After an astounding 336 runs, 14 finals, and countless semi/quarterfinal appearances, the sun is setting on Mark Dudley Jr.’s 2025 race season. His 1974 Plymouth Duster put on an absolute master class in consistency this year, thanks in part to its Blackbird Performance Race Spec 700+ 6.4L Hemi.
In Mark’s words, he went the whole summer “without a single issue from the Hemi and basically 0 maintenance. [We] only changed the oil every 125 runs!” Coming from a former diehard Mopar small block guy that’s been shown the light of the G3 Hemi, that’s high praise.
Unfortunately, the Duster’s 727 automatic transmission decided to send some internals into outer space a few weeks ago, breaking parts of Mark’s right foot and putting the brakes on any more racing. Fear not as wheels are already turning to get the A-body mended.
Suffice to say the crew at Blackbird Performance is tickled that Mr. Dudley was able to give their engine package a real world wringing out that showed they’re here to stay:
Mark Dudley Jr. had one heck of a year. His mission was simple, go see if we can prove the Blackbird Performance Race Spec 700+ can put down the numbers, be reliable and consistent and go rounds / win.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
And that is about as big an understatement as you can make.
So thankful to have him, the Bracket Assassin, part of the Band of Hemi Brothers and Sisters, and very thankful that when the transmission decided it had enough G3 Hemi power, and catastrophically failed, he was not hurt worse. His fantastic foot braking foot is healing up and we are looking forward to what’s next, more on that soon.
