The Latest, SPE Motorsport Performance Industry News - Event Season Wrap-up; Hybrid Mustang; And More

The S650E: Ford's Hybrid Mustang 

For nearly a decade, Ford has talked about an electrified Mustang in the works. No not the Mach-E SUV, but an actual Mustang. According to FordAuthority.com, it sounds like that day is coming, and soon. Ford Authority has apparently learned that pre-production models of the hybrid Mustang (known internally at Ford, as the S650E) are currently in testing. The article mentions many factors that point in both directions, essentially saying this may not happen, but ends with some words from CEO Jim Farley that really make it sound possible. Farley mentioned in August of last year that Ford Racing was testing hybrid possibilities and was quoted saying “we really do believe partial electric powertrains work well for performance drivers.” Will it be a V8 hybrid like previously teased almost a decade ago? Given the direction of the industry over the last several years, it seems doubtful that we'll see a high horsepower V8 hybrid. However, remember that Dodge just recently brought back the Hemi and has released several non-CARB compliant high-horsepower models. The direction may be changing.   

Source: https://fordauthority.com/2025/09/s650-ford-mustang-hybrid-currently-in-development-exclusive/

Weekend On The Edge

It’s event-cramming season. As 2025 winds down, every weekend is booked, be it for drag racing, truck pulling, dyno competitions, or truck shows. Out in Ogden, Utah this past Saturday, Edge Products hosted the annual Weekend on the Edge affair. It was a packed house at Golden Spike Event Center, where the Northwest Dyno Series SuperFlow was up and running all day for the dyno competition, a sprawling truck show welcomed dozens of entries and hundreds of spectators, and the evening sled pull treated the crowd to 10 classes of dirt slinging action. Bridger Williams’ third-gen can be seen here, making an impressive 1,878hp hit on the rollers.

Source: https://www.edgeproducts.com/

Truck Pulling From The 4-Wheel Jamboree

The 4-Wheel Jamboree has long-been one of the largest and most coveted off-road events in America. On Saturday, Indiana Pulling League officials were greeted with a packed grandstand at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex in Danville, Indiana for some of the best 2.6 and 3.0 diesel truck pulling action in the Midwest. It would be a great night for the crew from Quality Diesel Performance. In the 2.6 (Pro Street) category, the familiar Jon Shew, driving the “Iron Patriot” Dodge, inched past JD Clowes’ “Road To Redemption” for the win. In 3.0, Quality’s Brian Shew stole the show in “Iron Maiden,” lugging the sled nine feet further than anyone else.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064430276821

The Fall Showdown

Over in Mansfield, Ohio, the first annual Fall Showdown treated spectators to chassis dyno, dirt drags, and truck pulling action—along with a lively burnout pit, a show ‘n shine, and even a Saturday night after party. Cory Frank did the Duramax crowd proud with a 326-foot win in the 3.0 class, Garret Niss’s gold-plated third-gen made an appearance in the show ‘n shine, and Zeigler Diesel Performance’s 4-second ’06 Dodge was also on hand—and wearing all season tires, no less… Presented by Xclusive Diesel Performance, look for this event to become an annual occurrence in central Ohio.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/xclusivediesel

Blessed Performance Acquires NHRDA

After 20 years, the National Hot Rod Diesel Association has changed hands. Purchased by Blessed Performance, the storied racing organization’s new CEO and President is Matt Story, owner of Blessed Performance. Story has elevated the Blessed name throughout the diesel industry in recent years thanks to the company’s mobile chassis dyno services, in being a presenting sponsor of Ultimate Callout Challenge, and in turning out top-notch work from its Gillette, Wyoming brick and mortar location. NHRDA’s new Operations Manager will be Chris Searle, the man who helped shape the U.C.C. event into what it is today—the largest event in diesel motorsports. Look for big things from NHRDA in 2026.

Source: https://nhrda.com/

Testing Complete—Nathan Wheeler Is Ready For Cleeter’s AWD vs. RWD Shootout

Prepping for the biggest no-prep race on the calendar is in the books for Nathan Wheeler, owner of the Cummins-powered Crazyhorse Ford—and the last two weeks have been very eventful for him. First, a serious engine issue surfaced while visiting Kentucky, something the folks at Truck Source Diesel spearheaded immediately and had remedied just a week later. Then came a trip to Nathan’s hometown racing surface at Little River Dragway where, lined up against some of the heaviest hitters in the no-prep game, he put in five rounds of solid work and walked away the big winner. Now, the Crazyhorse Ford is loaded in the box and rumored ready for Cleeter’s AWD vs. RWD Shootout on October 1st.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8jfYp5Q62s