In 2023, Dirt Modified racer Al Hejna drove his race car to the United States Racing Association Modified track championship at Mason City Motor Speedway, in Mason City, Iowa. Chevrolet Performance’s LS-based CT525 racing crate engine powered his race car.

Racer Al Hejna was an early adopter of the CT525 crate engine and quickly found it was a capable performer. He has used several over the years, running each for two seasons. That’s approximately 80 full-throttle races.

Al Hejna’s private racing effort is a family affair, with his daughter Madee serving as the crew chief and sole crew member. He says lower maintenance requirements with the CT525 crate engine help keep the team’s focus on other important aspects of competition.

Al Hejna is a second-generation racer who has been collecting checkered flags on dirt tracks for more than 40 years. He’s been racing Modifieds since the early-Nineties, competing in most of the events on the United States Modified Touring Series schedule.

The CT525 is based on Chevrolet Performance’s LS3 6.2-liter engine and adapted for circle track racing with forged aluminum pistons, a high-lift roller camshaft, upgraded rod bolts, a six-quart racing oil pan and more. It is rated at 533 horsepower and 477 lb.-ft. of torque.