Mackvader

1999 Mack Truck Repurposed as a Race Truck

Mackvader™ runs an MP7 engine in a 1999 Mack. As Mike describes the truck:

My truck is a Mack. I'm all about Mack. This truck is a ChampTruck. This is MY truck. I'm building it for the 2015 race season. It's been a life long dream to get into racing, but this was my opportunity to do it in a BIG truck. I've always missed the old days of racing in big trucks. They're bringing it back and I want to be part of it.

Two truck halves purchased. Now let's take them home to build a race truck.

‹

›

Truck Build Out

Mackvader™ was constructed by Mike in his home garage (carport) during nights and weekends throughout 2013-14 with a little help from friends, wife Wendy and son Mikey. Safety features were installed in the newly painted black Mack. The race engine was tuned and tested. Brakes and shocks were done and light weight aluminum wheels mounted. The rear end gear ratio was changed up and the Mack 300 series 5-speed race transmission installed. The exhaust system was installed. Additional cooling capacity was added in the form of a second radiator. A very special Mack factory grille was installed. You can follow the transition of Mike Morgan's discarded cut up Mack truck into a race truck in the slide show above. Mackvader's™ first time on-track at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway was recorded in this video.

The Mack Grille

The race truck sported a very special Mack factory grille that hung on the wall at the Mack Academy in Atlanta for many years before being signed by friends and family.

This grille was fractured when Mackvader™ kissed the wall during the first heat race at Pikes Peak International Speedway in 2015. It has been retired and now resides at Mike's home. The replacement Mack grille came from Mike's fireplace. He's all Mack! And yes, there have been many more grilles over the years.

Mackvader's™ Home

Mackvader™ was built in a carport on a gravel drive, but moved to a friend's barn for the frequent repairs and occasional rebuild. One of the chickens took a shine to Mackvader™ and closely supervised repairs from atop the engine or sitting on the workbench. And then there was CowDog who thought he was Mike's puppy!

2016 Rebuild

Mid-2016 Mackvader™ acquired two black stacks, two small hood scoops, and a shiny windshield visor.

2017-18 Rebuild

After four major wrecks (two so bad that Mackvader™ could not finish the race and one that ended all racing for the night when Mackvader™ went over the safety wall and into the catch fence) Mackvader™ was due for some major work. The frame was straightened and squared up. Side intrusion pods were rebuilt and the hood replaced. Broken springs, bolts and such were replaced. Blue numbers were applied and a gold bulldog added. The cab was adjusted and the engine tweaked. Mackvader™ seemed ready to run again.

2018 Engine Rebuild

After searching for the gremlin in the engine for the first three races of the year, the turbo blew destroying the engine and many components. Mackvader™ underwent "surgery" and his fierce "heart" was replaced with a "heart" of gold!

Video 1 ~ Video 2

2019 Rebuild

After the crash last October at Bristol Mackvader™ is sporting a new hood and fenders, new grille, new gold bulldog, new front bumper, two new doors and some new safety equipment. The black stacks were removed and the exhaust rerouted out the side pods. Before the Bristol Race Mackvader™ dressed up with gold rims and gold bulldog accents, plus a small scoop on the passenger-side fender and eight holes in the hood for increased air flow.

Video

2020-2021 Update

Mackvader™ received the addition of a set of train horns.

Mackvader's™ New Home

During the relative quiet of 2022 Mackvader™ was moved into a new home... Mike's new shop! Everyone looks comfortable now. There's even room for construction of a long-planned second truck. So, what new challenges are out there for this dedicated and talented team?

Mackvader's™ new home
Mackvader™ Jr testing new home pad ~ Mackvader™ Jr 2