Eric LaFerriere and Duy Bui reset six‑cylinder drag benchmarks, culminating in a 5.448‑second, 266.11‑mph quarter‑mile on May 28 at US 131 Motorsports Park.

The Rhode Island–Texas pairing campaigns a white Lexus LC500 nicknamed “Sake Bomb,” running outlaw doorslammer trim on 275‑mm rubber and powered by Toyota’s 2JZ straight‑six.

Momentum built at the 2025 HalTech World Cup Finals, where they eclipsed long‑standing six‑cylinder eighth‑ and quarter‑mile marks, surpassing records previously held by Jesus Melendez and Arnaldo Santiago.

They then targeted Shakedown XXIII at US 131 Motorsports Park, a combined Radial Outlaw and Mid‑West Pro Modified showcase, to validate pace under different event conditions.

On May 27, LaFerriere established the eighth‑mile speed record with 3.691 seconds at 210.58 mph, displacing a mark that had stood for seven years.

He improved decisively the next day, delivering 3.648 seconds at 213.57 mph, resetting both eighth‑mile elapsed time and speed benchmarks.

Seeking a complete picture, the team requested a full quarter‑mile attempt. Approval from operator Jason Peterson and promoter Donald Long enabled a carefully managed pass.

LaFerriere clocked 0.949 seconds to sixty feet, 3.630 at 215 mph to half‑track, and 4.61 at 249.17 mph to 1,000 feet, finishing 5.448 at 266.11 mph.

The package centres on a billet‑block 2JZ with a stock Toyota cast head, GSC valvetrain components, Innovators West harmonic balancer, and a single 111‑mm Precision “Next Gen” turbo.

Drive is through a Liberty six‑speed with a QuickDrive converter, while traction comes from Hoosier 36‑inch slicks, aligned with outlaw doorslammer configurations.

The result places the Lexus among the fastest turbocharged doorslammers and the tenth quickest passenger car recorded, sharpening focus on class balance and forthcoming rule interpretations.

Drag Illustrated’s Wes Buck has signalled interest in Pro Mod participation, suggesting revised class parameters this winter to benchmark the LC500 against established V8 entrants.

The contrast between compact six‑cylinder efficiency and traditional V8 muscle mirrors debates around F1 engine power split philosophies and recent FIA power unit changes.

LaFerriere and Bui believe further time is available with a less conservative approach, making additional record attempts likely as event calendars and rulesets evolve.

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Miles Carter

Miles Carter covers grassroots and regional drag-strip action, from bracket racing to street-legal shootouts. His event previews and performance-upgrade guides keep local racers up to speed on timing-slip trends, tire tech, and weekend race highlights.