This week’s Truckin’ Fast Wednesday video takes a look at an early 3rd gen Dodge Ram 1500 short cab/long bed pickup powered by the 5.7L Hemi in action on the quarter mile against what appears to be a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle. In many circumstances, we wouldn’t expect too much from the Ram in this race but at roughly the 10 second mark, the blast of nitrous oxide that bursts from behind the cowl is a clear indication that this Ram is in it to win it.
Not only does the 3rd gen Ram 1500 in this video have some extra power but it can also make good use of it as the Ram quickly jumps out to a big lead right as the light turns green. From there on out, it is all Ram as this pickup – with a tool box mounted in the bed – rips through the quarter mile in just 12.49 seconds with a trap speed of 108.07 miles per hour. We don’t get to see what the Chevelle in the right lane runs but it is clear that it runs nowhere near the mid 12 second time turned in by the Hemi powered Ram.
The Ram 1500 in the video sounds great so be sure to crank up your speakers and enjoy this video of a Ram 1500 beating up a classic Chevy muscle car.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
