Part 2 Exclusive Interview {Kelsie "MissMaxx" Epp} Author: Nikki Day

Make sure to read the whole blog
to learn how to win tickets to the Ultimate Callout Challenge This May 2018!!!!

Pictured Left- Blackmaxx, Center- Greenmax, Right- Babymaxx

As promised from my previous blog post [Thoughts on the Diesel Industry, by Women In It], here is [PART 2]! Originally, I interviewed MissMaxx herself, Kelsie Epp, but after reading her answers for [Part 1], I was inspired to do a blog post just on her. Now, if some of you don’t know who Kelsie Epp is, I recommend you pay attention to this blog. Not only are you going to read about her competitive career, but you’re going to learn about what it means to be a competitor.
Here are some of her stats:
Name: Kelsie “MissMaxx” Epp
From: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
Trucks:
“Blackmaxx”-
​03' Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax 611 RWHP Stock Turbo (Bracket Racing Truck)
“Greenmax”-
02' GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax- 1400HP+ Triple Turbo (Fully Built Race/Dyno/Sled)
“Babymaxx”-
 16' GMC Canyon 2.8L Duramax- Deleted, EFI Live Tuned (Daily Driver)
Competitions she’s been in: 
Diesel Power Challenge (2016), NHRDA Edmonton Diesel Shootout (2009-present), various dyno competitions and burnout competitions, Alligator’s events, various NHRDA races including World Finals twice.

Diesel Doll has permission from Alligator Performance to use Youtube video shown! We do not own the rights to this video! Can follow their channel by clicking HERE

 
Now that you have an idea how serious of a competitor Kelsie Epp is, let’s continue. When I got first got in touch with Kelsie Epp about doing an interview, I’ll be honest, I was nervous. I knew who she was, I knew she was a badass Duramax girl, so yeah it was nerve wracking. I mean come on, if you’ve ever met someone famous… or that well known… well, you can’t blame me. She was so kind towards me and Diesel Doll is honored that she agreed to do our interviews via Google Forms. I didn’t know what to expect- I didn’t know if she would just do the bare minimum or what. I knew she was a busy woman, working full time as a Gas Plant Operator, as well as getting her truck ready for the Ultimate Call Out Challenge this May. I was shocked how quickly I got her interviews back, but after reading them… I was at a loss for words.
 
“My trucks are a symbol of all my hard work and passion combined. A lot of long days taken away from my family to afford building these trucks, plus the long hours working on them with friends that became family. They are an outward expression of my heart and everything that I love. Every build is very specific to my tastes-.” Kelsie answered to the question (What does your truck mean to you?). If you remember from my last blog post [PART 1], her answer isn’t so far off from the others that were interviewed. Just read what else she has to say to this question, “My black 03 is a very special heirloom that was originally my grandpa’s truck. It’s seen many different looks since I first bought it from him in 07’, it’s really a living palette of my changes in tastes and the evolution of modern diesel truck looks over the last 11 years. It’ll continue to be updated and kept in perfect condition to be passed on someday.”
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Educational Information recommended by
Kelsie Epp

"Eric Merchant for Duramax info, he has some really good
YouTube videos. Diesel performance podcasts have a lot of info from experts I’ve really enjoyed them!"

​So, what made Kelsie Epp get into diesel trucks? Well as [Epp] mentioned before, her grandpa’s 2003 Duramax that she bought in 07’ was the start of it. “When I was fourteen, my Grandpa bought our first Duramax (Blackmaxx). We used it to tow our 5th wheel camper on all kinds of summer adventures. Back then it was the cats-ass compared to the 6.5L diesel we had before it, so I was in love…” She then went off to college which the truck had some minor mechanical issues that needed to get repaired at a local diesel shop. Kelsie says, “That shop just happened to specialize in Duramax performance, and raced them. Brian Spooner took me for a ride in his souped up 02’ GMC Duramax (probably pushing 600hp back in the day) and I was totally hooked on high powered, fast diesels.”  I honestly couldn’t help but smile at her answer. I may have been nervous interviewing Kelsie, but reading these answers made me understand her humble beginnings. It’s proof that everyone has to start somewhere.
 
Kelsie’s passion and drive started by building [Blackmaxx] to do bracket racing at the drag strip, which is still Kelsie’s favorite competition to compete in. She explains that the guys from J&R Automotive were responsible for getting her into the Duramax performance scene and invited her out to the racetrack with her stock Duramax. “In the beginning, I got hooked very fast on the diesel drag racing. I was always inspired by Brian Spooner’s white stroker Duramax and I loved watching it go faster and faster, year after year.” It’s no surprise, with that kind of inspiration, that she has now won an IHRA Ironman, placed 4th in the Diesel Power Challenge (2016), and now has qualified to compete in this year’s Ultimate Callout Challenge in May 2018. Her goal is to finish the UCC with her truck intact, make 1600HP, and beat Charlie Keeter’s 6.0L. Kelsie’s goals don’t stop there though, “As for bracket racing, I have my IHRA Ironman now, so I’d like to shoot for an NHRA Wally and then eventually a NHRDA World Champion title.”

​There were only a few  small differences in the answers compared to the other’s I interviewed for [Part1], and this was one of them, “I absolutely love how no matter where we run into trouble, there are 10x more people in the industry ready and willing to do anything to help out. I haven’t come across anyone that wouldn’t willingly be open to giving advice or a helping hand even if they have no idea who I am. A quick call out to FB and everyone is tagging people until everything is sorted out and questions are answered. It sure feels like we belong to a very large family of diesel people in the industry.” Now her answer was a little different from some of the other's interviewed, but not much. Just because there are few people out there that think it’s cute to downplay someone on social media... I promise there will be people willing to help out. Like I said before, you just need to find the right groups, forums, or pages to be a part of. Have some courage to speak up though and ask for help. I get it, it can be scary, but essentially, that is why forums, pages like Diesel Doll, and etc are for!
 

