2009 Ts Performance Outlaw Drag Race And Sled Pull Mad Dog

2009 TS Performance Outlaw Drag Race and Sled Pull - Smoke, Drags, Dirt, And Southern Hospitality

With a disappointing morning on everyone's mind, it was impressive to see the thousands of people and hundreds of trucks that poured into the fairgrounds and filled every possible inch of parking space. So much so, that the show officials had to set up parking areas outside the fairgrounds at some of the local shopping centers. After talking to several spectators, it was gratifying to learn that although many were upset that a few individuals ruined the drag racing venue, they still wanted to support the event. In doing so, many simply hung out at the fairgrounds, broke out the portable barbeques, and made the best of what turned out to be a sunny and beautiful day. Most of the manufacturers attending the event managed to quickly set up their displays and also made the best of the time they had before the evening events could take place.

By 4 p.m. people began staking out a seat toward the back area of the fairgrounds to get a view of the sled pulls. Most of us witnessed the effort it takes to correctly set up the track, as plows, tractors, and graders massaged the soil to turn a grassy field into an official sled pull course before our eyes. By the time the first trucks pulled up to the line, the anticipation to see some trucks motor down any track at full-throttle was overwhelming. People cheered as smoke spewed up exhaust stacks, tires spun, and a huge trailer was pulled with ease down the entire length of the course.

Sled pull classes are set up by the size of the turbocharger inducer, which can measure 2.6 inches for stock turbochargers, 2.8 for modified turbos, 3.0 for modified engines and vehicle suspensions, and a Modified class that allows for more extreme modifications to the vehicle's turbochargers, engine, and suspension.

Jason Beasley from Houston, Missouri, took First Place in the 2.6 class, using his '06 Dodge to pull a total of 338.01 feet. Matthew Williams used his '96 Dodge, Ragged Out, from Shelbyville, Kentucky, to pull a win in the 2.8 class with a distance of 300.29 feet. With more power came more excitement, and by the time the 3.0 class came out to compete, the spectators just couldn't get enough. The 3.0 class also had many more competitors than the other classes and forced the competition to run late into the evening. When the final distances were measured, Rod Tar of Edinburg, Illinois, went the furthest (357.03 feet)with his Dodge, Super Ram. In the Modified class, Shane Kellog pulled 302.39 feet with his silver '97 Dodge, Gotta Have It.

Despite the rain and no drag racing, the TS Performance Outlaw Drag Race and Sled Pull was still an exciting event to attend. The combination of diesel smoke, flinging mud, barbeque, a cool drink, and southern hospitality was so much fun that the anticipation for next year's event already has truck enthusiasts and competitors talking about bringing more power, more boost, and definitely more excitement.