The Latest, SPE Motorsport Performance Industry News - PRI Recap; New EPA Fines, and more

PRI Recap

The 2025 Performance Racing Industry Show didn’t disappoint. New products, fresh race car (and race truck) builds, and the biggest names in horsepower made the call to Indianapolis. Front and center, David Petrick’s Firepunk-built Pro Mod third-gen made its first public appearance—and it’s every bit as beautiful as the teaser pics suggested. Expect David’s ultra-low 4x4, powered by a Wagler Competition Products billet-aluminum Cummins, to be the best candidate for resetting the 4x4 diesel record going forward. Other attention-grabbing diesels on display included Nathan Wheeler’s no-prep, “Crazyhorse” Ford, Rod MacMaster’s impeccably clean, radial tire (and Cummins-powered) Corvette, and Truck Source Diesel’s IFS-equipped alumiduty, to name just a few.

Source: https://www.performanceracing.com/

Huge EPA Fine Handed Down To Diamond Eye Performance

News of Diamond Eye Performance’s clean air act violations is making the rounds again, thanks to Yahoo News. The fine, which Diamond Eye agreed to pay back in July of 2023 in the amount of $265,000, was accompanied by the Oregon-based company having to destroy its complete inventory of what the EPA deemed “illegal parts.” EPA reported that Diamond Eye sold some 33,134 illegal exhaust components between 2017 and 2019 that facilitated the removal of emissions control equipment. The company’s marketing and information technology manager was quoted by the Oregon Capital Chronicle as saying: “All we do is bend tubes into crazy shapes for trucks. Whether or not you reincorporate or weld the pollution equipment back together is up to the installer.”

Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/company-hit-six-figure-fine-090000719.html

NHRA's Street Outlaws Exhibition Class

At PRI last week, the NHRA confirmed plans for a new exhibition class in 2026 featuring drivers from the Street Outlaws series. The program will run during several NHRA events with structured qualifying and elimination rounds. Drivers such as Ryan Martin, Shawn Ellington (aka "Murder Nova"), and Scott Taylor are expected to participate throughout the season. While not a points-earning class, the exhibition format offers fans a different style of racing within the NHRA event weekend.

Source: https://www.dragzine.com/news/nhra-partners-with-street-outlaws-stars-for-2026-exhibition-series/

2026 NFMS Super Stock Diesel Truck Invitees

The Super Stock diesel truck lineup is set for the 2026 National Farm Machinery Show’s Championship Tractor Pull, and 10 heavy hitters will be making the call to the invite-only affair in Louisville, Kentucky. Among them, Caroline Armistead will return in the “Dixie Ram” to defend her 2025 championship, as will previous NFMS winners Keith Witt, Van Haisley (3-time), Scheid Diesel’s Kent Crowder (2-time), and Scheid’s second-gen Dodge—piloted this go ‘round by Trenton Ingram. As has been the case since 2011, the Super Stock diesel trucks will go on the hook at high noon on the final day of the National Farm Machinery Show (February 14th).

Source: https://champpull.org/

Lia Block Drives Her Dad's Hoonitruck

For anyone who’s followed Ken Block, this one hits home. Lia Block finally got seat time in her dad’s F-150 Hoonitruck, and it’s everything you’d hope for. The drive took place at Willow Springs, where Lia throws the big AWD monster around with the same commitment that made Ken Block a legend, proving the torch is in good hands. It’s a reminder that these builds aren’t museum pieces — they’re meant to be driven hard.

Source: https://youtu.be/paQSmgFFHZQ?si=XbuFHr693gf7wL71

Bold Moves At Randy’s Transmissions

Randy’s Transmissions is expanding once again, and this time the company is making big league moves. First and foremost, Fluidyne High Performance owner, Frank Kuperman Jr., has become part-owner. In West Valley City, Utah, a new, 40,000 square-foot facility has been acquired to support the growth of both Randy’s and Fluidyne. In Charlotte, North Carolina, an additional, 20,000 square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility has been secured, bringing an east coast location into the mix. Expect quicker turnaround times, increased production capacity, higher product availability, and expanded fulfillment capabilities in the new year—along with a host of new product offerings for the 68RFE, AS69RC, and new ZF 8-speed platforms.

Source: https://randys-transmissions.com/