10 October 2016 Ennis, TX- When the 2017 NHRDA Hot Shot's Secret Diesel Drag Racing Series schedule came out, two time defending Sportsman National Champion, Scott McKinstry, had one goal in mind - he wanted the three-peat!

McKinstry, who lives in Haltom City, Texas located just outside of Ft. Worth, knew he would have a fight on his hands if he wanted to become the three time NHRDA Sportsman National Champion and he was ready for that fight.

When the season started at the Desert Diesel Nationals presented by Strictly Diesel, McKinstry would have to start the season without his race truck which was still being worked on at G & J Diesel's shop in Billings, Montana. But luckily rental car agencies have diesel trucks as Scott was there in Arizona with a rented '17 Ford which he took to the semi-finals.

McKinstry then flew out to Sacramento and took his rental rig to the final round where he defeated local racer Russ Wullenwaber. Scott and his Nitrous Outlet team left the Nor Cal Diesel Nationals with the win and the National Points lead.

When the NHRDA headed East to the Texas Diesel Nationals and the Oklahoma Diesel Nationals McKinstry used those events to gain valuable points over his fellow competitors in the Sportsman class with his rental trucks.

Scott finally got his race truck back at the Diesels on the Mountain in Denver, Colorado. He went a few rounds before having some mechanical issues but he was able to extend his points lead. Just like when he picked up a few more rounds at the Midwest Truckin' Nationals and the Rocky Mountain Diesel Nationals presented by Industrial Injection.

At the Big Sky Truck Fest presented by G & J Diesel, McKinstry broke in the first round putting on the pressure going to the NHRDA World Finals where everyone would get double points.

At the World Finals McKinstry won the 1st round and put all the pressure on the two racers chasing him (James Erwin and Justin Rosentreter). Rosentreter bowed out in the first round leaving it down to McKinstry and Erwin.

When McKinstry lost in the second round all he could do was sit and watch and hope for the best. McKinstry knew that Erwin would need to go to the final round to have any chance of winning the National Championship. But that didn't stop him from pacing around the starting line watching as Erwin lost in the 2nd round. Scott McKinstry was now the first NHRDA Sportsman driver to 3-peat as National Champion.

"It is hard no matter what. You gotta travel all over to get this. It's just not easy," McKinstry said when asked how it feels to win another National Championship.

He went on to thank all of his sponsors that have helped him throughout this season, G & J Diesel, Nitrous Outlet, Monkey Shine, Wright Bros. Customs and Jimmy Pressure's Roofing.

McKinstry does plan to attack the NHRDA Sportsman class again next season as he will be looking for National Championship #4.