Grudge Racing With the Fastest Cars in the Dirty South

Published by majac on November 1, 2019

This is the series driving hard into the world of grudge racing—a form of closed-track drag racing emerging as a new standard in this “big engine” sport—and there’s no other grudge racer out there quite like Eric Malone. Join him and his team as they customize, restore, and create the Fastest Cars in the Dirty South. Season 1 is streaming on the MotorTrend App—subscriptions start at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year after a 14-day free trial offer.

We Visit Alabama to Get Under the Hood of the Year’s Coolest Reality Show

Reality shows are layered with fabricated drama and made-up deadlines. Not here. Set in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the MotorTrend App’s Fastest Cars in the Dirty South follows Eric Malone, Brant Arnold, and Team 256 as they grudge race across the Southeast. It’s a reality show that replaces thrown glasses of champagne with bottles of nitrous—lots of nitrous. The only fabrication in the show comes from hammers and 2x4s.

The locals call Muscle Shoals the capital of the South. This is where Team 256 builds rust-buckets a car crafter can afford, from Datsuns and Darts to G- and F-bodies—boost-fed big-blocks assembled with bare hands. They leave the six-figure cars for the big cities, along with auto-tune, skyscrapers, and restaurants that serve kale.

Muscle Shoals’ history is an adumbration of the South’s own story. An archetype of the South’s struggle to find itself through the 1900s. They’re a part of a victorious country, yet they know defeat and disappointment.

During World War I, President Wilson issued the construction of a $48 million dam as a war effort, however, it wasn’t completed on time. In 1922, Henry Ford attempted to buy it and the country flocked to Muscle Shoals with the promise of thousands of jobs. He, along with Thomas Edison, envisioned a worker’s utopia that would lengthen Muscle Shoals into a 75-mile riverfront town, opposing the traditional city layout. The government refused, and the city was left without an industry.

In the 1960s, two recording studios appeared, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and FAME Studios, creating the “Muscle Shoals Sound.” It was a blend of soul, Southern rock, blues, and country. Muscle Shoals became an important player as the nation evolved through segregation and Civil Rights, and the music coming out of Muscle Shoals—artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin, Cher, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Rolling Stones, and Rival Sons—produced albums in the hope of capturing something magical.

Now, it’s a dynamic town, inherently Southern, with vinegar-based barbecue and friendly waves through truck windshields. While the town missed its opportunity at industrial greatness, it found its pure soul and rich culture in music—and now cars. Really fast cars.

Team 256 consists of a diverse group of locals. They find rotting cars scattered in fields and barns and bring them back to life on eighth-mile tracks. Like any family, they have fights, rivalries, and a deep love for one another. The show follows the team as they make each race, helping each other along the way. There’s little track prep or time wasted.

After consistently beating up the local competition, group gearhead Eric Malone had an entertaining idea to challenge other teams. They’d take the competitor’s slowest car and race them with it. “It shows everyone who the best builders are in the dirty South,” Eric says. The first episode opens on a rough and rusted Vega from a group in Tennessee. Eric and the team rebuild the car through the first season and race that team with their own car. Whoever wins, gets the car and cash.

It’s taking Southern ingenuity, hard work, experience, and late nights to win with someone else’s junk. We ventured to Muscle Shoals to see it all firsthand, uncovering the secrets they don’t even share at the racetrack. Welcome to Alabama, and the Fastest Cars in the Dirty South (FCIDS). Come back to HOTROD.com to see features on the cars in this article throughout the next couple weeks!

Malcolm Storey / 1984 Pontiac Grand Prix

Typically, Malcolm Storey’s Pontiac leaves the line with 20 percent nitrous and reaches 100 percent 1.5 seconds into the run. He’ll bump that up to 25 percent and 1 second if the track is good. Next year, they’re moving to a PTC Powerglide with a 1:80 First gear.

