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Dodge, Chevy, and Ford Battle in the Dirt

Diesel hosts a truck pull in the midst of the Heart of Illinois Fair in Peoria, Illinois. It’s the finale in a weeklong schedule (five straight nights) of trucks, tractors, and semis hooking to the sled. However, this event is reserved solely for pickup trucks—just our cup of tea. From a stock turbo diesel class to an open class that allows anyone—diesel or gas—to compete, it’s not uncommon for upwards of 60 trucks to show up.

One of the more unique aspects of this particular event is that a concrete pavilion covers 250-feet worth of the track. This means the pull can be held rain or shine. Granted, if it rains, the track has to be shortened (which is never fun for competitors) but nevertheless, the event is not 100 percent dependent on Mother Nature’s cooperation. Luckily, the rain held off until the pulls were just about over this year, and we were able to capture every inch of the 300-foot action. DW

There were trucks as far as the eye could see at the 2015 Heart of Illinois Fair. While the fair hosts a sled pull virtually every night, we attended the last one—a truck pull put on by the Power Stroke gurus at River City Diesel. Classes consisted of Stock Turbo, Work Stock, Hot Street, and Open.
There were trucks as far as the eye could see at the 2015 Heart of Illinois Fair. While the fair hosts a sled pull virtually every night, we attended the last one—a truck pull put on by the Power Stroke gurus at River City Diesel. Classes consisted of Stock Turbo, Work Stock, Hot Street, and Open.
The best part about holding a stock turbo diesel truck class is the variety of vehicles that sign up. Joe Laverdiere entered his ’15 Dodge Ram 1500 Eco Diesel in the stock turbo class for a little fun. And even though he would place at the back of the pack, his 30-mpg pickup left under its own power…and made it into work the next day.
The best part about holding a stock turbo diesel truck class is the variety of vehicles that sign up. Joe Laverdiere entered his ’15 Dodge Ram 1500 Eco Diesel in the stock turbo class for a little fun. And even though he would place at the back of the pack, his 30-mpg pickup left under its own power…and made it into work the next day.
While browsing the pits, this uber-clean second generation Cummins owned by Brandon Davis stopped us dead in our tracks. To make a long story short, the truck is an ’01 HO model with the NV5600 and just 60,000 original miles. And being that he bought it out in Vegas, we believe him when he says it’s never seen rain. He parks it in a climate-controlled garage now that it lives in the Midwest.
While browsing the pits, this uber-clean second generation Cummins owned by Brandon Davis stopped us dead in our tracks. To make a long story short, the truck is an ’01 HO model with the NV5600 and just 60,000 original miles. And being that he bought it out in Vegas, we believe him when he says it’s never seen rain. He parks it in a climate-controlled garage now that it lives in the Midwest.
How many times have you been to a truck pull that ended up being rained out? We’ve seen several. Thanks to the 250x85 foot concrete covered outdoor arena at the Expo Gardens fairgrounds in Peoria, Illinois, pulls can take place rain or shine.
How many times have you been to a truck pull that ended up being rained out? We’ve seen several. Thanks to the 250×85 foot concrete covered outdoor arena at the Expo Gardens fairgrounds in Peoria, Illinois, pulls can take place rain or shine.
Stock turbo with a nasty tune? We think so. In the case of Kevin Dermody’s Sierra, he would come up just over a foot short of First Place in the stock turbo class.
Stock turbo with a nasty tune? We think so. In the case of Kevin Dermody’s Sierra, he would come up just over a foot short of First Place in the stock turbo class.
Despite having a serious boost leak, Chance Meyer’s GMC still ended up taking Fourth Place in the Work Stock Class. With an S366 feeding a built LB7 Duramax, and 100-percent over injectors combined with dual CP3s fueling it, this truck could’ve easily been the frontrunner.
Despite having a serious boost leak, Chance Meyer’s GMC still ended up taking Fourth Place in the Work Stock Class. With an S366 feeding a built LB7 Duramax, and 100-percent over injectors combined with dual CP3s fueling it, this truck could’ve easily been the frontrunner.
Due to the factory compound turbocharger arrangement on 6.4L powered Fords and a considerably sized factory turbo on Duramax mills, it’s sometimes hard for the Cummins crowd to keep up in a stock turbo class. However, Garret Stewart’s ’04 Dodge put in a strong effort against the Bow Tie and Blue Oval competition, finishing Fourth overall.
Due to the factory compound turbocharger arrangement on 6.4L powered Fords and a considerably sized factory turbo on Duramax mills, it’s sometimes hard for the Cummins crowd to keep up in a stock turbo class. However, Garret Stewart’s ’04 Dodge put in a strong effort against the Bow Tie and Blue Oval competition, finishing Fourth overall.
