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Slate Cummings Takes Third Consecutive JEGS All-Stars Crown at the Route 66 Raceway

3 oct. 2013

Slate Cummings recently won his third JEGS All-Star Championship title, putting him in an elite group of thirteen drivers who have walked away from the event victorious at least three times

Slate Cummings and his team recently rolled into Joliet, Illinois with aspirations of what would transpire at the O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals. This wasn't his first career appearance at the Route 66 Raceway. And his performance at this particular venue had been impressive to say the least. In fact, he was hoping to win his third consecutive All-Stars Crown.

Manning a Moser Engineering backed Chevrolet Corvette, Cummings was eager to get the Stock Eliminator class racing underway. Although competition would be tough, with driving greats such as defending world champion, Brad Burton, in the mix of a field of eight. However, Cummings was more than ready to put his racing skills against all drivers, as a win at this event would add to his already impressive resume of accomplishments.

With every run, Cummings came that much closer to earning the prestigious title for the third year. And one could rest assured that tension filled the air when Cummings lines up against Burton in the final round. This was what the sport was all about. Two highly awarded and accomplished drivers going toe to toe till the very end.

When the Christmas Tree glowed green and deemed the race underway Cummings had no intentions of doing anything other than walking away victorious. And upon the final tally, Slate Cummings was deemed the champion.

Slate Cummings and Team Cummings Motorsports recently Rolled into the Route 66 Raceway with high aspirations of moving closer to winning the points race in several NHRA divisions

Upon earning his third JEGS All-Stars championship title, Slate Cummings joined an elite group of drivers who shared his accomplishment. Only 13 drivers had ever walked away from this competition with three wins under their belts. He was revered in a class with all-time racing greats including, Frank Manzo, Rudy Matthews, Pat Austin, Edmond Richardson, Jeff Taylor, Alan Peters, Bob Newberry, Tom Conway, Grant Lewis, Sal Biondo, Tony Bartone, Craig Abbot and Bruno Massell.

Although Slate Cummings' accomplishment was not to be overshadowed, he and the Cummings team had other fish to fry as well. Slate and his teammate, Jody "Cool" Simoneaux, were scheduled to represent their team in the Division-4 of the All-Stars Competition.

Simoneaux would serve as the Division-4 representative, while a victory in last year's competition earned Slate Cummings the "Blocker" slot. Having worked his way to the semi-final round, Simoneaux met up with Brad Burton for the next race. Although he put up a fierce fight, the Cummings team member fell short of a victory.

In regular national event competition, team member Britt Cummings, guided his dragster to a quarterfinal finish in the Super Comp class prior to experiencing a defeat. Racing in the Super Stock division, Slate Cummings also made it to the quarterfinals as well.

Slate Cummings took the win at the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois

With the second half of the season in front of them, Cummings motorsports has high anticipations of how the remainder of 2013 will unfold. Ranked sixth in the Lucas Oil Superstock standing, Slate Cummings is hoping for a championship run.

Cummings and Simoneaux are also both ranked in the top 50 of the Stock Eliminator class as well. When the JEGS event was deemed over, Slate was in second place in the NHRA Division-4 Superstock standings. and his father, Larrry, was holding the 15th spot.

Cummings Motorsports was also well represented in Division-4, as slate was sitting in sixth place, his brother, Britt, was ranked 16th and team member Simoneaux followed closely behind at 17th.

One can rest assured that the Cummings Motorsports crew is acutely aware that future success will depend a great deal upon keeping their engines in perfect running order. That in mind, they depend upon K&N products to ensure the internal components of their engines remain contaminant free.

"Maintenance is huge," ensured Slate Cummings. it's the key factor of racing." Referring to K&N products he continued, "We run their oil and air filters on our race cars, and run their air filters on our 18-wheelers too. K&N products are the best in the business. When you run the best products and the best equipment, you have a better shot at winning.

"They Key to success throughout the remainder of the season will basically be ensuring our equipment remains well maintained and we are mentally focused," explained Cummings. "Fans can expect to see us going up and down the track with six race cars and striving to win."

Related K&N News Articles about Slate Cummings and Slate Cummings Motorsports: Slate Cummings Doubles in Tulsa Winning NHRA Division 4 Super Stock and Stock; Monumental Season for K&N's Slate Cummings Continues with Stock Final Round Appearance at Dallas; Slate Cummings Seals Up NHRA All-Stars Berth in Multiple Classes with Latest Stock Win; K&N Super Stock Racer Slate Cummings Earns His First NHRA Wally at Spring Nationals

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NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Racer Cole Custer Victorious at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway

2 oct. 2013

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race North American Power 100 Delivers Side by Side Racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

When the NASCAR spotlight shines brightest, Cole Custer puts on his best performances.

