Jeff Lutz Gears Up for Sick Week with Goals of 5-Second Runs and Completing the Week in What Could Be One of His Final Drag and Drive Events
After a decade plus of racing multiple venues, including the popular Street Outlaws and No Prep Kings series, Jeff Lutz took an opportunity to get back to another chapter of street cars in his life in 2024, participating in his first drag and drive event in seven years at Sick Week presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive.
In the two years since that return to first drag and drive, the iconic ’69 Camaro known as ‘Mad Max’ has lived up to its name, returning some solid runs, but also leaving Jeff frustrated at times. As before, he finds himself busy with plenty of work and projects, but ready to start the season at Sick Week, with some goals to accomplish, in what could be his final ride.
Sick the Magazine is READY for a solid 2026, as we will host FIVE events, four of them as a major week-long drag and drive event! Make plans to join us at one (or more) of our events: Gear Vendors Overdrive Sick Week, Motion Raceworks Sick Summer, Driven Racing Oil Sick Michigan Miles, Edelbrock Sick 66, and Speedfest. For more information and details, visit the Sick The Mag events page by CLICKING HERE!
“Drag and drive has been good to me and my family,” said Jeff. “It’s given me and my son Jeffrey a chance to bring out multiple cars, and make great memories.”
Jeff has experienced a lot of success in his racing career, as well as drag and drive. He has racked up several top five overall finishes at Hot Rod Drag Week in multiple cars, including a pair of well-known 1957 Chevrolets. He also scooped up a pair of overall wins, and held the overall quickest e.t record for a decade, a 6.19, with the ’69 Camaro he continues to wheel today.
Those levels of success came back last year, with an overall win at the Sick At The Rock event presented by Motion Raceworks, where Jeff laid down the quickest run of the class, a 3.84 at 195 mph, and even qualified for the bonus Pro Mod show after completing the necessary street miles.
But he also had a couple rough outings, cranking out 5-second runs in pre-event testing at both Sick Week and Hot Rod Drag Week, but not advancing out of the first day of competition. “We got lost with the tune ups for Mad Max,” he said. “The motor set-up never changed, we just lost the way. I do have a guy coming down to Florida for some pre-Sick Week testing, and we’ll get it figured out.”
“We’ve got the eighth-mile figured out,” he said. “We’ve proved that at multiple places; Just need to get the back half done. I need to finish a drag and drive; just finishing is a feat in itself.”
Jeff has stayed busy recently, trying to rebuild his truck and trailer after a fire, and documenting it for his YouTube channel. He’s also spent some time with NHRA Top Fuel pilot and friend Clay Millican. But Sick Week presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive is now Jeff’s focus.
“Jeffrey and I will be giving it our best on Sick Week this year,” said Jeff. “I’m looking forward to it, and seeing all my friends. Tom and I had competed together at Drag Week, and the way Sick Week is done, I’m happy to support him.”
“My quest is not only the 5-second pass every day, but to finish Sick Week,” said Jeff. “That is my number one goal.” If those boxes are checked off, could this be Jeff’s final drag and drive? “I’ve thought about it. I’m about ready to pass the torch to Jeffrey, but I want to get s couple goals accomplished first.”
Can Jeff Lutz stand atop the mountain one last time, along with setting some new records in the process? Don’t miss the 2026 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, February 1st through the 7th. Discounted advance tickets and event details are available at the Sick Week event page by CLICKING HERE!
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick The Magazine and Jeff Lutz.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com