Squeaking out the win in the competitive stock turbo class was Kevin Garlisch. His ’07 LBZ would go nearly 282 feet before the sled caught up to it.
Squeaking out the win in the competitive stock turbo class was Kevin Garlisch. His ’07 LBZ would go nearly 282 feet before the sled caught up to it.
All told, 22 trucks would try their luck in the Stock Turbo Class. And by “stock” turbo, we mean stock as a rock. While trucks were being tech’d in and weighed, turbochargers were checked for billet and other aftermarket compressor wheel upgrades—which weren’t permitted in this class.
All told, 22 trucks would try their luck in the Stock Turbo Class. And by “stock” turbo, we mean stock as a rock. While trucks were being tech’d in and weighed, turbochargers were checked for billet and other aftermarket compressor wheel upgrades—which weren’t permitted in this class.
As stated, stock turbo rules definitely benefitted the 6.4L Power Strokes that were there to compete (thanks to the factory compound turbocharger arrangement). Here, Dennis Burk and his tune-only ’08 F-350 storm to a distance of 268 feet and change: good enough for Third Place.
As stated, stock turbo rules definitely benefitted the 6.4L Power Strokes that were there to compete (thanks to the factory compound turbocharger arrangement). Here, Dennis Burk and his tune-only ’08 F-350 storm to a distance of 268 feet and change: good enough for Third Place.
With River City Diesel (primarily a Power Stroke shop) hosting the truck pull, there was no shortage in Blue Ovals turning out to compete. Blake Beauford piloted one of the newer trucks in attendance, his ’12 F-250, to the 9th spot in Work Stock.
With River City Diesel (primarily a Power Stroke shop) hosting the truck pull, there was no shortage in Blue Ovals turning out to compete. Blake Beauford piloted one of the newer trucks in attendance, his ’12 F-250, to the 9th spot in Work Stock.
Digging his way to a Second Place spot in Work Stock was Kevin Westart’s ’09 Chevy. The stock-bottom end LMM under the hood sports a 68mm Cheetah turbo, 10mm stroker CP3, and 60-percent over injectors dyno’d out at 700-rwhp. Unfortunately, a broken rear ring and pinion ended his pursuit of First Place finisher Josh Davis and his 6.4L powered dually.
Digging his way to a Second Place spot in Work Stock was Kevin Westart’s ’09 Chevy. The stock-bottom end LMM under the hood sports a 68mm Cheetah turbo, 10mm stroker CP3, and 60-percent over injectors dyno’d out at 700-rwhp. Unfortunately, a broken rear ring and pinion ended his pursuit of First Place finisher Josh Davis and his 6.4L powered dually.
This ’08 F-350 is owned by Sean Christy, and it’s always a top finisher in central Illinois area work stock classes. It’s also common to see Sean signed up to run in every class that will allow him to hook! This night would see the 6.4L powered Ford finish Third in Work Stock, Fourth in Hot Street, and Third in the Open Class.
This ’08 F-350 is owned by Sean Christy, and it’s always a top finisher in central Illinois area work stock classes. It’s also common to see Sean signed up to run in every class that will allow him to hook! This night would see the 6.4L powered Ford finish Third in Work Stock, Fourth in Hot Street, and Third in the Open Class.
Jeff Krause’s LBZ Duramax was able to dig its way into the Second Place spot in Hot Street. This nasty, compound turbo’d ’06 Chevy makes in the neighborhood of 1,000 hp and had several wins in 2015.
Jeff Krause’s LBZ Duramax was able to dig its way into the Second Place spot in Hot Street. This nasty, compound turbo’d ’06 Chevy makes in the neighborhood of 1,000 hp and had several wins in 2015.
With some serious mph built up by mid-track, Brian Randall led the field in the Hot Street class with a 344-foot pull. His ’06 Dodge sports three turbos, two 12mm CP3’s, 250 percent over injectors, and is driven on the street. It’s a textbook example of what the Hot Street class is all about: a class that provides high horsepower, street-legal, unlimited turbo trucks a category to compete in.
With some serious mph built up by mid-track, Brian Randall led the field in the Hot Street class with a 344-foot pull. His ’06 Dodge sports three turbos, two 12mm CP3’s, 250 percent over injectors, and is driven on the street. It’s a textbook example of what the Hot Street class is all about: a class that provides high horsepower, street-legal, unlimited turbo trucks a category to compete in.
A Haisley Machine sticker plastered on the rear window of a second-gen Cummins is usually a telltale sign that the truck’s a runner. Unfortunately for Sam Kupferschmid and his 2.6 Class ’99 Dodge, with tornadoes reportedly approaching the area, the event ended abruptly after his hook. However, he would get the unofficial win in the Open/2.6 Class.
A Haisley Machine sticker plastered on the rear window of a second-gen Cummins is usually a telltale sign that the truck’s a runner. Unfortunately for Sam Kupferschmid and his 2.6 Class ’99 Dodge, with tornadoes reportedly approaching the area, the event ended abruptly after his hook. However, he would get the unofficial win in the Open/2.6 Class.

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