Event Coverage: Scheid Diesel Extravaganza 2022 – A Return to Normal

To say the stands were packed at The 26th annual Scheid Diesel Extravaganza 2022 would be a high understatement. Undeniably, the weather was perfect and raw power packed the grounds for the Outlaw Diesel Super Series and the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League. The best in diesel power showed up in Lyons, Indiana, at Wagler Motorsports Park for one of the best diesel events of the year.

Each year, Scheid Diesel puts on the event, and if you got there early, the weekend kicked off with a country music concert and party on Thursday night. Dakota Danielle and Sean Stemaly got the night rolling and Chris Cagle rounded out the concert lineup. It was a perfect primer for a weekend of diesel power.

Scheid Diesel Extravaganza

Diesel-powered dragsters are not the norm, but definitely exciting to watch.

Friday started with test and tune runs on both tracks as well as qualifying runs for the Outlaw Diesel Super Series. Later Friday evening was the first round of the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Truck & Tractor Pull. Then the action went on well into the night, finishing under the lights of the pull track.

Spectators showed in force on Saturday for the show. It was a day of raw horsepower, huge plumes of diesel smoke, and exciting competition. Finally, the Lucas Oil Pro Pull finished the motorsports portion of the event and Southbound Beretta finished the night with a concert on the pulling track.

Scheid Diesel Extravaganza

Packed Stands for the Outlaw Diesel Super Series

Throughout the weekend, there were dyno competitions as well as a two-day diesel-only show and shine competition presented by Purdue Diesel Club. With hundreds of top-tier entries, the judges had the near-impossible task of picking the winners.

Greg Nobel’s Custom GMC

Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League

The Lucas Oil Pro Pull was awesome to watch. It’s no wonder the pulls are a fan favorite. While wandering the pits, it was surprising to see how much pulling technology has evolved over the last 10 years. Without a doubt, the best thing about it was watching the spectators and fans have their questions answered by the drivers and crew.

Scheid Diesel Extravaganza

Stacy Gwinn – Juiced Up

Nick Zaenkert has always wanted to pull at the Scheid Diesel Extravaganza. Finally, he made the trip with his truck, High Steaks. He loaded up and made the trip from Okeana, Ohio with his crew chief and cousin, Matt Conrad. After a decade of being a spectator, it was time to be part of the show.

 

Nick Zaenkert – High Steaks

High Steaks is a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 competing in the Pro Street 2.6 Diesel Class. The truck has been completely gutted and the frame reinforced for pulling. Additionally, the steering has been replaced and the front suspension rebuilt. Also, you have to love that paint job!

Running a 6.7 Cummins with two injection pumps, a custom-built intercooler, and a Harts 2.6 turbo, this truck is capable of winning every time it shows up to an event. Nick did just that during the Saturday morning session, taking First Place in his class. His best pull for the weekend was 330 feet.

Scheid Diesel Extravaganza

Nick’s First-Place Pull

The subtlety of the Interstate Diesel truck driven by Scott Willoughby (below) catches the eye by not being flashy. A plain black truck definitely stands out in a field full of bright graphics. However, this truck is more unique than you might think. Most trucks competing in the 3.6 Pro Stock Diesel Truck class use the standard mechanical fuel injectors, but Scott has converted to a common rail system to feed his Cummins-powered truck.

Scott Willoughby – Interstate Diesel

Stevie Willoughby, Scott’s brother and co-owner of the truck say they are still learning the quirks of the common rail system. Pulling puts a unique strain on the fuel system, but with greater control over the timing of injection, they feel it gives them an edge. The weekend started great for the brothers, but they realized something was wrong with the truck. After they got it home, they found the intercooler had broken. They already have a plan to fix it and are looking forward to the next pull.

Outlaw Diesel Super Series

Over on the drag strip, the Outlaw Diesel Super Series action was intense. Several classes competed all weekend and there were tons of excitement on the track. Sadly, there were two accidents, but fortunately, no injuries. The Wagler crew kept the track in top condition for the entire weekend of racing.

Top Tier Diesel Racing

The treated track surface at the Scheid Diesel Extravaganza was hot and sticky, and due in part to perfect track conditions, Ben Shadday with Done Right Diesel set a record in the Outlaw Diesel series in the Diesel Pro Mod class. His best pass was 4.160 hitting a crazy 178.44 mph in his white Corvette!

New Record – Ben Shaddy – 4.160 seconds at 178.44 mph

In the Diesel Pro Dragster class, Mattie Graves took the win. She is working through her second year racing the Outlaw Diesel Series, and she has only been racing for four years. Starting at 16, she raced her truck and quickly graduated to dragsters. Mattie says, “I started in a pickup truck, so I went from a 7,000-pound ride with four doors to a dragster weighing 2,200 pounds.”

Pop ‘Chute!

In four years, Mattie has progressed exponentially as a driver. Getting more comfortable in the car and gaining consistency, she is already looking to the future, “My dream is to go top fuel racing, ” said Mattie grinning. She is a driver to keep your eye on.

Mattie G smokin’ the tires

Matt Hatfield, Mattie’s engine builder, explained the Hollyrock-Customs-sponsored dragster is powered by a twin-turbo Duramax. Also, the block is a 425 ci LML solid block with a Winberg crankshaft and Wagler Competition Products heads. Finally, an HSP Diesel intake, aluminum rods, and 16 pounds of boost round out this dragster’s motivation. The car, crew, and driver have a lot of winner’s circle celebrations in their future.

Climate Change

Mark Your Calendar

The Scheid Diesel Extravaganza 2022 was recently moved to Wagler Motorsports Park. Consequently, people worried the event would not be as fun. However, the consensus at the event was that it was better to have everyone together for the weekend. The pits and campgrounds were full of people enjoying each other’s company. Overall, it felt good to return to normal.

If you missed the 2022 Scheid Diesel show, be sure to add it to your calendar for next year. It is a great event showcasing the best of all things diesel.

Talk about a wild ride.

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About the author

Matthew Callaway

Matt's main passions are photography, writing and adventure motorcycles. Growing up in race car garages and exploring back country trails he's well versed in all things motorsports.
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