Take a look at this, Worst Luck for Justin Swanstrom: Engine Trouble & Blower Explosion Rock Orlando Speed World!
The atmosphere at Orlando Speed World was scorching, and not just from the Florida heat. What was supposed to be another exciting test and tune session turned into a weekend of setbacks, costly repairs, and relentless thrashing in the pits. The video titled “THIS IS GOING TO COST A LOT… (Worst Luck)” perfectly captures the rollercoaster of emotions when drag racing throws its toughest punches.
Rick’s Promising Start Turns Costly
At the beginning of Day Two, Rick’s car set a personal-best 60-foot time, marking progress for both the driver and the machine. However, the excitement was short-lived as the car pulled a massive wheelie, unsettling the pass. To address the problem, the team lowered the motor, tightened the front struts, and loosened the rear shocks in hopes of forcing the nose down and stabilizing future runs.
Moneybag and Todd Push Forward
Meanwhile, the Moneybag car received a bigger overdrive setup, raising expectations for cleaner passes. Todd, fresh off a solid run from the previous outing, looked to keep momentum alive. Spirits were high, but drag racing often delivers surprises—and not always the good kind.
Chaos Hits the Pits: Broken Parts Everywhere
By mid-day, mechanical gremlins struck hard:
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The Mustang hurt two cylinders, demanding immediate attention.
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Todd’s car suffered a violent blower explosion, sending fire and smoke dangerously close to the windshield.
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The Moneybag car continued to fight consistency issues, leaving Jesse visibly frustrated behind the wheel.
With engines apart, oil pans dropped, and headers removed, the pits looked more like a battlefield than a race prep area.
Emergency Motor Swap
Despite the chaos, the crew showed resilience. When Rick’s engine damage became clear, the team decided to swap in a backup motor from “Prenup.” Working under brutal heat, they tore into the car, swapped the motor, and thrashed to get the machine back on track. It was a grueling workout session that tested both patience and pocketbooks.
Track Conditions Add to the Trouble
As if mechanical failures weren’t enough, the freshly reground track surface proved tricky. Drivers noticed the lack of rubber in crucial areas, making it nearly impossible to find traction and see the tree properly. Despite the setbacks, the Moneybag car finally managed to make a clean pass—the first sign of hope after multiple weekends of frustration.
Back in Business… At a Cost
By nightfall, the crews managed to reassemble their broken machines. Leak-down tests, valve adjustments, and careful timing work gave the cars new life. With everything bolted back together, optimism returned to the pits. As one racer said:
“It’s like it never happened. The pocketbook happened, but in our mind, it didn’t.”
The Reality of Drag Racing
The video shows the raw side of no-prep and outlaw drag racing—where high horsepower comes with high risk, and one bad pass can cost thousands in repairs. From personal bests to blown motors, Orlando Speed World delivered a weekend no one will forget.
For fans, it’s a reminder of why drag racing is both brutal and beautiful: the constant chase for speed, the determination to overcome, and the bond between teams who refuse to quit—no matter how much it costs.
