FARMTRUCK

Farmtruck’s love for trucks started when he was just 12 years old, riding alongside his father in a 1956 Ford pickup. By his teenage years, he was already part of the street-racing scene on Route 66, standing between the fastest cars with a flashlight in hand to start the races.

After experimenting with several trucks that never quite lived up to what he was looking for, Farmtruck spotted a simple ad in Auto Trader Magazine: “Very fast truck for sale.”

That truck was a 1970 Chevrolet C-10—and it would eventually become the Farmtruck.

With its faded paint, camper shell, dents, and signature “ZZZZZ” license plate, the Farmtruck looks more like something you’d find hauling parts than lining up for a race. And that’s exactly the point. Underneath its weathered exterior is a purpose-built machine designed to catch unsuspecting competitors off guard.

While the outside retains the battered, unassuming appearance that made it famous, underneath is an entirely different story. The factory chassis has been reinforced with help from Hot Rods to Hell in Redding, California. QA1 Mod Series shocks help keep the rear planted while allowing the front suspension to travel and transfer weight on the street.

The Farmtruck originally ran a 502ci GM crate engine, but eventually stepped up to an Advanced Racing Engines 632ci big-block, producing well over 1,000 horsepower with the help of two stages of Nitrous Express. Sunoco 116-octane race fuel feeds the combination through a Holley Dominator carburetor.

All that power makes its way through a Rossler Turbo 400 transmission, the truck’s factory-style two-piece driveshaft, and a Quick Performance 9-inch rear differential.

And you’ll usually hear the Farmtruck before you see it. A custom Stainless Works exhaust system and Black Widow mufflers give the big-block its unmistakable rumble.

It may still look like an old work truck—but that has always been the Farmtruck’s greatest trick.

While Farmtruck and AZN enjoy competing in events, they’re even more passionate about “fishing.” Fishing involves luring unsuspecting racers into betting money by complimenting their cars and downplaying the Farmtruck’s true power. AZN takes the lead on smack talk, while Farmtruck handles the driving.

AZN

AZN has been Farmtruck’s best friend for well over a decade. While Farmtruck handles the racing, AZN has traditionally handled the smack talk. He always has Farmtruck’s back—but he’s never been shy about wanting to get behind the wheel of something fast himself.

AZN was born and raised in Oklahoma, but motorsports were part of his family long before he came along. His family owned a Hodaka and Maico motorcycle dealership in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, laying the groundwork for a lifelong connection to anything with an engine.

AZN’s first car was a 1964 Chevy II Nova, and it quickly became more than just transportation. He and his father tore the car apart together, replacing the original inline-six with a V8 and turning the little Nova into something considerably more capable. It was behind the wheel of that car that AZN began learning the ropes of street racing on Route 66.

As he became a regular in the local street-racing scene, AZN eventually found himself lined up against a rusty old pickup that had recently appeared on the streets. That truck was the Farmtruck.

The race may have started them off as competitors, but it didn't stay that way for long. The man behind the wheel of that beat-up Chevy took AZN under his wing, becoming a mentor and helping him improve the Nova and sharpen his skills both on and off the street.

What started with a rusty pickup, a little Chevy Nova, and a race on Route 66 eventually became a friendship—and Farmtruck and AZN were born as a team.

After a less-than-successful attempt at racing lawn mowers, AZN finally found a sleeper of his own: The Dung Beetle.

The Dung Beetle is a 1966 Volkswagen Beetle that looks like, well… dung on the outside. But underneath its weathered exterior is a completely different animal.

Power comes from a turbocharged Subaru EJ25 flat-four producing around 500 horsepower on E85. A 65mm Turbonetics turbocharger supplies the boost, while a built IAG short block, upgraded cylinder heads, and a street cam make up the heart of the combination. Haltech engine management controls the fuel and ignition, with tuning handled by Ben West of Edmond, Oklahoma.

The Subaru conversion was commissioned through Misfire Motorsports in Edmond, Oklahoma, transforming the old Volkswagen into a legitimate sleeper while keeping as much of its original personality intact as possible.

Backing the engine is a Rancho-built VW Bus Box 4-speed manual transmission—complete with a good old-fashioned clutch pedal on the floor. QA1 double-adjustable shocks help keep the sticky Mickey Thompson tires planted when the boost comes in.

And despite everything that has been stuffed underneath it, the Dung Beetle hasn't forgotten that it's still a street car.

The power windows still go up and down. The windshield wipers still work. And from the outside, it still looks like Dung.