fuel Systems for all of our support all year long.”

In Pro Street, Industrial Injection‘s own, Jared Delekta finally took down his friendly competition, Dustin Jackson. “It’s been a fun and wild year for sure. We have been busting our asses all year and it feels good to win,” said Delekta. “The rain yesterday was unfortunate especially when we heard tornados. We don’t get those in Utah and we didn’t know what do so we just ran to town and relaxed last night. As for Dustin, we have been chasing him all year and I told him I was going to get him someday and today was the day.”

One second faster than the Super Diesel category, the double class entry of Larry Brown took home the win in 10.90 Index and he did so in great fashion. Brown took the light, headed down the track and ran dead on the dial with a 0. “It has been a blast racing all year and it was great running a 10.000,” said Brown. “I want to thank Ryan Milliken at Hardway Performance and Jarid Vollmer with Breakout Tuning for getting the truck dialed in.”

In the Top Diesel class, it was mayhem. Both Wade Moody and Jared Jones broke their dragsters basically giving the win to John Robinson, driver of the Power Service Diesel dragster. “I hate to win like that but a win is a win. We have been doing a lot of NHRA racing this year with great success and even getting into the .30’s,” said Robinson. “I want to thank the Kramer family of Power Service Diesel, Crower Clutches, and Dan Scheid. I wouldn’t be able to do this without them and my crew.”

As seen on DieselArmy.com, Phillip Franklin sealed up a great 2018 year with a win in the Super Street category. “We are on a new setup and this race has been basically learning curve on the new setup. This class is getting faster and I’m expecting to see a lot of cage certifications being broke in 2019,” said Franklin. “I want to thank Truck Source Diesel, Gorend Transmission, S & S Motorsport, SoCal Diesel, Diamond Racing Pistons, One-Up Off-Road, Granby Truck Shop, Midwest Turbo, and lastly my family always supporting me and dad helping me get the truck ready for this race.

One of Super Diesel’s dedicated drivers, Devin Ratliff, finally got his world championship. After traveling all over the country covering multiple circuits, it’s been a good 2018 for the Ratliff crew. “I honestly just got lucky in this class. The competition here is as stiff as it gets but I’m glad to get the win,” said Ratliff. “I want to thank Larson at Firepunk Diesel, Kyle at Hot Shot’s Secret, Brian Carter at Suncoast Transmission‘s, and everyone who has ever helped me.”

Gord Cooper, Canada native, dominated the Hot Rod Semi class once again but now has some approaching competition. Mario Monetti is hot on his heels with 2019 in his sights. “I think 2019 and years to come will be good. Mario is coming along nicely and he can run with me, but let’s see how it progresses,” said Cooper. “I want to thank my family, Wendy, Jim, and Wayne. Without their help, I couldn’t do this for now 17 seasons. I want to thank BD Diesel Performance for helping me all this time and supplying me with new turbos. Smokin’ Gun is a beast and the BD turbos has given me the boost and power I need to win.”

Lastly, but certainly not least, Amalee Mueller, driver of multiple trucks, has set out to do something great for a great cause. Mueller pilots a second generation Ram in the Limited Pro Stock and Pro Stock sled pulling classes as well as her third generation Ram in the Hot Shot’s Secret Drag Racing series. Mueller set up a deal with Kyle Fischer of Hot Shot’s Secret to donate money to the cancer research of her choosing, Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

“I’m thankful for my mom being here and this wouldn’t be possible to do without her and my dad. We have been to all of the events and it’s been mind-blowing to how well both sled pulling and drag racing has gone for us,” said Mueller. “I’m thankful for the Firepunk crew piloting the “Save The Racks” S10 and all the awareness they’ve brought to the organization. We are all working together as a family and it’s going to a great cause.

“For every pass Larson and I make, $50 is donated. For every runner-up, an extra $250 is donated and if we were to win the class, an extra $500 is donated. It’s been amazing how this year has gone after starting great in Arizona, backing it up in Tulsa and just get up the success. I want to thank Kyle Fischer at Hot Shot’s Secret as they have backed us the whole way.” Amalee and everyone involved with this over the 2018 season has raised $5,950.

It’s been a great year in the NHRDA season and we look forward to what 2019 has to bring. For more information on the closest NHRDA race near you, check out their website. Stay tuned to Diesel Army for the latest in diesel.