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Chris Ferguson Builds Momentum Headed into ULTIMATE Season-Opener

21 mai 2012

Our car was fast enough to win and we put ourselves in a position to capitalize on that, so it was a pretty big moment.

2012 hasn't been the best season of Chris Ferguson's career. The 2011 Ultimate Late Model champion has seen his fair share of races slip away for reasons far beyond his control. But Ferguson has a chance to erase all of the bad memories when his team travels to the world famous Eldora Speedway, June 8-9, for the Dream 100.

The biggest dirt late model race in the country, the Dream, which has gained notoriety with the Prelude to the Dream charity race featuring the top racecar drivers in the United States, pays $100,000 to win, and Ferguson and his team are out to avenge another big money race that got away this season.

"We were leading the inaugural Carolina Crown race, which paid twenty-thousand dollars to win," Ferguson told K&N. "The race had national drivers like Jonathon Davenport and Jared Landers, who both drive for (NASCAR Sprint Cup driver) Clint Bowyer, and Steve Shaver, Chris Madden and Tim McCreadie. I believe that was the biggest moment for us so far. We led twenty laps before we burnt a piston in the motor.

"Our car was fast enough to win and we put ourselves in a position to capitalize on that, so it was a pretty big moment."

Ferguson seemed destined to capture his first World of Outlaws Late Model feature as well, but lady luck bit again. "The most disappointing moment of the year had to be sitting on the pole and winning the heat race at the World of Outlaws event, and getting in a wreck on the first lap after having a dominant car all day. The wreck wasn't our fault but it was frustrating to miss out on capturing our first World of Outlaws Late Model Series win."

We led twenty laps before we burnt a piston in the motor.

Despite the early season misfortunes, Ferguson has kept his head high and remains positive heading into the Dream. He says it helps knowing the team proved they belonged last season, when Ferguson claimed the Ultimate Late Model Series championship.

"I feel like it does give us a sense of pride, so we do show up with more confidence, only because we won that championship last year, and we are the defending champions. It doesn't really change the way we race, mainly because we race with the same attitude no matter where we are racing and that's to race hard, race to win, and race with respect."

After the Dream, Ferguson and his team will get back to focusing on running in multiple series, including the Ultimate Series, Beast Series, Southern All Stars, World of Outlaws and the Lucas Oil Late Model Series. He said staying on top of the ever-changing technology is a big reason his team continues to improve and be competitive.

"The biggest challenge in staying competitive year in and year out is staying on top of the technology with shocks, setup, motors and everything else involved with the car. Motorsports is evolving day-to-day and the latest and greatest new products come out all the time, so it's our job to find out what works on our cars with my racing style and our package.

"Another thing is racing against the best more often, especially with guys that run the World of Outlaws and Lucas Oil tours. We enjoy racing against them, and it usually shows them we compete at a higher level on the regional level."

Speaking of the latest and greatest new products, Ferguson praised K&N Filters for their products effectiveness.

"We utilize K&N washable Air Filters, K&N Oil Filters, along with the K&N Fuel Filter, K&N Air Filter Oil and K&N Air Filter Cleaner and Degreaser. The biggest thing with our dirt late model engines is keeping the carburetor and intake manifold clean from dirt and other debris. Having a washable and reusable air filter helps our team out because we race roughly sixty to seventy times a year, and we can continue to reuse the same air filter. K&N filters resolve the problem of dirt and other various debris getting into the motor, which allows for better performance and less problems for our engine builder."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Video - 2011 to 2015 Dodge Durango and 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Intake Installation

18 mai 2012

2011 to 2015 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L Air Intake Installation Video
K&N's 77-1560KTK air intake system is an easy performance add-on for 2011 to 2015 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee models with a 3.6 liter engine. K&N dynamometer tests show an estimated 10.75 horsepower gain at 5447 RPM with use of this K&N air intake modification. This video demonstrates the steps needed to install a power gaining K&N air intake into a 2011 to 2015 Dodge Durango or Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.6L engine.

2011 and 2012 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L Air Intake Installation

2011 through 2015 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L Air Intake Installation Video

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Jordon The Jet Mallett Earns a Spot in the USCS History Books

17 mai 2012

Jordon Mallett of Greenbrier, Arkansas is already making a name for himself during his first season in the USCS National Tour Series.

Greenbrier, Arkansas native, Jordon "The Jet" Mallett got a taste of the USCS tour during 2011 as he ran one of their regional points series. In fact, during the previous season he ran mostly local shows and select ASCS events. That said, the young driver bailed off into the National Tour in 2012 and immediately made a showing. Running in his career first USCS national event, held at the Carolina Speedway, the 2011 United Sprint Car Series "Rookie of the Year" earned a spot in the USCS history books when he walked away victorious.

The fact that he rolled into the Carolina Speedway on Friday the 13th never even crossed Mallett's mind; superstitions were not of importance to him. "The Jet" was focused on the event that was scheduled to be underway in the hours to come. Laughingly he explained, "No, I really didn't even think about it. It was a joking matter to me to make comments about it to others, because I myself am not superstitious."

The night started off on a positive note when Mallet won the power dash. Following the Dash, the young driver had confidence on his side as he prepared for his heat race. In the eighth position at the waving of the green flag, Mallett had managed to work his way into the fourth position upon crossing the finish line. Although he would have been elated with a heat victory, all turned out well, as after the inversion the driver was situated exactly where he needed to be for the feature; he was starting on the pole.