​I asked Kelsie what changed in the industry from when she first started out in 2009 to currently. “When I first started, a 12 sec truck was FAST and 1000hp was almost unheard of. Every year they keep getting faster and the horsepower numbers have skyrocketed. The industry has grown equally as fast and definitely has attracted some negative attention with the growth.” Kelsie answered. This made me think about the question from my [PART 1] blog post, when I asked everyone what they thought the diesel industry lacks. Just read what Kelsie says next, “Newer people coming into the industry as diesel truck enthusiast, unfortunately sometimes lack the respect and knowledge of how much it’s taken die hard competitors to get where they are. The years of hard work, research, breaking, fixing, time spent in shops, etc. One does not just become Lavon Miller or Shawn Baca because you have a big pocket book… the duties these people have paid to make this kind of power is absolutely beyond what anyone can imagine just starting out. It’s easy to sit behind a computer or in the grandstands and say how things should’ve been done, what parts they should’ve used, etc. What those keyboard warriors and newcomers don’t comprehend is the dedication these competitors have spent their entire lives and every penny to furthering the diesel industry.”
 
I can see where she’s coming from. If it was easy, everyone would compete in the major diesel truck events. For someone like Kelsie Epp, being a part of the industry for 9 years, I think she knows what she’s talking about when it comes to competition. I had to ask her what changed for her personally, when she first started competing to now. “I’ve just gained, confidence in myself when competing and that’s just driven my passion further into my soul.” She also said she’s learned so much through her journey building her trucks and how she loves sharing everything she can with people new to diesel performance or racing. “It’s really heart filling to help new people succeed in competition. The people I’ve met have changed my whole life over and over again, they’ve inspired me and pushed me to keep challenging myself. They’ve become my family and support system, I wouldn’t change that for the world. They all have a huge place in my heart forever.”
 
So, what do I think about MissMaxx? I think Kelsie’s very humble and a doll at heart, though she’s just recently learned about Diesel Doll. Don’t get me wrong as a competitor she’s as tough and badass as her trucks, but to me, she holds a lot of Diesel Doll values; humbleness, generosity, work ethic, and passion. The time she took to answer all my questions and the heartfelt, genuine manner she answered with is inspiring. It honestly felt like I got to know this woman, not only as MissMaxx, but on a personal level. I could tell how much she’s poured into her trucks following her career, but the amount of passion and heart she lives by is something anyone can get inspired by. I had to ask her what it’s like competing.

“Competing feeds my soul, my passion. It’s all that hard work and travelling for that one dyno pull or pass down the track, that might not even happen once we get there. It’s the friends that turn into family, sleepless nights, fixing the truck, and driving. It isn’t necessarily just the thrill of those couple seconds of fame, it’s the lifestyle, dedication, and hoping it all pays off.” -Kelsie Epp.

If you’re a Duramax owner and you’re wondering where to start, pay attention. I asked Kelsie what she recommends getting done to a truck before someone starts competing in truck pulls, dyno runs, drags, etc. These answers are based on a stock Duramax, since she admits that all she really knows, “First- even on a daily driver stock truck, a FASS system is a must. They’re miracle workers for your whole fuel system even if they don’t add power, they are a necessity. It is a supporting mod for when you add more power. Secondly- Air Intake and Exhaust, Third- Tie Rod sleeves or upgraded big tie rods, Fourth- EFI Live tuning from a REPUTABLE tuner, not usually more than 60 HP on a stock transmission unless you’re ready to dish out $5,000-$8,000 on a built trans. After the built trans there are lots of directions you can go! Have fun!” 

Advice 
​From MissMaxx: 

“Just do it. There’s nothing to lose, and only a huge amazing family of diesel enthusiasts out there to gain. Everyone will be more than willing to help you advance in the industry. Get ahold of me and I will answer any questions you have and give you the motivation you need!” ​

Diesel Doll was given permission by Alligator Performance  for use of their youtube video. 
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Photos were provided by Kelsie Epp. We do not own the rights to these photos. 

   **BIG NEWS!! SEE BELOW!!**

   
That's right! After doing this blog I reached out to Chris and Michelle with DPI Expo and we are SO BLESSED they donated TEN, yes TEN tickets for us to giveaway to our community!! These tickets are 3 DAY WEEKEND PASSES. We wanted to give ya'll a chance to watch Kelsie Epp, Dmitri Millard, Lavon Miller, and so many others! The 2018 UCC event is May 4th, 5th, and 6th, located at the Lucas Oil            Raceway in Indianapolis, IN. 

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​HERE'S HOW TO ENTER FOR THE FIRST GIVEAWAY!!
1. LIKE and SHARE the Original Blog Post on Facebook
2. YOU MUST tag two friends in the Facebook comments of post.
(To be FAIR we will check to see if all of this is done!)
3. BONUS ENTRY: Comment on this blog post at the top by the title! 

A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE UCC AND DPI EXPO
for the tickets!!!

Checkout the UlitmateCalloutChallenge.com and DPIExpo.com for more information about this years ULTIMATE CALL OUT CHALLENGE! 



               

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CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE EVENT TICKETS!