Well, I am excited to bring you guys the results and action from Emerald Coast Dragway, but at the same time, I am upset that it is over. Unfortunately, the Rudy’s Fall Truck Jam was canceled, which made this our final and what I thought would be the most exciting event of the year. We once again invaded one of the nicest racetracks in the country nestled in the northwest corner of Florida. But when you enter Florida, you’re up against mother nature.
If there is one thing I can take away from this racetrack, it’s that it makes for some killer sunset photos. You mix a Florida sunset and some diesel-powered action, and you’ve got yourself a good weekend. Unfortunately, that did not happen as I thought. Just days before the show kicked off, Hurricane Sally made landfall, scaring (in my opinion) most of the people away.
For good reason, a lot of people bailed on Florida because they were unsure what the conditions would be like post-hurricane. Even though we thought the coast was clear – no pun intended – outer bands of another incoming system dropped rain on our parade (pun intended). Although the event was canceled, the Emerald Coast Dragway crew ran two rounds of qualifying until the rain had other plans.
So without further ado, let’s dive into what happened, how it happened, and which drivers were crowned champions. By now, you know the drill. We’ve got the JAMO Performance Exhaust ET class, ATS Diesel Power 7.70 Index, Thoroughbred Diesel 6.70 Index, Firepunk Diesel Outlaw 5.90 Index, Hot Shot’s Secret Pro Mod, SunCoast Performance Pro Mod, and Industrial Injection Pro Dragster.
Industrial Injection Pro Dragster–Jared Jones
“I changed a rear gear set for 1/8th mile racing and it’s showing potential to get down to a 4.106 with a decent 60-foot time,” said Jones. “That tells me we might have a shot at a 3.9XX pass on fuel only, but we’ll have put nitrous on the old girl. Still, we haven’t applied it yet. We’re just starting off small to see what it can do.”
Although he raced alone for much of the year, Jared Jones has taken the Pro Dragster championship. Jones, a good friend and fellow racer, had better enjoy that win, because I am guaranteeing the newest dragster out of the Wagler camp is going to be a force to be reckoned with. Congratulations on the crazy-fast passes this year. I can’t wait to see you bury that car into the three-second-zone soon.
SunCoast Performance Pro Mod–Larson Miller
“It was an honor winning the ODSS points championship back to back,” beamed Miller. “Thanks to Gregg Jolly and everyone at ODSS for making the best of the 2020 season,” Miller said. “Team Firepunk poured a lot of time and effort into the build this year. This let us reset our own record and be the fastest diesel door car. We look forward to the stiff competition next year.”
The Pro Mod class is always a crowd favorite. As everyone knows, these vehicles are some of the loudest and fastest ones out there. Miller and the entire Firepunk Diesel have worked all year long to improve their elapsed time. Luckily for us, during qualifying, they did just that. Tearing down the track, they stopped the clocks with an elapsed time of 4.213 at 178.15 MPH.
Hot Shot’s Secret Pro Mod–Johnny Gilbert
“Even in this crazy 2020 year, it has been awesome that we’ve been able to hang out with our racing family,” said Gilbert. “Our team goal for the start of this year was to break records and just go fast after last year‘s championship season,” Gilbert said. “I am super proud of this team.”
Johnny Gilbert and his Stainless Diesel team have fought and fought this truck for a long time. I wasn’t sure where this truck would plateau, and right when I thought it did, Gilbert surprised everyone. This truck can damn near put a dial-in on the window with 4.98 written in white. They are really getting it figured out and this truck is so much fun to watch.
Although there weren't eliminations, we still had a field of cars and trucks qualifying making great passes.
Congratulations to Gilbert and Co. and their stellar 2020 performance.
Firepunk Diesel Outlaw 5.90 Index–Rod MacMaster
“This class is so much fun,” said MacMaster. “All of this, all my friends running with me, has made it an experience of a lifetime!” MacMaster said. “I’d like to thank all my sponsors. Hardway Performance, Suncoast Performance, S&S Diesel Motorsport, Airdog, and Hot Shot’s Secret for all the support. I would like to thank Ryan Milliken especially. For all the time and love he and my Hardway team put into that truck, I am speechless when it comes to how well that thing performs.”
Thoroughbred Diesel 6.70 Index–Landon Miller
If you can tow with the truck, swap wheels over, win, and tow again, that is great marketing for the parts they offer. Check out our feature on this truck!
Landon Miller has once again risen to the occasion and won another 6.70 index championship. As a tough competitor in qualifying, Miller has won every event this year in his class with loads of confidence heading into this one (had it not rained). Miller pilots “The Quad Cab,” which has done nothing but impress weekend after weekend.
ATS Diesel Power 7.70 Index–Ryan Riddle
“Although COVID-19 created an odd year, we were able to carry on the momentum from 2018 and 2019,” said Riddle. “Thank you to Firepunk Diesel, Anteater, Exergy Performance, Hot Shot’s Secret, Air Dog, and Tater Built Turbo Chargers. The goal of this truck has always been to showcase how industry-leading components perform on a daily driver. As a result, we have a consistent killer on the track and a workhorse on the street. Thank you to my wife and kids for all the help and motivation to go for the three-peat in 7.70. Also, thank you to the ODSS for giving the opportunities to get out and race this year. I look forward to 2021.”
JAMO Performance E.T.–Artie Maupin
Shoutout to Courtney Paulshock at CPaulshock Photography for capturing the truck just seconds before a pass. For more event photography, you can check out her event captures here.
As for me, I am thankful for the kind team at Hot Shot’s Secret for allowing me to pilot their BMW 335D and Duramax-powered tow rig at these races. I’ve got a soft spot for this style of racing and I am excited to finally finish on top. Without their kindness, it wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you to Kyle and the rest of the team at Hot Shot’s for making it happen. Let’s see if we can’t do it again next year!
I caught up with Gregg Jolly, Race Director of the Outlaw series. He had a few words about the finale event. “I’d like to extend a huge thanks to the crews at Hardway Performance and Emerald Coast Dragway for going against the odds and giving us not only a place to race, but a track that was able to put up record numbers yet again,” Jolly said. “It’s not the way we wanted to end the season, but we are already preparing for 2021 and looking forward to seeing everyone again soon.”
From left to right, Rudy's Diesel Pro Mod was wheels up in qualifying run number two. The next two are Austin Doidge, Austin Denny, and Brett Marcum taking their turn at the 660' surface to try and run that 5.90 elapsed time.
I hate to see it go, but this is the end the 2020 Outlaw Diesel Super Series season. Although this year has been unlike anything we’ve ever seen, the diesel community managed to stick together and make these events happen to the best of their abilities. Congratulations to all of this season’s champions and we’ll see you next year!
For more information about the Outlaw Diesel Super Series or any of the supporting sponsors of the series, be sure and check out their websites below. Need parts for your truck or have questions about your build, they can help you. For more part reviews, truck features, and event coverage, stay tuned right here to Diesel Army.
