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Chevrolet Silverado HD Trucks Get NMCA Down The Road

Posted By: Evan J. Smith
Chevrolet Silverado HD Trucks Get NMCA Down The Road
 
By Evan J. Smith
Photography by Kevin DiOssi and courtesy of Chevrolet
 
When the NMCA and NMRA team rolls into a racetrack, the parade is led by a pair of Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD trucks, which are the Official Truck and Tow vehicle of the NMCA Muscle Car Nationals.
 
Racers know the importance of a safe, reliable tow vehicle, that’s why NMCA officials rely on Chevy Silverado 3500HD trucks to haul our Jason Dietsch trailers from event to event. More importantly, the 3500HD trucks do double duty as the NMRA and NMCA safety vehicles. These are called upon in case of an on-track emergency and have been outfitted with the latest cutting-edge safety and rescue equipment.
 
These beautiful machines are seen trackside at each of our NMCA and NMRA venues and they get the job done with excellent power, enhanced interiors and smart technology. Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD trucks are trusted workhorses build on established heavy-duty truck capabilities and, best of all, they look good whether they are rolling down the road or working trackside.
 
“We’ve designed the Silverado HD to be our customers’ favored choice for true truck capability,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Chevrolet. “The enhancements to the 2024 models build on its core strengths to provide an even stronger balance of the design, strength and confidence that makes tackling the hard jobs, including trailering, easier and more convenient than ever.”
 
The 2024 Chevrolet lineup includes 2500HD and 3500HD models in Regular Cab, Double Cab and Crew Cab configurations. Dual-rear-wheel models are available on 3500HD and they support the lineup’s highest trailering capacity: 36,000 pounds. The 2024 Silverado HD is available in Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country trims. ZR2 joins the HD trim lineup for the first time.
 
A walk through the pits at any NMCA race reveals how many racers trust and rely on Chevy trucks. You’ll also find a few in the lanes ready for competition. And anyone who gets behind the wheel will quickly appreciate the power available from the renowned Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel V-8 engine or the gasoline V8.
 
“The construction of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD is rugged and robust providing a secure feel and superb ride when traveling the long miles in between races,” Michael Washington, Racing Operations Manager at Promedia Events, said. “The combination of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD and highly trained rescue personnel should instill the confidence that if an emergency would happen, we will respond with the highest level of preparedness available anywhere,” Washington added.
 
“I have been a Fireman for 22 years and currently work in Queens, New York, in Rescue Company 4. I am trained in many facets of emergency responses including fire, medical, and emergency extrication procedures,” Washington explained. “Responding to many diverse emergencies in New York City has prepared me to assess and coordinate a quick, capable and safe response to any situation that arises on and off track.”
 
Output on the Duramax is 470 hp and an Earth-rotating 975 lb-ft of torque, per SAE J1349 testing. Additional changes and upgrades were designed to produce a more efficient combustion, which enhances overall performance and engineers enhanced low-end torque production by up to 25-percent for improved performance at low speeds or climbing grades and particularly when towing a trailer.
 
The strong Duramax diesel V8 is backed by an Allison 10-speed transmission automatic transmission, and for the first time, the proven Allison 10-speed is now standard equipment for both the Silverado HD’s powertrains: the standard 6.6L V-8 gas engine and the available Duramax turbo-diesel. According to Chevrolet, it replaces the gas engine’s previous six-speed automatic, offering smaller “steps” between the gears, which enables the 6.6L gas engine to hold closer to its peak power for longer periods.
 
When it comes time to tow, the 10-speed configuration puts every single pound-foot of torque to the tires in every gear. In turn, the 2024 Silverado HD’s Gross Combined Weight Rating with the 6.6L gas engine increases to 26,000 pounds, up from 24,000 pounds previously.
 
The transmission’s 10-speed design optimizes grade braking with the gas engine, with the closer gear ratios enabling greater engine-braking control. That, in addition to precise tuning for smooth shifts and quicker downshifts, complements the enhanced feeling of on-demand power, greater control, precision and refinement.
 
There’s no question our NMCA Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD trucks look tough and smart. They are dressed in NMCA and Chevrolet livery and we have them outfitted with the latest safety gear so they can respond quickly and effectively to any situation.
 
The 2024 Silverado HD features a freshened front-end appearance with a new fascia, new headlights, new grille and more. There are C-shaped LED graphic lamps that are inspired by the signature design of the Silverado 1500—while bold, new headlights on LTZ, ZR2 and High Country models feature dual-projector technology. The main and high beams of these new lights are now split into dual functions, and as owner’s approach or depart their 2024 Silverado HD, an animated lighting sequence welcomes or bids them farewell from the truck.
 
Additional exterior updates include standard tow hooks and “CHEVROLET” lettering featured on the hood scoop. Six new exterior colors have been added as well: Sterling Gray, Dark Ash, Radiant Red, Auburn Metallic, Lakeshore Blue Metallic (late availability) and Meteorite Metallic (late availability).
 
