The Ford F-150 has long been America’s best-selling truck, but few would imagine it tearing up a mountain course alongside sports cars and performance sedans. That’s exactly what happened when Steven Baczuk brought his heavily modified 2020 F-150 to the 2025 West Virginia Hillfest, where the supercharged pickup stunned spectators and competitors alike.
In its first official outing, the 4,400-pound truck finished 15th overall out of more than 150 entrants in the Street Class category—a field typically dominated by lighter, purpose-built cars. The result placed it just a few seconds behind Baczuk’s own 2024 BMW M3 AWD, underscoring just how capable the F-150’s setup has become.
At the heart of the truck is a Gen 3 Coyote V8 topped with a Gen 5 Whipple supercharger, tuned to produce roughly 700 horsepower at the wheels while running on E85 fuel. Power is delivered through an all-wheel-drive system, giving the truck immense traction on the steep, twisting hillclimb course.
Performance modifications extend far beyond the powertrain. The F-150 features massive 16-inch brakes with six-piston calipers, a fully functional aerodynamic kit producing around 650 pounds of downforce, and custom suspension tuning. The setup allows the truck to stay composed at high speeds while putting its muscle to the ground efficiently.
Despite the impressive debut, Baczuk believes there’s more performance to unlock. The rear suspension, originally adapted from a drag racing configuration, is next on his list for improvement. Planned upgrades include higher-rate front coils and a dedicated rear coilover setup aimed at further stabilizing the truck under extreme load.
This build demonstrates how far creative engineering and persistence can take a platform once known primarily for towing and hauling. With track-level aerodynamics, supercar power, and serious racing intent, Baczuk’s “Hillclimb Hauler” proves that even a full-size pickup can dominate the curves—and the competition.
