Dubbin Motorsports enters Norwalk looking to reestablish the performance baseline that delivered a Wally and Ice Cream Scoop at the event three seasons ago.
The team has a strong history at Norwalk. In 2023, the DMP Awnings – Kentex Roofing backed team delivered a near-flawless performance at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals, securing its first NHRA National Event victory in Top Alcohol Dragster.
Most recently, the team skipped the Chicago NHRA stop after failing to close the performance gap at the Charlotte 4‑Wide Nationals, where four qualifying sessions and first‑round eliminations showed the car was still a tenth off the leaders. Wholesale tune-up changes and a power-plant swap produced no measurable gains, forcing bold action from team owner Dean Dubbin.
The experienced team shifted focus to a full mechanical audit at its Minnesota shop. Engine combinations, cylinder heads, ignition components, fuel‑system components, wiring, and chassis elements were torn down and inspected.
“We spent days tearing down all our engines, every one down to bare blocks,” said Dubbin regarding the extensive process. “We disassembled all six sets of cylinder heads and checked everything. We also inspected every component on the car, from the ignition to the fuel system, and all the wiring. We looked at everything on the car to make sure everything was exactly the same and functioning as it should. It was a lot of work, but we have everything inspected and ready to run.”
Dubbin added that the inspection did locate issues affecting reliability and consistency.
“I’m glad we found the things we did, it may explain some of the inconsistency in the car.”
“Fortunately, we didn’t find any major issues, but we did find some things that could have been creating problems from time to time,” added driver Kirk Wolf. “We have all the engines and clutch components fresh and ready to go, and I think we are back on track to competing for race wins.”
Wolf said the team intends to return to the tune‑up philosophy used during its previous Norwalk win and noted the track’s positive history for the program.
“I love the track in Norwalk,” Wolf said. “The Bader family knows how to make everyone feel welcome at their track. I am excited because we do run well there each year, and I feel like we will be back running at the top of the field starting there.”
Wolf also said that the extended break has the crew fired up to get back to Norwalk, where the track’s signature ice‑cream tradition is part of the experience.
“MOOSE TRACKS is the only flavor to get!” Wolf added with a grin.
Things rarely go as planned in racing, with final preparations for the Norwalk race interrupted when a tornado struck the team’s shop near Little Falls, Minnesota, tearing away a section of the roof and scattering debris for more than 1,000 feet. No one was injured, and repairs began immediately.
Dubbin said the tornado couldn’t have come at a worse time, blindsiding him and the team already grinding through the final preparations for a pivotal race weekend in Norwalk.
“We had just moved everything and had cleaned the shop from top to bottom, and wouldn’t you know, a day later, part of the roof was gone, and the shop was a mess again,” said Dubbin. “But we are all thankful that no one was hurt. Our roofing guys were here the next day and did a great job getting us fixed up. We got everything cleaned up and the trailer loaded, and we’ll be on the road to Norwalk early in the week.
“After all that, it’s time to get us a diamond Wally and the famous Ice Cream Scoop from Norwalk.”
This story was originally published on June 24, 2026. 
The post Dubbin Motorsports Returns to Norwalk Hungry for A Diamond Wally And Another Norwalk Ice Cream Scoop first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
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