This is not your grandpa’s pickup | Pine Mountain ’26 Results

J.A.
By J.A. Ackley
Apr 30, 2026 | SCCA, Pickup, hillclimb, Appalachian HillClimb Series, Pine Mountain HillClimb, SCCA Appalachian HillClimb Series, international

Photo courtesy Creative Justice Photography/SCCA

Cody Puckett won a lot of hillclimbs with a 1970 Camaro, but he wanted to go even faster with something lighter and more powerful. His solution? The Puckett Bucket, a 1937 International D2 pickup. However, this isn’t your grandfather’s–or possibly great-grandfather’s–truck. It’s powered by a turbocharged 5.3-liter LS engine and the body sits on a custom-built tube frame that Cody constructed at his Victory Fabrication.

The Camaro used a mostly stock 6.2-liter LS3, with its sole change being an aftermarket camshaft. It made 460 horses and weighed 3250 pounds.


Photo courtesy Creative Justice Photography/SCCA.

The Puckett Bucket puts out anywhere between 450 and 650 horsepower, depending on boost, and weighs just 2400 pounds.

Other go-fast parts on the International include a double A-arm front suspension and double A-arm independent rear suspension, with Viking triple-adjustable shocks all around. The V8 connects with a Mid Valley four-speed dogbox transmission. The car also uses electric power steering, a Winters quick-change rear end, and it rides of 18x12-inch wheels with 335-wide rubber.


Cody debuted the truck at last year’s Pine Mountain HillClimb, where a stuck throttle sent it careening off course. He spent the year rebuilding the chassis and returned the Camaro to service for the remainder of the Appalachian HillClimb Series 2025 schedule.

This year, the Puckett Bucket made its comeback, turning a 1:42.974 time, winning its class and finishing sixth overall. It’s better than last year’s run (1:47.417), but still not as fast as his Camaro’s time in 2024, when it clocked in at 1:42.755. With some fine tuning, however, the Puckett Bucket will surely eclipse that mark next time.

The SCCA Appalachian HillClimb Series returns to action May 29-31 with its inaugural Brushy Mountain HillClimb in Tennessee.


Pine Mountain HillClimb drivers participate in the annual 
Wear Your Helmet to Work Day. Photo courtesy Creative Justice Photography/SCCA.

Pine Mountain HillClimb Results
SCCA Appalachian HillClimb Series Race 1
Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville, Ky.
April 25-26, 2026

1. Martin Donnelly, 2017 — Karts Crosskart, Special Open, 1:36.706 (King of the Hill)
2. James Togher, 2022 Speedcar Xtreme, Special Open, 1:38.787
3. Justin Reed, 2016 DFkitcar Goblin, Special Open, 1:39.730
4. Sean McMeel, 2022 Speedcar Xtreme, Special Open, 1:41.961
5. Dermot Treanor, 2018 Speedcar Extreme, Special Open, 1:42.870
6. Cody Puckett, 1937 International D2, Outlaw, 1:42.974
7. Raymond Kochin Jr., 2019 X Wonder, Special Open, 1:43.978
8. Dan Foley, 2008 Mitsubishi Evo x, Sport Unlimited, 1:44.119
9. Jon Post, 2022 Speedcar Wonder, Special Open, 1:45.303
10. Cody Burleson, 2011 Nissan GT-R, Sport Unlimited, 1:45.706
11. Phillip Glass-Hess, 1994 Mazda Miata, Outlaw, 1:46.197
12. Michael Robinson, 1999 Chevrolet Camaro, Outlaw, 1:46.368
13. Andrew McEachern, 2022 Speedcar Wonder, Special Open, 1:46.403
14. Heyward Wagner, 2005 Mazda RX8, Sport Unlimited, 1:46.901
15. Daniel Semon, 1992 Mazda Miata, Outlaw, 1:47.980
16. Eddie Fries, 2024 Speedcar Wonder, Special Open, 1:48.394
17. Ted Visscher, 2008 Red Devil T-8-2 S Lotus, Special Limited, 1:48.439
18. Ben Sedler, 2006 Subaru WRX STI, Sport Unlimited, 1:48.987
19. Jamie Thomas, 1997 Ford, Sport Unlimited, 1:49.715
20. David Clemens, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Sport Unlimited, 1:49.797
21. Robert Smithson, 2017 Chevrolet Camaro, Sport Unlimited, 1:50.962
22. Brad Gates, 1999 Chevrolet Corvette C5, Super Modified, 1:51.244
23. Seth Rogers, 2009 Mini Cooper S, Sport Max, 1:51.416

