Since the very first Ultimate Callout Challenge (UCC), in 2016, the overall winner of the competition has been determined by the final leg of the challenge — the truck pull. While the dyno challenge and drag race sessions are hard on the competitors, the final event is a serious torture test for all vehicles. Why is the truck pull the toughest? Because, before they get to UCC, competitors might know how much power their truck can lay down on the dyno or how quickly it can sprint through the eighth-mile, but dragging a sled across dirt is another challenge with a lot variables. There are no second chances, no do-overs, and nobody likes excuses. Thankfully, UCC 2024 didn’t disappoint.

But, while the challenge participants are an exciting part of the UCC, we can’t forget that this is about more than just big horsepower numbers and dragging a sled 300-plus-feet. It’s about diesel enthusiasts as a whole, and this event brings thousands of them to Indianapolis each year.

As usual, this year’s event started great. The weather was comfortable, the drag strip was brimming with eighth-mile action, and the dyno was creating legends and breaking hearts. When I say hearts were broken, I don’t just mean low horsepower numbers. The trucks in the Challenge are being pushed to the limit, and as expected, there is a lot of carnage as parts make ventilation holes in engine blocks and/or transmission cases.

Unfortunately, the dyno didn’t go as planned for some competitors.

Anyway, unfortunately, the rains came early Saturday morning. This definitely put a damper on UCC 2024 and the challenges were put on hold until almost Noon on Sunday. However, the UCC crew worked their tails off to get the challenge back underway and completed by Sunday evening.

Ken Bruner and team came from Windsor, California to show everyone they have what it takes to win.

While the event focus is about big horsepower and lightning-quick diesels, we want to take this time to showcase those in attendance who weren’t vying for the Ultimate crown. We’ll talk about them in an upcoming article, but for now, let’s take some time to look at some of the more down-to-earth vehicles that spent the weekend with us at the 2024 UCC.

To start off our event coverage, we must first acknowledge this year’s UCC Champion, Kenny Bruner. With an eight-mile time of 5.29 seconds, a dyno pull of 2,832 horsepower, 3,120 lb-ft of torque, and a pull of the sled that traveled 317.81 feet, The Bruner team demonstrated what it takes to win.

But as I said, unfortunately, the weather really put a damper on many of the festivities on Saturday, as the rains came at around 11:00 a.m. But nonetheless, there were still plenty of things to see while dodging the rain. Since the racing and dyno challenge was put on hold, the vendors were able to help those with their questions and needs while dodging those raindrops. However, it made gathering images to put together this event coverage, tough. The rain chased many away, but those who remained could still enjoy the vendors midway and the show trucks that braved the weather.

As I previously mentioned, the event is more than just a competition between those looking to be Diesel King, and we’ll showcase them in another article. But it’s the diesel enthusiasts who took the time to bring their trucks to the event simply to have a good time that I want to showcase here. So, without further ado, here are a few of the coolest trucks I found at the 2024 Ultimate Callout Challenge.

UCC 2024: Super, Super Duty

The Ford Super Duty contingent was well represented at UCC, and Corey Kemp of Illinois has one great-looking rig. The blacked-out ride was sporting several upgrades under the hood along with some tasteful dress up items. The American Force wheels helped create a ride to remember.

Super Silverado

Zach and Terry Barton of Beecher, Illinois know how to build one seriously cool Silverado. The 2006 rig features a 6.6-liter Duramax with compound turbos, Exergy injectors, and an Airdog fuel delivery. A shot of giggle juice from Nitrous Express is added insurance if needed.

Behind the Duramax is a nearly bulletproof six-speed Allison that is fortified with Billet internals. Inside we found custom race seats that complement the otherwise stock-appearing interior. Rolling stock is 20×10 American Force wheels wrapped in Nitto 555 R II tires.

UCC 2024: Old School Meets Older School

Hailing from north central Indiana, Ben Navarre and his ’75 W200 Dodge definitely caught our attention. The truck was formally a Forest Service rig from Idaho. After Ben’s 2010 3500 met an untimely demise, he worked with Stack’d And Jack’d of Goshen, Indiana to help build his dream truck.

Hot-Rodded Hauler

I come from a background of big trucks, so when I saw this vintage Mack sitting on the VIP showfield, to say my interest was piqued would be an understatement. Unfortunately, there was no window sticker for me to identify the owner and I was never able to make contact, but the big Mack was definitely one of the coolest rigs at the show.

There were so many trucks in attendance — before the rains came — that we barely touched the surface before the weather turned…well…crappy for the next 12 hours. But regardless of the weather, check out the gallery of images and take a look at more of the unbelievably cool trucks that showed up at UCC 2024.