Diesel trucks at The Rock

Nestled deep in the heart of North Carolina resides a small town with a rich history of racing. Having a modest population of just shy of 9,000 people, what the town of Rockingham lacks in physical size, it makes up for in legacy. From a 30-year history in the official NASCAR circuit to countless drag racing championships hosted at Rockingham Dragway, racing is more than a hobby in Rockingham — it’s a way of life.

Perhaps one of the most unique events of the year to take place at Rockingham Dragway is one that fits right into Diesel World as we know it. Rudy’s Spring Truck Jam, taking place the first weekend in May each year, is an incredible event and one that you should already have on your calendar for next year. But what is it that makes the Spring Truck Jam so special? Let’s dive in.

For 2025, Rudy’s Spring Truck Jam served as the kickoff to the Outlaw Diesel Super Series (O.D.S.S.) season, marking the first leg of their 5-event tour this year. If you’ve never seen O.D.S.S. racing in person, it’s one of those you-have-to-experience deals. There’s just something about watching full-size diesel trucks claw their way from a standstill to over 100 miles per hour in seconds that short-circuits your brain in the best possible way.

But there’s more to Spring Truck Jam than just the racing. A quick stroll down vendor alley will find you chatting with some of your favorite brands like Scheid’s Diesel, XDP, Holley Performance, and of course who could forget the Rudy’s Performance Parts booth. Beyond the sea of vendors you’ll find plenty of food options, and even beyond that you’ll find a sea of campers, most of which are owned by the very same teams that you see competing on the drag strip during the day.

But the start of this year’s event wasn’t the vendors, and I would argue it wasn’t even the drag racing. New for 2025, the folks at Rockingham Dragway put in something that can only be described as some of the most fun you can have without it being illegal – a full size Aussie-stlye burnout pit. What started as a clean slab of fresh concrete at the beginning of the weekend quickly got coated in loose tire tread. From diesel swapped Ford Rangers to a full size F450, the burnout pit saw its fair share of shredded tires, diesel smoke, and of course, one or two trucks that needed to be pushed out of the pit. But even those who broke down weren’t left high and dry. After all, the crew at Rudy’s had put up a massive $8,000 in total cash prizes for the burnout competition this year.

So what is it that makes Rudy’s Spring Truck Jam so special? For me, it was more than just the sound of diesel engines tearing down the racetrack, the mix of tire smoke and diesel fumes at the burnout pit, or even some of the biggest, baddest, and best builds North Carolina has to offer. What makes this event truly unique and special is the care and attention that the entire staff at Rudy’s Performance Parts have for not only the event, but for the crowds, the competitors, the media, and more. A quick lap through the pits will show you a hundred smiling faces, the echo of laughter from drivers, crew chiefs, wives, and children, and there wasn’t a single person that I met that wasn’t genuinely happy to be there.

For the first event of the season, it was an incredible one. The weather was nearly perfect, the racing was incredible, and the vibes were amazing. If this is any indication of how the rest of the year is going to go, I’m here for it. And if you’re on the fence about attending an O.D.S.S. event this summer, let me save you the FOMO and cut to the chase – Do it.