Frank Webb and Evan Uerkwitz Thrash to Get Their 7-Second Rides Ready for Sick Michigan Miles – Will Either Challenge for the Overall Title Despite Rolling in Untested?
After attending several drag and drive events, Evan Uerkwitz and Frank Webb have been burning the midnight oil in an effort to get their 7-second rides ready in time for next week’s Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil.
Although both rides have clocked several 7-second passes on the quarter-mile format, and been in the running for class wins, will either of them overcome recent changes and contend for the overall title at Sick Michigan Miles?
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Both Uerkwitz and Webb have competed in several Sick The Magazine events, and both started at the 2023 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive in the Pro Street class. Their closest event came at the 2024 Sick Summer Presented by Motion Raceworks, where the Chevy of Uerkwitz and the Ford of Webb battled it out for the Pro Street class title.
After having issues at the beginning of the week getting his tune-up on par, Webb got quicker each day. On Day Five, the Fairmont of Webb carded a 7.57 pass, and a resulting 8.32 average got the win over the 8.40 average of Uerkwitz.
Uerkwitz has been missing in action thus far for the 2025 season, making some changes to the ’79 Chevrolet Malibu, including a new engine build, and switching the car from his traditional slicks to drag radials.
Webb is coming off a tough outing at this year’s Sick Summer Presented by Motion Raceworks, where an accident on June 17th on route from Great Lakes Dragaway to Cordova Dragway. Although Webb and his co-pilot came out unscathed, the damage to the car was too much to continue.
We recently spoke to both competitors about the changes to their rides, current status, and why they put Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil on their ‘to-do’ list for 2025:
“We’ve added a rear set of TBM Brakes, narrowed the rear axle housing, put on double beadlock rims, and a 315 tire,” said Uerkwitz on his changes. The engine work has been the big hold-up for Uerkwitz, with cylinder heads pushing his timetable nearly into overtime.
“The damage from Sick Summer was a little more than we thought,” said Webb. “But we got it all back together (on Friday, August 8th).” Webb also is running a different combination from last year’s Sick Summer. “We’re hoping the engine makes it through the week,” he said. “Bringing extra parts just in case; even overnighted some bearings from Summit Racing Equipment.”
What do the competitors think of their chances on a top spot, and a coveted 2026 Sick Week early entry spot? “The car will definitely be faster on radials, and I think it’ll look better too,” Uerkwitz said. “Running a slick car with no wheelie bars is a tough proposition, and honestly, I don’t think the car was performing as well as it could have.
“At the last Hot Rod Drag Week, we went 7.84 at 178 mph, and averaged 7.95 at 174 mph. I don’t really know who all is signed up, but it doesn’t really matter, because the goal is to finish the week.”
“The Fairmont runs 4.90s easily; we think it’s capable of more,” said Webb. “4.90s was with a 60 foot of 1.3x. We’ve had 1.20 (60 foot times), so it should pick up.”
Why did they pick Sick Michigan Miles for a drag and drive event this year?
“I really enjoy the ‘events’ that Tom (Bailey) puts on,” Webb said. “I have yet to do an eighth-mile event, and wanted to do both Michigan Miles and Sick in the Smokies this year. Michigan should be really nice this time of year, with the possibility of some good air. Sick in the Smokies is in my backyard.”
“There are a bunch of tracks I’ve never raced at (on Michigan Miles),” said Uerkwitz. “I’ve been to Milan before, and Stanton, but I’ve never been to Northern Michigan Dragway or Ubly. I’m a Midwest guy, so it’s all fairly close to home. That’s one of the biggest reasons I’m doing it—it’s only about an eight-hour drive.”
Can either Frank Webb or Evan Uerkwitz roll in and challenge for the overall title, and the coveted Sick The Mag orange helmet, at Sick Michigan Miles? Come join us for a week of fun and racing action, plus the Woodward Dream Cruise, as we invade Michigan for the Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil event, August 10-17th! CLICK HERE for more details!
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine, 1320 Video, Evan Uerkwitz and Frank Webb.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com