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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Intellitronix LED Digital Gauge Panel for ’73–’87 Chevy/GMC Trucks
Upgrade your square-body dash game with the ultimate blend of modern precision and classic truck aesthetics. If your ride is a ’73-’87 Chevy or GMC and you’re ready to swap out that outdated cluster, this digital panel means business.
1175 HP
This engine, and others like it, has opened up a brand-new chapter in the ever-evolving, wild world of Chevrolet power. By design it has a bore and stroke of 4.60 inches by 4.25 inches and Big Chief II heads, which are about 2 inches taller, that feature oval-shaped intake ports. This, they say, is for maximum cylinder filling. Years ago, creative racers would angle-mill heads to arrive at the desired combustion chamber size and to improve the valve angle in combination with the incoming intake flow. These heads are nicknamed “11-degree” heads, as they have been designed with a built-in 11-degree angle right out of the box. There’s no angle milling needed here. A special valvetrain is necessary, along with longer stem valves. Quarter Mile Performance feels that these heads are worth 200 additional horsepower over the very best “shorter” heads.
HPX 2026 Puts Education in the Driver’s Seat of the Automotive Industry
The High Performance Expo isn’t just coming back in 2026—it’s doubling down on what made the inaugural event hit so hard in the performance aftermarket world. HPX 2026 has officially unveiled a stacked education lineup for this year’s show in Charlotte, North Carolina, bringing together shop owners, racers, manufacturers, builders, executives, and industry disruptors under one roof for three days of high-octane networking and next-level learning.
Spotlighter
Honoring a Legend
ARP Pays Tribute to George Poteet at the 75th Grand National Roadster Show
The 75th Annual Grand National Roadster Show went down from January 31 to February 2, 2025, and for those who live and breathe speed, this one hit different. ARP Racing Products turned their booth into a full-blown tribute to land speed legend George Poteet, who passed away last year, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photography by Scott Killeen
The Grand National Roadster Show
The Grand National Roadster Show is the indoor car show. The one that’s been setting the bar for 75 years. Held at the Pomona Fairplex, it’s the place where hot rods, customs, muscle cars, and everything cool with wheels come together under one roof. This year, amidst the insane builds and rolling artwork, the tribute to Poteet stood out—not just as a remembrance, but as a reminder of what’s possible when you push the envelope.
Remembering George Poteet
If you know anything about speed, you know George Poteet wasn’t just another guy in the game—he was the guy. A true racer, a visionary, and a flat-out speed freak in the best possible way. The man behind the legendary Speed Demon 715, Poteet wasn’t about the talk—he was about setting records and making history. That car? Fastest piston-engine, wheel-driven land speed car in the world. That’s not just fast—that’s history in motion.
The Speed Demon 715
ARP brought out the big guns for this tribute, giving fans a close-up look at the Speed Demon 715. This isn’t just any car—it’s the pinnacle of land speed engineering. A machine that cracked the 400-mph barrier and shattered more records than any other in its class. Standing next to it, you could almost feel the salt beneath your feet and hear the roar of the turbo V8 screaming across Bonneville. It was a moment for every gearhead who ever dreamed of pushing the limits.
Why It Mattered
George Poteet wasn’t just a racer; he was an inspiration. His dedication, his drive, and his willingness to push beyond what was thought possible made him a legend. The folks at ARP knew it, and that’s why this tribute mattered. It wasn’t just about looking back—it was about celebrating the kind of relentless passion that moves the entire industry forward.
Keeping the Legacy Alive
For those who made it to the ARP booth, it wasn’t just about paying respects—it was about being part of something bigger. Poteet’s legacy isn’t just in the records he set, but in the spirit he embodied. And if this show proved anything, it’s that true speed demons never fade—they just keep inspiring the next wave of racers to go even faster.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Speed Demon
A webpage dedicated to Speed Demon 715, the fastest piston engine/wheel driven car in the world.