Tech Notes
Who: Malcolm Storey, 49
What: 1984 Pontiac Grand Prix Brougham
Where: Tuscaloosa, AL
Occupation: Equipment operator
FCIDS Episodes: Pilot, 1, 3
Engine: 440ci small-block Chevy built by Malcolm
Rotating Assembly: Lunati crankshaft and rods with JE Pistons
Block: Dart Little M
Compression: 13.5:1
Cam: Custom-grind from Crower; don’t ask specs
Top End: Brodix 11X
Power Adder: Pro Nitrous Cold Fusion Fogger with 500 shot; NOS Launcher
Power: 625 hp; 987 hp on nitrous
Suspension: Stock-style four-link, Viking double-adjustable shocks, BMR antiroll bar, Edelbrock adjustable rear control arms, and QA1 adjustable front shocks
Rear Axle: Narrowed GM 12-bolt with 4:10 gears and Moser spool
Drivetrain: PTC Powerglide with 1.80 planetary gear
Weight: 3,501 pounds, with driver
Front Wheels: 15×4 Weld Rodlite Wheels
Rear Wheels: 15×11 Weld Rodlite Wheels
Front Tires: 26-15 Mickey Thompson ET Front
Rear Tires: 275/60R15 Mickey Thompson Pro Bracket Radial
Best Time: 5.18 at 143 mph
Special Thanks: Crower Camshafts

Deda Minor / 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger

The 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger was picked up as someone else’s unfinished project. Kenny Ford is a Mopar man and bought it with no real plan. The car sat dormant for two years before Eric convinced him to build it, with Deda Minor behind the wheel.

Tech Notes
Who: Deda Ford Minor, 39
What: 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger “Dirty Dart”
Where: Muscle Shoals, AL
Occupation: PTC/registered nurse
FCIDS Episodes: 4
Engine: 572ci Dale Meers Racing Engines
Rotating Assembly: Ohio crank, R&R rods, and Diamond Pistons
Block: Chrysler 440
Compression: 13:1
Cam: Bullet solid-roller camshaft and T&D rockers
Top End: Indy Cylinder Heads, race port 440-1
Power Adder: Nitrous Express Fogger 300-shot; NOS Launcher
Power: 800 hp; 1,100 hp on nitrous
Suspension: Mustang-II front, ladder-bar with Viking Performance double-adjustable shocks
Rear Axle: Dana 60 spool with 40-spline axles
Drivetrain: PTC Powerglide with 1.58 planetary gears and TCI Pro Tree trans brake
Weight: 3,000 pounds, with driver
Front Wheels: 15×3.5 Billet Specialties
Rear Wheels: 15×11 Billet Specialties
Front Tires: 26/4.5-15 Mickey Thompson ET Front
Rear Tires: 275/60R15 Mickey Thompson Pro Bracket Radial
Best Time: 5.09 at 137 mph
Special Thanks: Viking Performance, PTC, King Bearings, Total Seal Rings, Nitrous Express, Cometic Gaskets, NGK

Brant Arnold / “Braveheart” 2000 Camaro

Brant Arnold’s Camaro is one of the lightest and quickest of Team 256 of FCIDS. It’s the only Pro Mod–style car, too. The Camaro has a 120-inch wheelbase, which helps keep it in a straight line. They’re hoping for 0.90 60-foot times next year, and Brant’s is the only car of the bunch with wheelie bars.

Tech Notes
Who: Brant Arnold, 41
What: “Braveheart” 2000 Chevy Camaro
Where: Michie, TN
Occupation: Construction worker/owner of Corinth Civil War Relics
FCIDS Episodes: 7
Engine: 540ci alcohol-injected big-block Chevy; Phillips Engines
Rotating Assembly: Callies crank and rods with Ross pistons
Block: World Products Merlin cast-iron
Compression: 10:1
Cam: Comp Cams custom grind
Top End: ProMaxx heads
Power Adder: R980 Whipple
Power: 1,200 hp to the tire, estimated
Suspension: Custom four-link rear suspension, Strange front struts/spindle with double-adjustable shocks and QA1 rear coilovers
Rear Axle: Chassisworks FAB9 with 4:86 gears (moving to 4:11 next year)
Drivetrain: PTC Powerglide with Reid Racing case and 1:80 straight-cut gears; TCI Outlaw shifter
Weight: 2,300 pounds, with driver
Front Wheels: 15×4 Weld Pro Star
Rear Wheels: 14×32 Weld Pro Star
Front Tires: 4.5×15 Mickey Thompson ET Front
Rear Tires: 32×15 Mickey Thompson ET Drag Slick
Best Time: 4.60s at 160 mph
Special Thanks: PTC, NGK, Bob’s Pro Fab

Dayne Hearn / 1970 Chevy Camaro

Dayne Hearn grew up idolizing Tennessee sheriff, Buford Pusser. Walking Tall was a Hollywood movie about Buford’s strict methods of fighting crime and was filmed in Dayne’s hometown, featuring many of his family. His Camaro and its unfortunate wreck are highlighted in episode 8. He has big plans to cut weight and e.t. next year.

