Drag Illustrated Issue 187, March / April 2024 | Page 20

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Sick Week 2024

Brett LaSala makes drag-and-drive history with overall win on radials By Luke Nieuwhof

Sick Week 2024 presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive was arguably the best edition yet of the world ’ s premier dragand-drive event , with world records , returning legends , and perfect racing conditions throughout the week .

Orlando Speed World once again served as the host track , with 331 racers on site teched in for day one of competition . With density altitude an incredible 600 feet below sea level , the first day had horsepower on tap .
Much of the attention pre-event was on Jeff Lutz , one of the OG drag-and-drivers . Lutz made his name with a series of Hot Rod Drag Week wins , but had not competed at a drag-and-drive event since 2016 due to his busy schedule filming Street Outlaws . Lutz took the covers off his “ Mad Max ” Camaro and promptly set the quickest time in Sick Week history with a 6.155 at 247 MPH .
The drag-and-drive radial tire world record came crashing down not once but twice on opening day . Josh Davis , driving Devin Vanderhoof ’ s big-block-Chevy-powered Ford Mustang , struck first with a 6.415 to surpass Brett LaSala ’ s 6.524 run , made in 2023 . But LaSala ’ s stock-block , Coyote-motivated “ Snot Rocket 2.0 ” Mustang returned fire on the very next pair with a stunning 6.359 . Unfortunately for Davis and Vanderhoof , they found engine damage back in the pits and had to withdraw .
After racing in Orlando , the Sick Weekers needed to make a 228-mile drive to Bradenton Motorsports Park , cruising down the A1A through iconic Florida towns such as Cocoa Beach before cutting across the peninsula .
At BMP , conditions were just as perfect as the
PHOTOGRAPHS BY WAYNE STEWART
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