24. Jamie Melhuish, 1994 Mitsubishi Evolution II, Sport Unlimited, 1:51.418
25. Alex Bellone, 2001 Honda S2000, Sport Unlimited, 1:51.524
26. Stephen Galik, 1993 Honda Civic DX, Modified, 1:52.248
27. Keith Hagen, 2001 Subaru Impreza, Sport Unlimited, 1:52.285
28. Tracy Gaudu, 2008 Chevrolet C6 Z06, Outlaw, 1:52.547 (Queen of the Hill)
29. Gregory Wilcox, 1994 Mitsubishi Evolution 2, Outlaw, 1:52.681
30. Shawn O’Neill, 2017 Ford Focus RS, Sport Unlimited, 1:52.837
31. Lawrence Shue, 2003 BMW M3, Super Modified, 1:53.205
32. George Bowland, 2003 Purpose-built / V BB, Special Open, 1:53.231
33. Hunter Huffman, 1989 Honda CRX, Modified, 1:53.416
34. Daniel Hixson, 2019 Purpose-built / V Le, Special Limited, 1:53.468
35. Mark Pelto, 1937 Ford INEX Legends Car, Special Limited, 1:54.084
36. Brad Smith, 2022 SMW Doofwagon, Special Limited, 1:54.595
37. Christopher Rathke, Porsche 911 Carrera S, Sport Unlimited, 1:54.718
38. Lliam Donohue, 2000 BMW 325, Super Modified, 1:54.933
39. Paul Boissinot, 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera, Super Modified, 1:55.352
40. Randy Adkins, 2005 Ford Mustang GT, Super Sport, 1:55.710
41. Thomas Plaza, 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass, Classic Stock Car, 1:55.828

