Scheid Diesel Extravaganza draws large crowds

By Lucy Perry

The 2015 Scheid Diesel Extravaganza underway  at  The Wabash Valley Fairgrounds  and Crossroads Dragway this weekend and is expected to draw a large crowd of around 15,000 people.

"This event is becoming one of the biggest in the Midwest," John Porterfield, of North Carolina, said, adding, "People come from as far west as California and as far east as New York to attend each year."

The stands were full as diesel pick-up trucks took turns pulling a large sled down the dirt track. Porterfield, who has been involved in diesel events for more than 2o years explained that the trucks emit three different colors of smoke during their time on the dragway. He also noted each truck's turbo charge power as the trucks with names such as "Crazy Ex" and "Nut Job"moved along the the track, often hidden deep in clouds of black smoke.

Various vendors have set up shop along Vendor Row inside the 4-H buildings, featuring diesel merchandise and accessories. There are also food, drink and souvenir vendors and activities stationed throughout the fairgrounds.

According to the Scheid Diesel website, the local event is the organizers' 19th event, which began in 1997 as a TDR Rally in Effingham, Illinois. 

Due to growth in public interest, the TDR Rally evolved into the Scheid Diesel Extravaganza (SDX) and relocated to Terre Haute in 2000.   The additional space of the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds allowed Scheid Diesel to open the event to all makes of diesel pickups. 

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Information from the website for this weekend's events:

Friday and Saturday Include: Show-N-Shine Contest (presented by Purdue Diesel Club), Manufacture Midway, Dyno Contest (sponsored by Edge Products), the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League  2.6 Truck Pull qualifications start at 11 a.m., Outlaw Diesel Super Series Drag Racing (new for 2015), Saturday Kiddie Pedal Pull (presented by Pullers For Christ), with the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Truck & Tractor Pull Each Evening!

Sunday Includes: Church Service by Pullers For Christ, Scheid Diesel Parts & Apparel Departments, Burnout Contest and non-stop Outlaw Diesel Super Series drag racing excitement!!