Powershift Performance

AMERICAN BIG RIG RACING 2024 SCHEDULE

With heavy hearts we have cancelled the balance of our 2024 racing season. Many of our teams are truckers in and near the areas devastated by what was hurricane Helene. While our team members are okay, friends, neighbors, and extended family are not. We cannot go have fun racing while so many have lost so much. We will each do what we can to help, and then we'll be back racing in 2025.

Mackvader at Nashville Speedway

Have you met Mike Morgan and his #88 race truck named Mackvader™? They have been racing and having all kinds of fun together. What kinds of fun? Well, would you believe...

Oval Racing

When Covid hit and the Bandit Series folded many drivers talked about what would be next. The concensus after much discussion was a race series run by the drivers themselves, supported by the race tracks, and known as American Big Rig Racing. In 2023 the first race was held at Salem Speedway, and more followed. Currently, Mike Morgan and Mackvader continue to race both asphalt and dirt tracks with American Big Rig Racing (Mike is Vice President).

2023 ~ 2024

When the ChampTruck series folded many of the drivers started talking about racing their trucks on oval tracks. There were several "practice" races in 2016, then the Bandit Big Rig Series opened for real in 2017 with sold-out tracks and a hugh following reminiscent of GATR racing during the 70s and 80s. Fans were allowed onto the track at half-time to meet the drivers and check out the race trucks. When COVID hit most tracks closed down with only one race in 2020 and three in 2021. Then the series sponsor withdrew. Some drivers moved to the limited FASS Truck race series based in the Carolinas. The potential winnings were too small to justify hauling Mackvader™ to the Carolina race tracks.

2021 ~ 2020 ~ 2019 ~ 2018 ~ 2017

Club Racing

Morgan and Mackvader™ dominated the national ChampTruck Big Rig Series winning the championship both years that the series ran on sports car tracks (2015 & 2016). At the last race of the 2015 season in Las Vegas the big rigs alternated races with the sports cars. Well, a corner worker came by Mike's pit late in the day and commented: "Did you know that you have faster lap times in this big rig than any of the sports cars on this track?" Yeah, trucks can be fast!

2016 ~ 2015

Autocross

Power Nationals at Nashville Superspeedway, September 2022: Video 1~ Video 2 ~ Video 3

Mackvader's™ first autocross with a local club in 2015: Video

Drifting

East10 Drift at Chilhowee Park (Knoxville, TN), October 2022: Video 1 ~ Video 2 ~ Video 3

Music video filmed in Franklin, TN 2020: Video

Drifting demo in Middle TN, 2016: Video

Uphill drift during race at VIR in 2016: Video

Turismo Drift at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway:

November 2016: Drone/GoPro ~ Video 1 ~ Video 2 ~ Photo
May 2016: ~ A Weekend in Nashville ~ Video 1 ~ Video 2

Drag Racing

The night before the race at Salem Speedway in 2021 the neighboring drag strip drew Mackvader's™ interest. And yes, Mackvader™ had to give it a try!

Video 1 ~ Video 2 ~ Video 3 ~ Video 4

Fast Mile

Arkansas Fast Mile, June 2017: Video ~ Photo 1 ~ Photo2
Mackvader™ topped out at 102.6 in the quarter mile, 119.8 in the half mile, and 136.0 mph in the mile.

Other Events

Highway 41 Toy Convoy, November 2022: Video 1 ~ Video 2 ~ Photo 1 ~ Photo 2 ~ Photo 3
This was Mackvader's™ first year in this large convoy that starts in Manchester and runs to Wartrace. The race truck was honored with the position just vehind the leading fire trucks. This is an annual event.

DSAMT Charity Ride Along at Veterans Motorplex: Video ~ 1st year ~ 2019 ~ 2020 ~ 2021
Mike has offered rides around the (Highland Rim) racetrack in Mackvader™ for auction to raise funds for Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee for many years.

Nashville Cars and Coffee: 2016 ~ 2017 ~ 2018 ~ 2020 ~ 2021
This event was being held in Franklin, TN, but has moved to the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, TN. It's held the first Saturday of the month and is open to motorcycles, trucks, and antique vehicles. Well attended and lots of fun. Mike shows Mackvader™ there periodically to promote big rig racing.

American Truck Historical Society (ATHS) Show (Guntersville, AL): 2018 ~ 2019 ~ 2020
Mackvader™ often meets up with the Rubber Duck from the movie "Convoy" complete with original tanker. This 1970 Mack was restored by Danny Bruno and is now owned by Anthony Fox.

Antique Truck Club of America (ACTA) in Macungie, PA: 2016

Mackvader™ has also participated in: