Transmission drag oil pan
It looks like it is more like a baffled oil pan system. During hard acceleration the fluid would tend to pool at the back of the pan and could cause the filter to suck air in the front. This pan would keep the pick up fully submerged. Good idea, and every edge counts in competion. Think Smokey Yunick and the things he did...
QUOTES BY SMOKEY YUNICK | A-Z Quotes
I agree that appears to be the theory. On the other hand there are plenty of wheel standing race cars with standard deep sump pans that don't appear to have any problems.