Cole Custer won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after taking the pole and leading a race-high 60 laps.

It was his second win of the season. He also won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series race at Iowa Speedway against the top teams from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race Started Off with Cole Custer & Dylan Kwasniewski Racing Side By Side

The 15-year-old Custer became the youngest driver to win a K&N Pro Series East race at Iowa Speedway. The win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was special too, because it was close to home for many of his crew members

"This one was a lot more hectic, so it feels a lot better," Custer said. "All my guys are from up here. They really wanted to win this race. It feels really good. All my guys are really excited. It’s awesome to win at New Hampshire [Motor Speedway], too."

Custer has four top-five finishes in his first 12 races on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He has two top fives at Iowa Speedway and another top five at Richmond International Raceway. He made history at New Hampshire Motor Speedway as well, becoming the youngest driver to win a race at that track.

He passed Daniel Suarez on lap 87 of the North American Power 150 and led the final 18 laps, including a green-white-checkered flag finish, to win the race.

The 21 Means 21 Pole Award Was Presented to Cole Custer at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

"I was a little bit worried there at the end, but it seemed like we had the car to beat at the end," Custer said. "I was able to get by him. There was no other way to pass. It was just really hard to pass. I had to shove him up a little bit, just try to get a run off the corner. We raced really clean. It was fun racing with him."

Suarez finished second, his fifth top-five finish of the season.

"I feel the communication with my crew chief and everybody on the whole racing team, they did an awesome job," Suarez said. "I feel we were pretty strong. We are learning a lot. The next race is Dover. I’ve never been to Dover. I’m excited to be there."

Cale Conley was third, his fourth top-five finish in 12 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races this year.

"It was a solid run," Conley said. "Started fourth, we were tight there the first half. We came in and loosened the car up, but we overshot a little bit. We struggled there. All around a pretty good run. Just happy to be here in New Hampshire."

Dylan Kwasniewski, who leads the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East standings, was involved in a crash on lap 34. He spun out while battling Custer for the lead in the race and ended up finishing a season-worst 24th.

Brett Moffitt finished in seventh place and cut into Kwasniewski’s lead. Kwasniewski has a 23-point lead over Moffitt with two races to go.

The next race on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule is the Drive Sober 150 at Dover International Speedway on September 27, 2013.

It's a Picture Perfect Finish as Cole Custer Takes the Checkered Flag at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Cole Custer Celebrating the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Victory with the Haas Automation Chevrolet Team

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Racer Dylan Kwasniewski Spins Out After Contacting Cole Custer at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Tire Damage for Eddie MacDonald While He Was Leading at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Related K&N News Articles about NASCAR K&N Pro Series Races, Venues and Drivers: Cole Custer Wins NASCAR K&N Pro Series at Iowa Speedway Leading Entire Pork Be Inspired 150; Brett Moffitt Wins K&N Pro Series East Race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; Max Gresham Wins NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

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Dan Fletcher Earns 2nd Career Western Swing Sweep and 1st Double-up Win in Seattle

1 oct. 2013

Dan Fletcher’s 85th victory ties him with NHRA legend, Bob Glidden, for 4th place on the all-time NHRA wins list

"On the road again" - it’s a familiar theme for Dan Fletcher. Since 1997 the highway or his shop in Churchville, New York has been where the fulltime professional drag racer has defined his career, and how he goes about continuing to add ink into drag racing’s big book.

Timothy Fletcher will be racing the Peak/Mickey Thompson/K&N Nova at the IHRA bracket finals in Pittsburgh

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Sportsman racer recently scored victories in both Stock and Super Stock at the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle. Fletcher first ran down Don Elgin for the win in Stock Eliminator then went toe-to-toe with Jody Lang in Super Stock. Lang blinked first and left early by one one-thousandth of a second, turning on the red-light and giving the victory to Fletcher.

It was the K&N legend’s first career double-up, and it nicely topped off his sweep of the NHRA Western Swing. Coming into Seattle Fletcher had already claimed a Super Stock win in Denver and a Stock title in Sonoma, California, completing his second career Western Swing sweep. The last time Fletcher won all three events was back in 1994.

"Sweeping the Western Swing and doubling at Seattle makes this season pretty good overall," said Fletcher. "Everything went my way the whole time, but last month, not so much."

In his last race at Charlotte Fletcher lost in the 3rd round in Super Stock and he got inched out in the 4th round in Stock. ".005 finish line in Super Stock and .001 red in Stock. Very frustrating to say the least," he states, adding credence to the theory that champions focus more on their loathing for losing, than they waste time on their love for winning. "I’m currently tied for the points lead in Super Stock and trying to squeeze into the top-10 in Stock," he adds.

