The Fifth Annual G&J Big Sky TruckFest was big success. Although the top competitors were struggling with new set ups on their vehicles the event was big success. With almost 2,500 spectators and 50 vehicles competing it was a great day of diesel drag racing at Yellowstone Drag Strip.
Coming off a win at Indy, the Dirty Max crew was struggling with their new Lenco transmission and could not get high gear and had to run down the track in second gear. The truck still ran low 10s which proved to be enough for a win in Pro Stock.
Steve Darnell's Rat Rod was fighting the high elevation and heat and had problems spooling up the turbo at the line.
Chad Riley's beautiful 1967 tube chassis Camaro was working out the bugs on the car. Chad built the Camaro in three months from start to finish. Though his wastegate was stuck open at 15 lbs and the nitrous system was not working, he still manage to run 13.40 and ran over 124 mph. The car didn't even light the turbo until half track. Chad assured NHRDA's Randy Cole that after he gets the bugs worked out it should run in the 8s.
Rob Coddens with Maxed Out Racing had to settle running his daily driver because of motor issues on the race truck. That didn't stop Rob from winning Pro Street by cutting great reaction times and running low 12s for the win.
Pro Street MPH national record holder at 150.23 Malcolm Cross had a brand new motor and turbo package and broke the output shaft on the launch.
Matt Larson drove his 2002 Duramax all the way from Utah and won the Super Street category. Larson ran low 11s and fought off his good friend Trent Nell who just won the Fallon Nevada event back on May 30th.
Two-time defending Bracket champion Jim Calhoun was on hand and took the win in the Sportsman E.T. category. Jim retired from Boeing and has decided to make racing his passion. Coming off wins in Phoenix , Edmonton and now Billings, Jim is leading points in Divisions 1, 2 and 6. His goal is to win all of the western divisions and the regional championship.
Pat Khile in his bright orange semi truck showed up after competing last week at Indy. He fared okay at both events running the Sportsman E.T. category but in the burnout contest he has no competition and won both events with ease.
It was a Beautiful day at the track with a ton of spectators. The track manager said that it was a bigger spectator turnout than their NHRA divisional race and by the end of the day they had sold out the concession stands of all food and beverages.
Brad from FASS Fuesl Systems was on hand and was amazed at all the spectators and trucks that were lined down the quarter mile eight trucks deep.
RESULTS
Pro Stock
1. Bill Hahn 10.56 ET at 128.06 mph
2. Steve Darnell 12.40 ET at 113.93 mph
3. Chad Riley 13.40 ET at 124.80 mph
Pro Street
1. Rob Coddens 12.07 ET at 110.51 mph
2. Malcolm Cross
3. Mark Ventling 12.20 ET at 114.24 mph
Super Street
1. Matt Larson 11.37 ET at 121.58 mph
2. Trenton Neil 11.77 ET at 113.76
3. Rob Coddens 12.18 ET at 109.99 mph
Sportsman ET
1. Jim Calhoun 13.45 ET at 93.49 mph
2. Chantal Hale 14.82 ET at 90.21 mph
3. Julie Balch 13.88 ET at 13.85 mph