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From No-Prep Wreck to Drag-and-Drive Prep, the Thrash Is On To Get This Malibu Ready for Sick Week 2025!

It’s not uncommon to see racers cross over into a drag-and-drive event from other forms of racing, including grudge racing, heads-up class and even bracket and index racing. Even some no-prep racers have made the jump to drag-and-drive.

But Allen Thompson will go a step further as he looks to rebuild his no-prep car to get it ready for next year’s Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive.

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Derek Putnam Derek Putnam Derek Putnam Derek Putnam

Josh Reich Partners Up on New Drag-and-Drive Truck Build – Sights Set on Sevens and a 2025 Debut

After putting together a Chevrolet Colorado a couple years back, Josh Reich made himself a little more well known in 2024. The single turbo pick-up scored a win and a top five finish from a pair of drag-and-drive events, and although some might have expected Reich to continue to refine the Colorado for 2025, he’s changing direction with a new build and new goals.

“My good friend Rodney Geist was building it for himself to show off his fabrication skills, and promote his business. Rod isn't a drag racer, or one to do a drag-and-drive, so we decided to partner up.”

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Derek Putnam Derek Putnam Derek Putnam Derek Putnam

After Grenading an Engine on Miles of Mayhem, Colin Gee Sells His Car and Starts His Third Drag-and-Drive Build in Three Years

After making a solid impression (and several big wheelies) in an 1983 Chevrolet Malibu station wagon during 2022 and 2023, including the 2023 edition of Sick Week, Colin Gee started thinking about a new car build for drag-and-drive duty.

Little did he know that just over a year after he started that build, it would have a blown-up engine, then Colin sold the car, and started on another build just this month!

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Derek Putnam Derek Putnam Derek Putnam Derek Putnam

A Different Kind of Spyder - Vinnie Barbone's 80 Monza Spyder Hits the Chassis Dyno in Prep for Hot Rod Drag Week 

Despite making his mark initially the drag-and-drive community with an eye-catching 1995 Geo Tracker he refers to as ‘Project Samsquanch’, Vinnie Barbone couldn’t resist the calling of a model that truly inspired him, a Chevrolet Monza. “Basically, I was born into having an H-Body gene encrypted into my body.”

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Role Reversal – Tom Stark Raised His Kids Around Racing, and Now He Steps into the Crew Chief / Co-Pilot Role with Blayne and MaCayla Stark

The Stark family first joined the drag-and-drive community at the 2019 edition of Rocky Mountain Race Week, with father Tom Stark wielding the shifter handle in his ‘55 Chevy wagon stick shift entry. But just three later, son Blayne and daughter MaCayla moved into the driver’s seat.

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Can the Rowdy Radial Class Survive Without Rules, or Is It Finally Time For Some Standards on the Tiny 235 Tire?

Both Rocky Mountain Race Week and Sick the Mag event rules for the Rowdy Radial class are simple: 235 sized tire (26-inches tall and 8.5-inches in width), and an eighth-mile distance format. No suspension requirements, no weight minimum, run what ya brung and hope you brought enough. But with increased performances and shrinking fields at some events, is it time for an updated ruleset?

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Derek Putnam Derek Putnam Derek Putnam Derek Putnam

A High School Pick Up Goes Under the Knife with Goals of Rowdy Radial and Heads-Up 235 Tire Competition

“Sick Week 2024 was my first time competing (in a drag-and-drive) and it was truly a dream come true. Probably back to middle school, I used to drive my teachers insane for a week out of every September where I would do nothing but watch the Hot Rod Drag Week live feed. I’ve followed this stuff forever, and always wanted to build something to compete.”

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Derek Putnam Derek Putnam

The Rowdy Radial Record Effect – How Matt Moore Stepped Up at Sick Week 2024 to Challenge Devin Vanderhoof and Jordan Tuck’s Record on 235 Tires

Entering its eighth year on a multitude of platforms, the 235 tire continues to gain interest and new competitors. The 26-inch-tall x 8.5-inch width tire may have originally gotten a home with mostly 5-second rides on the eighth-mile standard, but it’s pushed several rides into the 4-second zone in 2023 and 2024.

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