Land, Air and Sea – Navy Veteran Scott Brown Trade Air Traffic for the Drag and Drive Proving Grounds at Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive!
After four decades and two different careers in the Navy, Scott Brown made the transition to his third career in Florida, a state with weather that encourages year-round outdoor activities.
Scott spent time enjoying that Florida weather by riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle until late 2024. But at that point, he was ready for a change, and he’d embark on a fourteen month build to participate in his first drag and drive event at the 2026 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive.
Sick the Magazine is READY for a solid 2026, and we’re teaming up with Braggin Rights and Street Car Takeover for the brand-new Speedfest event! For more information and details, visit the Speedfest event page by CLICKING HERE!
“I started this adventure by trading a heavily customized Harley that I had built for the truck in October of 2024 specifically to build a drag and drive vehicle,” said Scott. “Probably the biggest influence in me trying this was watching Derek Bieri. His ‘just go find one and build it’ attitude and then watching him when he took the (Motion Raceworks) OBS with the 632 to Sick Week was super motivating. So, I just went and did it.”
Scott purchased the 1988 GMC pick-up with a gen-one small block and a Turbo 350 transmission, and it didn’t take long for the work to begin on his new acquisition. “I disassembled everything (engine), and it wasn’t what the previous owner claimed,” Scott said.
At that point, his options on the next step were wide open, but Scott already had a plan. “I wanted to go old school instead of an LS like everyone else,” he said. “I knew I probably wouldn’t be competitive, but decided this was for me doing what I enjoy and having some fun.”
Scott tried to fix the existing engine but ran into issues, so he decided to do a new build instead. An early 1970s Chevrolet production was purchased from a local speed shop, and Scott went to work, filling it with an Eagle rotating assembly, DSS race pistons, roller-type valvetrain, and a pair of Flotek cylinder heads top it off. A NX nitrous system was also added to the mix.
A TCI Transmissions Turbo 350 3-speed automatic backs the 385 cubic inch stroker small block, and Scott beefed up the stock 10-bolt rear end, which now sports 3.73 gears.
Scott also gave the truck an altitude adjustment, dropping it six inches in the front, and switched in full tubular control arms and lowering springs. The rear got dropped by eight inches, employing a c-notch and flip kit on the rear. QA1s got installed at all four corners, and a set of Cal-Trac bars took their place in the back to aid with traction.
Over the next fourteen months, Scott handled all the driveline upgrades, plus a full re-wire of the truck, and installed a Motion Raceworks steering column and steering wheel, as well as their Operator shifter.
With the GMC assembled and a few hundred miles on it, Scott was ready to embark on his first drag and drive event at Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive. “I finally got the truck fairly lined out, and what I thought was ready to go but the entire truck only had 260 miles on it,” said Scott. “I had never even used or tried to use race fuel or nitrous before, and the engine was not even broken in yet.”
Convincing his oldest daughter to be his co-pilot, Scott rolled into Gainesville Raceway for Day Zero. “My goal from the start was to finish and run in the elevens, and do it all myself with no outside help other than my daughters helping hold bolts and my youngest daughter’s boyfriend help welding a few things because he was better at it than I was,” Scott said.
Scott ran 12-second passes on his first three days of Sick Week, but on the final day, he clocked his best run, an 11.90 at 115 mph, to complete the week with a 12.54 average. “The last day back in Gainesville, I finally decided I had enough confidence in the truck and myself to use the race fuel and a baby shot of nitrous,” said Scott. The 100 extra horsepower from the nitrous got him the lone 11-second pass. “I was ecstatic! We finished and I got the 11.”
His first experience has led to him to continue driving the truck, as well as racing it, and planning for a return to Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive. “I am hoping to compete again in 2027, and have already submitted my letter of intent,” Scott said. “I want to do everything myself in my carport without help and sensors/computer to make performance ‘old school.’”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Scott Brown.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com