The double in Seattle earned Fletcher wins 84 and 85, making him the 17th driver to accomplish the double-win feat, and it marked only the 28th double in NHRA history. Remarkably it was his first double after failing to accomplish the feat in the eight previous times he had reached two finals. Fletcher’s double is particularly meaningful because the 85th victory ties him with NHRA legend, Bob Glidden, for 4th place on the all-time NHRA wins list.

"The cars have run well, but I now have four cars in the fleet, so it’s a lot of work to keep up with everything," explains Fletcher. "The SS Camaro is in the chassis shop for a rear end update and the Camaro stocker, and Chevelle wagon stocker, both have the motors out at the current time."

The next event for the Fletcher’s is this weekend. "Timothy will be racing the Peak/Mickey Thompson/K&N Nova at the IHRA bracket finals in Pittsburgh, and Thomas will be racing the Camaro stocker at the Northern Sportnationals in Columbus, Ohio," he says. "And I will compete again next weekend at the NHRA event in St. Louis."

Related K&N News Articles about K&N's Dan Fletcher: K&N's Dan Fletcher Adds to His Ever Growing NHRA National Event Win Tally at Brainerd; Dan Fletcher Reaches Fourth NHRA National Final of 2012 Season at 4-Wide Nationals; K&N's Dan Fletcher Mixes it Up in Las Vegas and Grabs 76th NHRA National Event Win; Dan Fletcher Makes It a Golden 75 with Back-to-Back NHRA National Event Wins

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Matt Long Takes Checkered Flag at Beckley Motorsports Park

1 oct. 2013

Matt Long is looking forward to a fierce battle at the Fastrak World Championship in the days to come

Team Matt Long Racing is no stranger to the thrill of a heated battle to the end. But they just couldn't seem to get over the hump during the first part of the 2013 season, with four runner-up finishes and several great runs at various venues.

However, persistence recently paid off at the Beckley Motorsports Park, at Beckley West Virginia. Recalling a fast and furious performance during his previous visit to the venue, Long rolled into town with an eagerness to get the show on the road.

"My confidence was very high," recalled Matt Long. In reference to their first trip to Beckley this season he said, "We were one of the fastest cars, but I spun out passing for the lead.

"I love this track," he continued. "You can pass all over it; run top, middle and bottom grooves. It gets very slick and makes the driver concentrate and be very consistent."

Running in the Crate Late Model class, Matt Long didn't waste any time setting the bar. In fact, Long took the victory in his heat race. Having earned a front-row starting position in the feature, Matt Long was focused on a win when the drop of the green flag deemed the race underway. Immediately taking the lead, he never looked back. Long managed to pull himself from the pack and hold his position throughout the entire race. And when the dust had settled, Matt Long Racing had earned their first victory of the season, and Matt Long's rightful spot atop the podium.

After several near wins, Matt Long and Matt Long Racing walked away from Beckley Motorsports Park with a victory under their belt and aspirations of more checkered flags throughout the remainder of the 2013 season

When asked the key to success at this event, Long explained, "Probably the confidence I had in the set-up and car. As long as there were no screw ups by the driver, I was pretty confident we could take the win. Winning the heat gave us a front row starting spot. It's always better and easier to start from the front row."

Although Long made it through the race without any challenges from his competitors, he was acutely aware that one driver in particular had the potential to make a run for the victory. "Eddie Hambrick, a regular at Beckley, has won double-digit features this year," recalled Long. "So going into the night, he was the guy to beat. When I got to traffic," stated Long, "the car would go anywhere I put it. I assumed the guys behind me couldn't move around that much."

But Matt Long and his team were ready for the challenge. And upon taking the checkered flag, Matt had distanced himself nearly a straightaway from his competitors.

When asked the key to success throughout the remainder of the season, Matt Long said, "Along with keeping focused, making the right calls throughout the night is always important. Fortunately, our next race is at Beckley once again, and it's a big one - the Fastrak World Championship, paying $20,000.00 to win. I feel really confident that we can mix when the laps wind down for the purse."

Matt Long was quick to credit his team for many superb runs this season. "My team and my friends who help me are really important to me. I will always have racing in my life, and some of the best friendships I have are because of or through racing."

Having been driving in the sport for eight years and involved in dirt racing since he was a child watching his father and grandfather compete, Matt Long has learned that enough can't be said about the significance of maintenance.

"It is one of the most important, yet least understood things in racing," explained Matt Long. "Having a great maintenance program is second to none. I'm fortunate that my crew chief, Jim Cook Jr., fully understands that, and goes above and beyond in that department each week."

