There are very few people within the no prep world that walk softly and carry a big stick more than Michael Henson and his Plan B racing team. From being a small engine shop builder to being on TV, to being a well-respected drag racer, Michael Henson is certainly not a one-trick pony. From engine builder, to driver, and everything in between, Michael really is on top of his game and his craft.

We were able to catch up with Michael earlier this month at his home in the Yukon, Oklahoma. Now I am no stranger to Michael’s car, as I have certainly seen it, along with Michael at the track before. What I did learn though was more about Michael, his thoughts about TV, and more importantly, his engine shop.

Located in the city of Yukon, Michael’s shop is not something that you would associate with a very talented engine builder. That is where you be completely wrong. While the shop is unassuming, with no big come and look at me signs, the work that comes out of the shop is absolutely top-notch, and it shows by those of his clients including himself that rely on his expertise to get them to the winner’s circle. I was really impressed by everything in this shop and his amazing and overwhelming knowledge of everything that is engine building. The things that he taught us would scramble your brain. I was filled with the knowledge that only a seasoned and well-versed engine builder would be able to teach.

The size difference between stock LS and the slugs that go in Bobby Ducote’s engine.

Luckily, talking to Michael about everything that is going on with the world right now, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that his business actually picked up a little bit since the virus outbreak had started. That means that Michael’s clients are making the extended effort to be ready for the beginning of the season, whenever the hell that happens.

Now, what I will say is that Michael was absolutely great to us. He took the time to unload the car, allow us to do a full photoshoot with the car, and even fired it up and proceeded to do a couple of burnouts in the driveway for us. Oh, the smell of burning rubber and race fuel. It was at that moment I realized how badly I was missing the race track and all the senses that become excited while you are there.

I know damn good and well that you want to know everything that there is to know about this badass Vette as well. So let’s start out with who built the car. The chassis was built by Bevis, and it’s a 6.0 cert chassis that keeps Michael safe. While it is all about being safe, it’s also about making ridiculous amounts of horsepower too.

The car started it’s life with a 706 big block and two stages of Speedtech Nitrous on board while competing in NHRA Top Sportsman. In 2015 the car was updated at Bevis with double frame rails and some other needed updates. At the same time, the car went under the knife and the transformation began. This time to a smaller, yet just as dangerous, 522 cubic inch big block Chevy with twin PTE 88’s hanging on and providing the boost. The engine is an in house build of Michael’s, which I would say based on the performance, goes to show that this man is at the top of the food chain when it comes to the quality of the engines that come out of his shop as well.

Sitting atop that 522 monster is a set of 20 degree Trent Townsend ported Dart Heads. Fueling this beast are Billet Atomizer Injectors, along with a FuelTech FT500. Feeding those Atomizer injectors is an Aeromotive fuel pump. All that power is set to a Proformance 2-speed TH400 transmission with a ProTorque converter inside. That then sends the power to the Mark Williams modular rear end and displaces it to the corners, where there are Menscer Motorsports shocks waiting to plant whatever tire it is that Michael has bolted up. And to make sure there are are even less issues, Michael has incorporated the use a a Davis Technology Profiler and other Davis goodies as Mark puts it. Up front on the vette is a set of Lamb struts helping that front end stay where it needs to be.

Speaking of updates, due to rule changes, which TV shows seem to like to do, especially if you aren’t part of the buddy club (my words not Michael’s), the Vette had to endure more changes in 2018. This time it came in the form of having to take a stock roof and quarters from a wrecked 2016 Vette so that they would meet the “appearance” rules set forth for the season. Talk about appearance, look at the beautiful paint on the car that was handled by Performance Auto Paint & Body in OKC. An absolutely stellar job on the color and the finish! All the piping for the turbos and exhaust that is under this paint is all W.A.S.P. piping and exhaust.

To wrap everything in a nice little bow, in 2020 Michael will be concentrating on more local shootouts and no prep events. He did want to give a very big shoutout to not only his wonderful family but also the sponsors and partners that help out along with way.

Performance Auto Paint and body
Aeromotive Fuel Systems
Comp Cams
Bevis Racecraft
Stroud Safety
JMS Chip
Mark Williams
Billet Atomizer
W.A.S.P Fabrication
Kc’s Chassis
Davis Technologies
Mencer Motorsports
Proformance Transmissions
Protorque
Extreme Racing Oil Products
Be Cool Radiators
Precision Turbo
Manton Pushrods
Fueltech
Racetech Pistons

David, Jim, and I would all like to thank Michael and his family for allowing us to stop by on our trip and take some time out of their schedule to let us do this feature and bring it all to you!

Photos by David Hilner and Damon Steinke