Tech Notes
Who: Dayne Hearn, 45
What: “Burford Pusser” 1970 Chevy Camaro
Location: Florence, AL
Occupation: Owner of HVAC company
FCIDS Episodes: Pilot, 8
Engine: 638 big-block Chevy; Butler Performance
Rotating Assembly: Ohio Crank, Manley Performance rods, and Diamond Pistons
Block: World Products Merlin iron
Compression: 15:1 compression
Cam: Crane custom grind
Top End: Big Duke heads, 18-degree
Power Adder: 500- to 600-shot Nitrous Express Fogger; NOS Launcher
Power: 1,400 hp, estimated
Suspension: Custom ladder bar rear suspension with adjustable Afco Big Dog BDXs; Viking double-adjustable front coilovers with TRZ tubular control arms
Rear Axle: FAB9 with 3:90 gears, 40-spline axles, and a Strange Engineering centersection
Drivetrain: PTC Powerglide with a 1:69 planetary gear
Weight: 2,850 pounds, with driver
Front Wheels: 15×4 Weld Wheels Magnum
Rear Wheels: 15×10 Billet Specialties
Front Tires: Mickey Thompson front runners
Rear Tires: 275 ET Street Drag Radials
Best Time: 4.72 e.t. at 153 mph
Special Thanks: Viking Performance, PTC, King Bearings, Total Seal Rings, Nitrous Express, Afco Racing, Butler Performance

Eric Malone / 1979 Chevy Malibu

Eric Malone has made “Black Mamba” his own. The previous owner, Malcolm Storey, says, “They’re a great group [Team 256], and we all offer something different to the race game. I like to be wild and try new stuff, but Eric is the leader type and gets it all together.” Jamie Wayne of Rod Shop (Loretto, TN) painted the Malibu before the showdown race in episode 1.

Tech Notes
Who: Eric Malone, 46
What: “Black Mamba” 1979 Chevy Malibu
Location: Muscle Shoals, AL
Occupation: Technical supervisor at PTC
FCIDS Episodes: Pilot, 1
Engine: 540ci big-block Chevy; Johnson’s Engines; Alan Branch, MS
Rotating Assembly: Eagle rods and crank, JE Pistons
Block: Dart Big M
Compression: 14:1
Cam: Bullet, custom solid-roller
Top End: Dart 360 by Butler Performance
Power Adder: Nitrous Express fogger 400 shot; NOS Launcher
Power: 1,200 hp on nitrous (estimated)
Suspension: Stock-style with replacement springs, Viking adjustable shocks, BMR antiroll bar
Rear Axle: Quick Performance Ford 9-inch for G-body; 4:10 gears
Drivetrain: PTC Powerglide
Weight: 3,400 pounds, with driver
Front Wheels: 15×4 Larry Hodge Racing
Rear Wheels: 15×8 Larry Hodge Racing – race star
Front Tires: 26-15 Mickey Thompson ET Front
Rear Tires: 275/60R15 Mickey Thompson Pro Bracket Radial
Best Time: Low 5s
Special Thanks: Nitrous Express, Weldon Racing Fuel Pumps, Johnson Farms (local cotton farmers)

Mikie Smith / 1972 Datsun 1200 Deluxe

Mikie Smith has the perfect Ying and Yang Datsuns: The red is a dedicated race car and the white “Ratsun” is the street car with a working radio, insurance, and tags. Mikie drives it to work often. Mikie keeps the front end down by reducing power on the low end: “Get it moving, and then put it all back in as quickly as possible,” Mikie says.

Tech Notes
Who: Mikie Smith, 39
What: 1972 Datsun 1200 Deluxe “Mighty Mouse”
Location: Tuscumbia, AL
Occupation: Maintenance tech at a paper manufacturer plant
FCIDS Episodes: 1, 6
Engine: 428ci Ford small-block Windsor
Rotating Assembly: Eagle 4340 crankshaft, GRP aluminum rods and Wiseco pistons
Block: Dart Iron Eagle 4.37-deck
Compression: 14.5:1
Cam: Comp Cams solid-roller for nitrous
Top End: Brodix 20-degree
Power Adder: Nitrous Express NX fogger 450 shot; NOS Launcher
Power: 1,200hp, estimated
Suspension: Four-link with Strange double-adjustable rear shocks; front Datsun factory struts with custom rack-and-pinion, and frontend limiters
Rear Axle: 9-inch factory Ford, narrowed and braced, 4:10 gear Strange centersection
Drivetrain: PTC Powerglide with 1:69 planetary; PTC 10-inch converter
Weight: 2,538 pounds, with driver
Front Wheels: 15×4 Weld Racing Alumastar spindle-mount
Rear Wheels: 15×12 Hole Shots with single bead lock
Front Tires: 4×15 M&H Front Runner
Rear Tires: 28-inch Mickey Thompson Pro Bracket Radial
Best Time: High 4-second
Special Thanks: Nitrous Express, PTC, Weldon Fuel Pumps

