Byron Dragway - Diesel Drags w/ Test & Tune and World Record!

Brett Deutsch

Saturday, at Byron Dragway was a day of firsts!  This was my first Byron Diesel Drags Presented by Superior Automotive. Back in the day, I had covered an earlier iteration of this event at Route 66 Raceway. This was also my first witnessing of a World Record.

Brett Deutsch, from Elburn, Il.,  brought his 1969 C10 Duramax to attempt to break the world record for a non-dragster Duramax vehicle. The time to beat was 7.44 in the quarter mile. On Brett's first attempt, at about the 300 foot mark, the truck broke traction and got a severe tire shake. Brett backed out of it and re-gained control.

On the second attempt, the truck launched well but something wasn't quite right and Brett had to get out of it, again.

On the third attempt, the truck launched really well witnessed by the title photo. It wasn't an easy run as the truck started to drift left. Brett was able to keep control and hit the stripe with a 7.289 at 175.41 mph to break the world record!

Here are more images of the world record breaking day. Congratulations Brett!

Brett's wasn't the only diesel vehicle at Byron Saturday. There was a large contingent diesels putting on a great show.

There were several awards for the diesel vehicles. One of which was for overall fastest. That was won by Adam Twarowski from Warren Mi.

There was also a small Gamblers Race. In the final, it was Robert Hill, Beloit, Wi., vs Gil Odjick, Byron, Il. Both broke out at the stripe, however Robert ran closer to his dial-in to take the win.

Besides the racing trucks, there were several display diesel trucks.  This is Austin Ingram's, Bristol Wi., 2016 Super Duty. It had a unique tranmission cover. Austin has two other trucks, an 05 and 08 and is looking for a 97.

And there was Preston Lewis's, Gilberts, Il., 2014  F250.

In addition to the on-track diesel trucks there was a Test & Tune happening.

During the Test & Tune, I saw the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air of Don Dumdie, driven by Brian Dumdie, approach the starting line. I though it was unusual that a normal bracket car would be testing this late in the season. I found Don and he explained that at the Indy Brackets, they broke the crankshaft in the motor. They were all ready to replace that motor in the off-season. To get a jump on next season, they installed the motor and came to test. They are trying to work out some of the bugs in the total car.

There was also a dragster licensing this Saturday. I saw Rob and Dana Highland with the car and assumed their daughter Mikayla was licensing as she is leaving the Junior ranks. Then I saw Jim Schubbe with the car.  Now,  I didn't know who was in the car because Jim's daughter Kamryn is also graduating to the "big" car from juniors. I caught up with the families and learned that Kamryn was in the car. Her dad, Jim, stated they have a dragster for her to drive in Super Pro bracket racing next  season.

All told this was a great race day, with all kinds of action and surprises. Several diesel trucks had catastrophic failures, a world record and a great show put on by the diesels.

This is my last on-track event for 2021. While it was a trying season, at the end I was sad to call it over. Almost every year, by the time you get to October, you are looking for some down time. You've been at a race track almost every weekend from April through October. You are tired mentally, physically and your equipment is tired. However, this season I was forced to the sidelines until July. During the dog days of summer, I was just trying to get back on my game. Saturday was the best I have felt all season. I am looking forward to 2023. I want to thank everyone for their support this year and hope to see many at PRI in December. If not, we will see you next season.

To see all of Saturday's photos please click here.

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