42. Erik Mohn, 2004 Mazda Mazdaspeed Miata, Super Sport, 1:56.378
43. Frederic Boissinot, 2006 Porsche 997 Carrera 2, Super Modified, 1:56.981
44. Ryan Cheek, 2006 Ford Mustang, Super Modified, 1:57.113
45. Jake Breedlove, 2000 Chevrolet Corvette FRC, Super Modified, 1:57.346
46. Peter Bruschi, 2015 Ford Mustang Ecoboost PP, Super Modified, 1:57.377
47. Andrew Scott, 2004 Mazda Miata, Super Sport, 1:57.577
48. Matthew Longanacre, 2004 Ford Mustang Cobra, Sport Unlimited, 1:57.706
49. Garrett Snyder, 1997 BMW Z3 2.8, Super Sport, 1:57.861
50. Albert George, 2017 Chevrolet Camaro, Sport Max, 1:58.390
51. Rick Hartsell, Royal RP 26, Special Limited, 1:58.490
52. James Swift, 2008 Homebuilt N/A, Special Open, 1:59.239
53. Seth Monteleone, 1999 Mazda Miata, Sport, 1:59.522
54. Richard Sawicki, 2001 Mazda Miata, Sport, 2:00.041
55. Andy Loscavio, 2003 Honda Civic Si, Sport, 2:00.196
56. Steve Eckerich, 2004 Mazda RX8, Modified, 2:00.664
57. Mark Pilson, 2009 Ford Mustang, Super Sport, 2:01.242
58. Emilio Morillo, 1999 BMW M3, Sport Max, 2:01.399
59. Dillon Broyles, 2010 Honda Fit, Sport, 2:01.501
60. Zander Sharpe, 1991 Mazda Miata, Sport, 2:01.691
61. Brandon Marshall, 1990 BMW 325iS, Sport, 2:01.904
62. Zachary Clemens, 1995 Nissan 240sx, Sport, 2:01.928
63. Taylor Shead, 1999 Mazda Miata, Sport, 2:01.963
64. Chad Summey, 1976 Datsun B210, Modified, 2:02.117
65. Michael Snowden, 1997 Mazda Miata, Modified, 2:02.548
66. Jimmy Acito, 2001 Veloce mk2 sports racer, Special Open, 2:02.780
67. Trevor Cox, 2003 Honda Civic Si, Modified, 2:02.919
68. Scott Snowden, 1997 Mazda Miata, Modified, 2:04.262
69. John Hanna, 2012 Infiniti G37, Super Sport, 2:04.497
70. Robby Helms, 1988 Honda CRX, Modified, 2:04.514
71. Greg Hagan, 1973 Elden TPE Tigger III, Special Open, 2:04.899
72. Benjamin Gibbins, 2008 Subaru Impreza STi, Sport Unlimited, 2:05.578
73. Mark Miller, 1999 Mazda Miata, Sport, 2:06.084
74. Scott Francis, 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Sport Max, 2:06.122
75. Glenn Hoffman, 1989 Honda CRX, Modified, 2:06.847
76. Mike Jackson, 2002 Dodge Charger, Classic Stock Car, 2:07.339
77. Rob Leslie, 1988 Honda CRX, Modified, 2:07.378
78. April Cretsinger, Honda Fit, Sport, 2:07.824
79. Thomas Ricker, 1999 Mazda Miata, Sport, 2:08.152
80. Vicki Lanning, 2004 Mazda RX8, Modified, 2:08.203
81. Brian Tinker, 2013 Scion Frs, Sport, 2:09.117
82. Brian Gause, 1974 Chevrolet Z/28, Super Sport, 2:09.296
83. Billy Parrott, 1996 Mazda Miata, Sport, 2:09.581
84. Jim Greenleaf, 1987 Porsche 924s, Modified, 2:10.098
85. Glenn Murphey, 1991 Mazda Miata, Sport, 2:11.131
86. Jim Lewis, 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt DF Goblin, Special Open, 2:12.175
87. Jeffrey McCallister, 2012 Buick Regal GS, Super Sport, 2:12.932
88. Stephen Vitale, 1972 Ford F250, Outlaw, 2:14.212
89. Emily Oswald, 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit, Sport, 2:14.314
90. Alec Inhouse, 2005 Ford Crown Victoria, Super Sport, 2:15.465
91. Emily Oswald, 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit, Sport, 2:16.121
92. Eddie Melendez, 1990 Mazda Miata, Sport, 2:16.195
93. Aaron Getchell, 1978 Datsun 280Z, Super Modified, 2:19.992
94. Richard Hunter, 1991 Mazda Miata, Sport, 2:23.096
95. Grace Huntzinger, 1986 Volkswagen Scirocco 16V, Modified, 2:28.748
96. Katie George, 2000 Mazda Miata, Sport, 2:32.721
97. David Iwanicki, 2014 Chevrolet Camaro, Classic Stock Car, 2:35.723
98. James Lundy, Troyer Northeast Modified, Classic Stock Car, 2:36.449
99. Michael Plaster, Chevrolet Silverado Super Truck, Classic Stock Car, No Time

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Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
4/30/26 12:56 p.m.

I was sold as soon as I read the name of the vehicle: The Puckett Bucket. laugh

DavyZ
DavyZ Reader
4/30/26 1:35 p.m.

This is a very cool, unconventional, but purpose-built racer.  I like the fact he gave a nod to the rat rod crowd.  Hah, I finally noticed the F1 mirrors!  How cool is that?

J.A. Ackley
J.A. Ackley Senior Editor
4/30/26 3:00 p.m.

Here's what a run behind the Puckett Bucket looks like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbJW9vhP5rs

 

722Racing
722Racing New Reader
4/30/26 4:30 p.m.

And a cooler guy does not exist. I've seen this dude be an absolute champion in tough situations. What an incredible truck, an incredible driver, and wow, the resilience. 

NOHOME
NOHOME MegaDork
4/30/26 7:02 p.m.

Me gusta mucho!

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