The National Hot Rod Diesel Association - The largest and longest-running diesel motorsport organization in the world.
AVERAGE JOE
REAL TRUCKS. REAL DRIVERS. REAL PAYOUTS.
Built for the diesel enthusiast who refuses to ruin a great street truck just to race. The Average Joe class proves you can build your dream daily driver and still compete heads-up for real money—no cages, no laggy builds, no sacrificing drivability. This is stoplight racing the way it should be.
- 2WD, no-prep, street tires—just like you actually drive it
- Non-boosted launches reward quick spool and smart tuning, not peak horsepower
- Platform-balanced rules so 90% of diesel trucks can realistically compete
- Single elimination, heads-up racing with strong payouts
$20,000 TO THE WINNER. STREET TRUCKS ONLY.
Diesels in the Desert 2026 introduces a new exhibition class built for the trucks you actually want to drive—with a payout that proves it.
Twenty thousand dollars. To the winner. In a class where slicks aren't allowed, cages aren't required, and your truck has to run street tires with a 400+ treadwear rating.
If you've ever felt stuck between building a competitive race truck and keeping a diesel you actually enjoy driving, you're not alone. For years, diesel enthusiasts have faced the same frustrating choice: cage it, gut it, and build a laggy, miserable setup that hooks on the track—or settle for low-stakes bracket racing that doesn't get the blood pumping.
The Blue Collar Average Joe class was created to solve that problem. And with $20K on the line, this isn't just an exhibition—it's a statement.
The Concept
This is 2WD, no-prep, street-tire racing that mirrors how most of us actually drive our trucks—launching from a stoplight, no boost built, tires that work in the rain. The format rewards quick-spooling setups, linear power delivery, solid tuning, and driver skill. Not whoever bolted on the biggest turbo and highest-flowing injectors.
The target horsepower range sits around 650–750hp to be competitive. That's attainable for a well-built street truck without turning it into a trailer queen.
Average Joe
BLUE COLLAR AVERAGE JOE RULES
See if your truck qualifies. Full breakdown of turbo limits, weight requirements, fuel system rules, and platform-specific allowances.
Race Format
- ⅛ Mile racing
- Heads-up, instant green start
- Non-boosted launches
- Single elimination, no buy-backs
- No time slips displayed
- First across the line wins—and takes home $20,000
Platform Balancing Done Right
One of the standout features of this class is how the rules account for the strengths and weaknesses of different platforms. Turbo sizing and nitrous allowances are adjusted by engine:
- 6.4L Power Stroke: Stock-size billet wheels only
- Common Rail (Duramax, 6.7 Powerstroke, 5.9 & 6.7 Cummins): 64mm drop-in
- 6.0L Power Stroke & 12V/P-Pump Cummins: 68mm drop-in OR 64mm with a single .052 nitrous jet
- 7.3L Power Stroke & VP44 Cummins: 68mm drop-in AND a single .052 nitrous jet
The goal isn't to handicap anyone into irrelevance—it's to create a level playing field where the best-driving truck wins, not just the platform with the most aftermarket support.
What's Not Allowed
- No water/meth injection
- No propane injection
- No trans brakes or bump boxes
- No standalone ECUs or aftermarket traction control
- No rear coilovers or aftermarket 4-links
- No slicks or drag radials (400+ treadwear required)
The rulebook is tight for a reason. This keeps the focus on trucks that are actually streetable—and makes that $20K prize genuinely impressive.
Think Your Truck Has What It Takes?
If you've built a diesel truck that drives well, spools quick, puts down power without shredding tires, and doesn't need a trailer to get to the track—this is your class. $20,000 says your street truck isn't as fast as you think it is. Prove us wrong.