A strong advocate of keeping the internal components of his engine contaminant free, Long depends upon K&N products for his filtering needs. I've been using their products my entire racing career," he explained. I use K&N's 14"X5" air filter, 1 3/8" breather with shield, 3/8" breather, oil spray, cleaner their outerwear and oil filters.

"K&N products are fantastic!" he ensured. " If taken care of the correct way, they can save you thousands of dollars on engine wear and tear. My engine cylinders are always in great shape at the end of the season, and same for my quick-change rear end and transmission." Acutely aware that the outcome of close races is often determined by decisions executed in the shop, Matt Long concluded, "Such great protection and still allowing the highest horsepower and torque are what sets the K&N products apart from their competition."

Related K&N News Articles about Matt Long: Circle K Pop Racing Team's Matt Long Takes Victory at I-77 Speedway in South Carolina; NDRA Racer Matt Long Wants NDRA Regional Championship Win

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Shannon Lightning McQueen Gathers Momentum With Podium Finish

1 oct. 2013

Shannon "Lightning" McQueen racing in her USAC Midget

Bakersfield, California native, Shannon "Lightning" McQueen, experienced her fair share of bad luck during the first portion of the 2013 season. However, things have recently changed. Two consecutive top-five finishes has rekindled her confidence and an eagerness to end the season with a run of impressive races in the Midget class.

With her first impressive run of the season already behind her, McQueen recently rolled into the Placerville Speedway, at the El Dorado County Fair Grounds in Northern California, with aspirations of continuing her success. Muscling her way from sixth to second place during the second heat, she ran out of laps prior to catching the lead driver.

Although she would have preferred the winning spot, McQueen was acutely aware that her impressive performance was more than likely an indication of what would transpire during the remainder of the Bay Cities Racing Association event.

USAC Midget racer Shannon "Lightning" McQueen racing at the Bakersfield Speedway

"I knew we had a really good car that was consistent," recalled McQueen. "Our car’s always fast. My dad builds my motors, and we always have plenty of horsepower for sure. We are working with a new crew chief and have been really working well together. And that gives me a ton of confidence. I knew we had a car that could win, as long as we could get a little bit of luck, which we have not had a lot of lately."

Having earned the sixth position in the main, McQueen did not waste any time at the waving of the green flag. Running in the top five of the field during the first half of the race of the race, McQueen never lost focus of the first three positions, all of which would earn a podium spot.

Recognizing an opportunity to move closer to the front of the pack McQueen moved forward, eager to battle Greg Bragg for the third place position. And a fierce battle it was. Going neck-to-neck, the two drivers would capitalize on the other’s mistakes, in turn, swapping the position back and fourth. And when the checkered flag deemed the race over, Shannon "Lightning" McQueen had managed to cross the finish line in third place, earning her rightful spot on the podium.

"Greg and I always have a good time racing against each other," McQueen shared. "I can trust him, and he can me, as we have raced together in different divisions for the past 20-years. We were super-close to second place," she continued. "Maybe a couple more laps, and we could have challenged for that position. A good race, all-in-all."

Of course, great driving skills are an essential element of success in the world of racing. However, one must also depend upon good fortune. In reference to luck, McQueen said, "It’s huge. You can have the fastest car, but if the breaks don’t go your way when you can capitalize on them , you are probably not going to win."

Experience has also taught McQueen that the support of a good team is irreplaceable. "I cannot do it without my guys," ensured McQueen. My dad builds my motors, and without him the cost would be very high. He has huge success in building motors. . . I also have two guys who work for me at the track - my crew chief, Rob Russell and another crew guy, Jeremy Queener. It takes all of us working together to achieve success. This is most definitely a team sport."

Shannon "Lightning" McQueen is also aware that proper maintenance is often the determining fact in one’s overall success throughout a season. "Races are won and lost at the shop," she ensured. "If you have a poor maintenance program, it will reflect at the race track. I do 90% of my own maintenance at the shop."

That in mind, McQueen depends upon K&N products to keep the internal components of her engines running contaminant free. "We use their oil and air filters and filter oils in our race cars and street cars. I have used K&N products since we started racing the midget in 2004. Their products are awesome," she continued, "as they are reliable, dependable and provide us with the performance we need."

Looking forward to the remainder of the season, Shannon "Lightning" McQueen said, "It was a rocky start to the beginning of our year. Hopefully we’ll finish the season on a strong note."

Related K&N News Articles about Shannon "Lightning" McQueen and USAC Midget Racing: Shannon "Lightning" McQueen Earns Double Silver in BCRA Doubleheader; F&F Racing's Frankie Guerrini Wins USAC Mopar Western Midget Race at Santa Maria Speedway

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