Jamie Wayne / 1969 Z/28 Camaro

Yes, it’s an X77-code Z/28 Camaro. “I’m that guy,” said Jamie Wayne, who said he stopped taking the Camaro to car shows to avoid hatred from purists. The wing was built by Cage Rage Chassis in Burns, TN, and said to be a significant help over 140 mph, especially when running the smaller 8.5-inch tire.

Tech Notes
Who: Jamie Wayne, 46
What: 1969 Chevy Camaro Z/28 “Freight Train”
Location: Loretto, TN
Occupation: Owner; Rod Shop Paint and Performance
FCIDS Episodes: 5, 7
Engine: 632 ci by Butler Performance
Rotating Assembly: Callies crank, R&R Racing rods, JE Pistons
Block: Brodix aluminum
Compression: 12.7:1
Cam: Custom-grind from BES Racing Engines; don’t ask specs
Top End: Brodix Headhunter 24-degree heads, custom ported and matched by BES Racing
Power Adder: Fast Lane Nitrous Fogger X275 with 600 shot; NOS Launcher
Power: 1,150 hp on motor; 1700 hp on nitrous
Suspension: Calvert Racing CalTracs (leaf springs); TRZ Motorsports rear control arms, Menscer Motorsports adjustable shocks
Rear Axle: Moser M9 chrome moly housing; Strange Ultra-Light centersection
Drivetrain: PTC Powerglide with 1.58 planetary gear and TCI Pro Tree trans brake
Weight: 3,150 pounds, with driver
Front Wheels: 15×3.5 Weld Racing Alumastar
Rear Wheels: 15×11 Billet Specialties
Front Tires: 26/4.5-15 Mickey Thompson ET
Rear Tires: 28/10.5R15 Mickey Thompson Pro Bracket Radial
Best Time: Mid 4 seconds
Special Thanks: Bishop Engine Service, Butler, Robert Lane (Fast Lane Nitrous), PTC, Brent Daniels, Chris Chapman, David Key

Eric Malone / 1998 Camaro SS

Eric Malone’s 1998 SS Camaro is on the verge of being a full race car but still retains some street manners. Just throw an alternator on it and a bigger gas tank and it can drive around town. The interior still retains door panels and carpet with the addition of a Kirkey racing seat and mini-tubs. The rollcage is certified for 7.50 quarter-mile e.t.’s.

Tech Notes
Who: Eric Malone, 46
What: 1998 Chevrolet Camaro SS
Location: Muscle Shoals, AL
Occupation: Technical supervisor at PTC
FCIDS Episodes: Pilot, 7
Engine: 638ci big-block Chevy 14-degree, Butler Performance
Rotating Assembly: Crower crankshaft, R&R rods, with JE Pistons
Block: Dart Big M
Compression: 14:1
Cam: Bullet Cams custom grind
Top End: Used 14-degree DRCE Pro-Stock-style
Power Adder: Nitrous Express Fogger 600 shot; NOS Launcher
Power: 1,600 hp on motor (estimated)
Suspension: Stock-style torque arm and Menscer Motorsports adjustable coilovers in stock location
Rear Axle: Quick Performance 9-inch for F-bodies, with 9.5-inch big pinion and 4:10 gears
Drivetrain: PTC Powerglide 1:58 First gear; with TCI Pro-X shifter
Weight: 3,300 pounds with driver
Front Wheels: 15×4 Champion Billet Black Cap5
Rear Wheels: 15×11 Champion Billet Black Cap5 with Mac Fab bead-locks
Front Tires: 26×4.5R15 Hoosier Front Runners
Rear Tires: 275/60R15 Hoosier Bracket Radial ET
Best Time: 5.0 e.t. at 150 mph
Special Thanks: NGK, Nitrous Express, PTC, Quick Performance, Butler Performance

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Grudge Racing With the Fastest Cars in the Dirty South