Silverado HD’s design continues with breakthrough features and technologies that contribute to its true truck capability. They include the Durabed cargo box that optimizes every square inch for maximum cargo capability—including up to a best-in-class 83.5 cubic feet with the long box—as well as the CornerStep rear bumper, BedSteps, available six-position Multi-Flex tailgate, available 120-volt power outlet, available power tailgate and more.
 
On the inside you’ll find it’s nicely design for people on the go with advanced technology and integration to make you even more efficient whether at work or play.
 
LT, LTZ and High Country models introduce a dramatically redesigned passenger space centered around an all-new instrument panel that houses the segment’s largest infotainment screen: a 13.4-inch-diagonal infotainment1 display. A 12.3-inch-diagonal configurable driver information center complements the new infotainment display. The infotainment screen and other controls are also canted toward the driver, giving the driver more of a “command center” perspective. This ethos pulls directly from the simple and iconic looks the C/K Series trucks set in the 1970s and 1980s.
 
This smarter command center also includes a redesigned wireless phone charger area to reduce distractions and a flow-under console. The latter design provides the spaciousness of a bench seat while retaining the functionality of a center console. Ahead of the driver is an available and configurable head-up display.
 
“It’s a more open-feeling and contemporary interior that passengers will find inviting,” said Phil Zak, executive director of Global Chevrolet Design. “It’s an environment that intentionally puts more at the driver’s fingertips, for a greater feeling of confidence and connection with the vehicle.”
 
 Additional interior updates and upgrades include:
• Fresh screen displays and graphics inspired by the recently refreshed Silverado 1500
• Authentic leather-wrapped surfaces and real wood accents available on certain models
• New center console on LT, LTZ and High Country models that incorporates an available wireless charger4 
• More space for side-by-side cupholders in the console: There is a total of 10 total cupholders available, depending on the model and configuration
• New audio control knobs that help strike an ideal balance between physical and digital controls, along with similar buttons recently introduced in the refreshed Silverado 1500 that allow some popular features to be accessed with a single push
• Climate vents and controls for second-row passengers
• Enhanced hidden storage, including in the console, upper and lower gloveboxes and even a sunglasses holder behind the infotainment screen. 
 
Tow Tested Tough
Whether you’re towing to the track, the lake or your favorite campsite, Chevrolet’s suite of customer-focused trailering technologies will improve the experience with optimal visibility, easier hitching and greater driving comfort when towing a trailer.
 
The Silverado HD makes trailering easier with established available features, including up to 14 unique camera views such as HD Surround Vision and Bed View, an in-vehicle Trailering App. Chevy optimized this suite of available camera views to ensure the 2024 Silverado HD provides the right view in any moment. Every Silverado HD includes a vehicle-specific Trailering Information Label, which lists its unique trailering metrics including the trailering ratings to the max tongue weight, max payload and more. 
Additionally, the max tow package is now available across all Silverado 2500 trims, bolstering the maximum towing capability for the 2500HD series equipped with the 6.6L turbo-diesel V-8 engine to 22,500 pounds.
 
The Silverado HD is designed to make the drive more enjoyable, with new, more intuitive infotainment technologies and an expanded roster of driver awareness technologies. On the infotainment side, Google built-in compatibility enables customers to connect virtually every aspect of their daily lives through Google Assistant, which is available through the infotainment system touchscreen or voice command. With the Google Assistant, it’s easy to send texts, play music, receive directions with Google Maps, adjust vehicle settings and even control smart home devices all hands free. 
 
When it comes to safety and driver assistance technologies, Adaptive Cruise Control is a newly available feature. It complements and bolsters the suite of standard active safety and driver assistance features that includes: 
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Forward Collision Alert
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Lane Departure Warning
• Following Distance Indicator.
 
Livin’ In High Country
High Country is the most expressive and meticulously crafted trim in Chevrolet’s lineup — the 2024 Silverado HD elevates it further. Topping the updates are a new and exclusive Nightshift Blue interior, which includes Jet Black and Umber elements. The cabin also wears new metal “High Country” badges on the center console and “High Country” embroidering on the head restraints, upholstered with unique Ares leather seating surfaces that feature a wingtip pattern. The seats also feature premium fabric piping, while the door panels include fabric piping and trim with authentic open-pore wood. The wood additionally serves as a decorative trim on the upper glovebox. On the exterior, a new High Country exclusive 20-inch bright chrome wheel design is standard.
 
Additional High Country details and standard features include power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with memory and haptic sensors, acid-etched stainless steel speaker grilles for the standard Bose seven-speaker audio system, rain-sensing wipers and wireless charging4 located in the center console.
 
The 2024 Silverado HD High Country trim will also be available with a new Midnight Edition. Available for the first time on the High Country trim, the Midnight Edition darkens the exterior with black chrome accents in the grille and grille bar and swaps in black badging. Black power assist steps complete the look. The Silverado HD High Country Midnight Edition also includes 20-inch, high-gloss black painted wheels as standard, with 22-inch wheels in the same finish available.

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