Aptly named "Accelerated Learning," Pennsylvania College of Technology’s 1959 B-61 Model Mack drag truck, has been a valuable extra-curricular experience - one that complements academic curriculum, providing real-world experience for tomorrow’s workforce. After 25 plus years of combined effort and support from alumni, industry partners and students, recent Diesel Performance Club members joined forces with a common goal of competing with the fasted trucks in the east. They poured an incredible amount of time, energy, and skill into this project. After two years of consistent competition, they met their goal of roaring down the strip at 100 mph!
This past academic year the club made visits to Beaver Springs, Numidia, Maple Grove, and Island Dragway. After extensive modification and tuning, we developed 869 rear wheel horsepower and 8018 ft/lbs of rear wheel torque. The 12,000 lb Mack and driver, TJ Buck, ran its fastest pass of 13.30 at 106 MPH! Our current efforts are focused on exhaust system efficiency, rear sustention modification, and a full-time electric real-time on-board data acquisition system.
We are grateful for the alumni, faculty, and industry partners who built a solid foundation for us to thrive. Our success is a testament to the collective support received from individuals and sponsors. Monetary donations and gifts of materials, tooling, and supplies help our team learn and grow while completing on the national stage. We invite you to help us continue “Accelerated Learning” at Penn College.
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Alum
"Motorama, an annual motorsports extravaganza held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, has been a great experience. I had the privilege of talking to alumni who come by our booth and high school students who are interested in the diesel programs.
With more than 5,000 participants and 50,000 motorsport spectators, there was plenty of networking to do."
Faculty
"Our industry is ever-changing. We have done an exceptional job staying parallel to these trends."
'We won! We won!'
September 24, 2024
"We won! We won!" enthused Mark E. Sones, a faculty adviser for the Diesel Performance Club of Pennsylvania College of Technology. The club's 1959 B-61 Model…
WNEP-TV spotlights diesel drag truck
October 09, 2024
WNEP-TV reporter Mackenzie Aucker and photojournalist Tom Durant visited Pennsylvania College of Technology Wednesday to conduct interviews and capture footage…
Diesel students rev up to recruit at Motorama
February 29, 2024
Penn College's Diesel Performance Club and its 1959 B-61 Model Mack drag truck were revved up to return to Motorama, the annual motorsports extravaganza held…
Diesel club is truckin' to national race Saturday
September 18, 2024
“Accelerated Learning," the 1959 B-61 Model Mack drag truck operated by the Diesel Performance Club of Pennsylvania College of Technology is competing Saturday…
Diesel club's vintage Mack truck wins big again
October 27, 2024
Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Diesel Performance Club has captured another first place in drag race competition. The club's 1959 B-61 Mack drag truck,…
'Accelerated Learning' nabs second at East Coast Truck Nationals
July 24, 2024
“Accelerated Learning,” the 1959 B-61 Model Mack drag truck operated by the Diesel Performance Club of Pennsylvania College of Technology, notched a…
Diesel drag truck victorious against ‘fastest trucks in the East’
September 27, 2024
Racing against the “fastest trucks in the East,” Pennsylvania College of Technology’s 1959 B-61 Model Mack drag truck claimed first place in the Diesel Big Rig…
Diesel Performance Club Experiences Global Eye-Opener at Volvo Facility
April 10, 2013
Students tour the dynometer room, where engines arrive from Sweden, France, and North and South America. The engines are tested to ensure industry settings are…
Diesel Performance Club’s ‘Accelerated Learning’ truck back on drag racing circuit
October 08, 2025
Pennsylvania College of Technology’s “Accelerated Learning” is at it again, and this time, the Diesel Performance Club’s 12,000-pound 1959 B-61 Mack truck…
Calling all cars: Events bring car/truck enthusiasts to two campuses
April 17, 2026
Two recent student-hosted events brought the best of new and old vehicles to the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, where the Diesel Performance Club hosted its…
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