Ha ha, tell that to Audi, they really need to know, their R10 (which is a diesel) lost the LeManns by how many laps? Oh wait, it didn't, in fact it came in 1st by a large margin.
Diesels have enormous advantages over gas engines:
1. No risk of pre-detonation, regardless of cylinder pressures, which means you can force in as much air as the block and internals can handle. No need to increase octane or advance the timing.
Thats because the A/F ratio is waaaay different in a diesel compared to petrol. 12 PSI may be a lot for a mustang, but 40 PSI+ is pretty common among trucks. Meaning you need HARD F/I to get them going. A supercharger wouldn't be able to push them to that limit, meaning turbos are the only way to go. Instead of having a choice between Supercharger, Turbo, and nitrous. You only have turbo. Sure you can start slapping on multiple turbos, but at that point your getting light in the wallet. Look how badly diesel cars suck. Golf TDI for example. Expensive, underpowered...
2. The Diesel cycle is more fuel efficient, because the fuel burns as it enters the chamber, as opposed to being ignited from a single point and spreading outwards as gas engines do. Diesel fuel also has more energy per unit than gasoline.
Diesel is also the most expensive of daily fuels. Yes, it's cheap now. But when gas becomes an issue again you'll see $5+ diesel prices. Given the current trend of "going green" diesel won't be popular among the hard left wing. And I'm fairly sure diesels produce more pollution. Yeah, none of us care. But some diehard hippy in his Prius do...
3. Diesels run much cooler, thus can be pushed much harder before reaching the same temperatures of a gas engine producing less power.
They also run much shorter powerbands. Instead of a 8000 RPM engine that can handle revs to the moon, you get a 4000 RPM engine.
4. Diesels are torque engines, producing far more torque than any gas engine of the same horsepower, and we all know what Shelby said.
Yes yes torque wins races horsepower sells cars.
Not quite 18 seconds, and not a gas engine.
Not bad for an 8000 pound truck.