“What is the son but an extension of the father?” ― Frank Herbert, "Dune"

Many of us men take after our fathers, despite our efforts not to. For Keith and Blake Woolam, these two fast cars visually represent their father-son relationship. Dad opted for clean, classic, and fast, while Blake went down-and-dirty and speed-focused, with little thought for cleanliness.

Keith’s Hugger Orange 1972 Chevy Blazer

Keith’s Hugger Orange 1972 full-size Blazer is a twin-turbo, six-speed street machine. Blake’s 1989 S-10 Blazer sits over an entire C6 Corvette chassis. They share the same passion and drive, but each has enough uniqueness to make it its own.

The Pennsylvania father-and-son team built both at home, and both arrived at Beech Bend Raceway ready for the autocross and 3S Challenge at Holley LS Fest East 2026.

“I just always loved the Blazers,” Keith said. “My brother had one when he was in college in this body style. I always wanted one, and then I built mine. Then Blake wanted to build another one that was faster.”

Keith found his Blazer at a Mecum auction. It was an inexpensive two-wheel-drive truck with a stock 350, no top, and a nest of wiring under the dash. Two-wheel-drive Blazers generally bring less money than their four-wheel-drive counterparts, which gave Keith a more affordable starting point.

Although its VIN identifies it as a 1972, the truck wears the complete nose from a 1967 Chevrolet pickup.

“I like the look of it better,” Keith explained.

The Hugger Orange and white paint was already on the truck when he bought it, although Keith later had the top finished to match and added a rollback soft top.

They started with a Texas Speed and Performance “Ruthless Runt” 5.3L/332ci iron short block, and Blake assembled the remainder of the engine using Trick Flow cylinder heads, a BTR Stage 2 camshaft, and a pair of VS Racing 58mm turbochargers.

Behind that is a RAM clutch and Tremec Magnum six-speed, supported by a Tick Performance hydraulic throw-out bearing and master cylinder. The Blazer uses UMI suspension and rides on Forgeline 18x12-inch wheels wrapped in 345-series tires at all four corners. Neither guy runs inner fenders, and they did some “massaging” to get the massive wheels to fit.

Holley Dominator EFI manages the engine, with a Holley digital dash displaying the important information inside. Keith and Blake chose the Dominator for its expansion potential, even though their current combinations could have operated with a Terminator X Max.

“The Dominator had tons of inputs and outputs,” Blake said. “They also have traction control and some other features.” This winter, they plan to experiment with the Dominators' traction-control possibilities.

Shop Holley EFI Dominator ECUs here.

Running matching Holley systems also gives them common parts and knowledge between the two trucks. Keith joked that he would sacrifice components from his Blazer if Blake needed them while running well.

Keith and Blake performed nearly all the work themselves. A friend handled the wiring, and they left the paintwork unchanged from how they found both trucks.

LS Fest East 2026 marked Keith’s first visit to the event and his first attempt at the 3S Challenge. He was new to 3S, but not autocross. The Blazer had already spent roughly three years competing at events including UMI King of the Mountain and Summit Autocross Week.

Blake’s S-10 Blazer On A C6 Corvette

Blake originally co-drove his father’s full-size Blazer. He’s fast, and Dad saw his potential. Blake qualified for the UMI King of the Mountain, but at the time, their truck was broke.

Dad was determined to support his son. “I was like, ’ You’re making that race,” said Keith. So they bought a C6 Corvette, hoping to sell it in the Spring. “That was the cheapest kind of thing we found that was decent to go out there and run that day.”

Blake had been wanting to build his own truck, with his eyes set on an S-10 Blazer. He found a 1989 four-wheel-drive example in Idaho and hauled it home to Pennsylvania.

“It was a $2,000 truck, and I spent three grand in fuel to get it back,” Blake laughed.

The four-wheel-drive body created an immediate problem because the commonly available two-wheel-drive S-10 suspension components wouldn’t fit.

“You can’t buy all them parts for what the car’s going to be worth,” Keith said.

Their solution was straightforward, at least in theory.

“We decided it would be cheaper and more fun just to cut the Corvette apart and throw the Corvette under the truck,” Blake said.

The Corvette’s approximately 106-inch wheelbase was roughly six inches longer than the original S-10 Blazer’s. Blake cut the wheel openings and added flares, positioning the body where the Corvette’s bumper support and the Blazer’s core support naturally dictated.

“Where it is, is where it needed to be,” he said.

Most of the original Blazer floor remains, although Blake fabricated a new center section around the Corvette transaxle. The C6 donated its suspension, Viking Performance coilovers, Z06 brakes, and RPM-built transmission and differential.

Shop Holley EFI digital dashes, gauges, and harnesses here.

The Corvette already had its naturally aspirated 408ci LS-based engine when they bought it. Running 13.5:1 compression on E85, it produces approximately 590 horsepower at the wheels. A Holley Dominator and Holley Pro Dash control and monitor the combination.

Like Keith’s truck, Blake’s rides on Forgeline 18x12-inch wheels, although he wears 335-series tires. It also carries one of the paddock’s more creative comfort upgrades: a self-contained 12-volt rooftop air conditioner intended for a semi truck. Four screws, two nuts, and an electrical quick-disconnect let you remove the unit before the Blazer goes into the trailer. “It started out as a joke,” Blake admitted. “Then the more I thought about it, I was like, ‘You know what? Screw it. I’m doing it.’”

The joke works. Blake finished third in Summit Autocross Week in 2026 and returned to the King of the Mountain shootout, improving on his previous performance.

At LS Fest East, the two Blazers represented different versions of the same idea. Keith’s full-size truck combines classic styling, twin-turbo LS power, and a manual transmission. Blake’s compact Blazer uses Corvette engineering, naturally aspirated power, and plenty of home fabrication.

The common thread is the time they spend building and racing together.

“We’re having a blast,” Blake said. “It’s always a good time.”

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