"My confidence about the night grew somewhat a little greater after winning the dash," recalled Mallett. "But I still knew the night was just fixing to begin so it was not a huge boost, more like just a bonus to me." Referring to his fourth place finish in the heat, the driver continued, "It definitely helped starting on the pole of the feature from my fourth place in the heat race. I was disappointed with the heat race though, because I had a car that would have won my heat too. I just did not have enough tear-offs," he continued. "I would have liked to have won the heat as well, and think we would have still been fine starting fourth or sixth in the feature. I feel like I still could have won the show even from back there. My car was just great!"

Jordon Mallet recently earned his first win in the USCS National Tour at Carolina Speedway.

Before the thirty-lap race's end, Jordon "The Jet" Mallett had managed to gain a substantial lead, but that is no indication that the race went without any tense moments. "After taking the lead, I had two national champions who tried very hard to run my car back down," explained the driver, "but once out front, I was able to stretch out a lead to where no one could consider running me back down. It was extremely important to me to get the win, and get that taken care of and out of the way, as everyone says the first one is always the hardest to win."

When asked what separated him from his fellow drivers, Jordon Mallett said, "I'm just a normal person, who is willing to help people any way I can. I race using the talents that God has given me in order to bring him all of the honor and glory, making eternal differences with hopes that my racing can be used for not winning races alone, but winning souls for eternity."

Referring to the key to future success, the second generation driver said, "Keep charging hard and use this win as the confidence boost to think outside the box this season, and know how to put our team in a position to win. Our team is the most important aspect of my racing," he continued. "Without them, the racing could not continue. You have to have a race-winning team, before you can ever have a race-winning career."

Although a young driver, Jordon Mallett is acutely aware of the importance of proper maintenance. "Maintenance is vital," he explained. "It determines how well the car will perform when you arrive at the track, throughout the night, and is the determining factor in how it will hold up to the abuse it is put through that evening and if it will be able to complete the race. Just like it has always been said, most races are won in the shop, not at the track."

That in mind, Jordon Mallett and his crew depend upon K&N products for their filtration needs. "I use K&N oil filter HP-3002 on the race engine along with the K&N sprint car air box system," explained Mallett. "I also use the K&N oil filter HP-2006 on my Silverado, because I know that if a K&N filter can protect the oil in my race car, it will also protect the oil in my daily transportation. From my experience with K&N products and my dad's experience with them, we think they are absolutely great. We run K&N products because we feel they are second to none and we know they will protect our engine, and hold up through the whole season."

Although residing in a small town, Jordon "The Jet" Mallett, doesn't lack a huge fan support, When asked what his fans can expect in 2012, the driver said, "They should expect more wins to follow in this season, along with contention for three points championships, with plans of this becoming my year to shine."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Circle K Pop Racing Team's Matt Long Takes Victory at I-77 Speedway in South Carolina

17 mai 2012

Matt Long and Long Racing have experienced success early in 2012 and are anticipating a successful season.

After having one of the fastest cars in hot laps, Matt Long and his Circle K Pop Racing Team went into their heat at the I-77 Speedway in Chester, South Carolina with anticipations of success. Setting the fastest time in the time trials, Long and his crew were elated at the fact that they had earned the pole position for the feature. Referring to the pole position as an advantage, the driver said, "The track was really rough, and kind of one-laned. It would have been very hard to pass."

Lining up alongside Steve Banal and Ron Parker, Long knew he had his work cut out for him. At the waving of the green flag he managed to immediately take the lead, but Parker had no intentions of making Long's road to victory easy. In fact, quickly taking the second place position, the driver and Matt Long ran practically door to door throughout a portion of the race. Although Parker challenged him, Long managed to hold the driver off lap after lap until eventually changing his line and taking a comfortable lead. With his competitors left behind and battling for second place, Matt Long took the checkered flag and earned the top spot on the podium.

"The key to success during this particular event was set-up," recalled Long. "The car was free enough to handle the bumps, and fast enough to get me on the front row. I was challenged in the middle stages of the race, but then changed my line and won comfortably. It was really important to get a win this early in the season," he continued. "Usually, we are a slow starting team, and this year has been the opposite; only one finish outside the top four. Winning this early builds excitement and confidence for both me and my team."

Matt Long recently earned a win at the I-77 Speedway in Chester, South Carolina.

When asked if he had a busy season scheduled for 2012, Long said, "Yes, I have more work responsibilities this year. That puts pressure on the 2012 racing schedule to make sure that I get qualified for year-end championships in both of the national series I run, Fastrack, and NDRA."

With a rigorous schedule ahead of him, Matt Long is even more aware of the importance of his team. "Without my crew chief, Jim Cook, and the other guys that help us out, I wouldn't make it to the track for the thirty-five to fifty events that we run a year. It wouldn't be possible. I have a great team, and that makes all the difference," he ensured. Referring to the key to success throughout 2012, Long continued, "Consistency, and learning as we go."

Matt long and his crew are also perfectly aware that a strong maintenance program is essential if they plan to experience success during their upcoming races. "Maintenance is a top priority, shared the driver. "You can't win races if you don't finish. We pride ourselves on maintenance."

With the importance of keeping their car in tip-top running condition, Matt Long and team Circle K Polar Pop Racing depend upon K&N products to keep the internal components of their engines well-lubed and contaminant-free. "We use the K&N 14" X 5" air cleaner, and the appropriate pre-charger/outwear," explained the driver. Listing other K&N products that they depend upon he continued, "crankcase breathers, breathers for fuel cell, rear end, transmissions, filter cleaner and filter oil. We also use a K&N oil filter on the F350 Superduty."

K&N products are awesome," stated the driver. "Very important. Running on dirt tracks means lots and lots of dust. The inside of my motors, transmissions, and rear ends is second to none at the end of the year. There are a lot of new filter companies trying to break into the dirt scene with different philosophies, and they have all failed in one way or another. K&N products and their support are second to none. Hard to fix or improve on K&N products, their results speak for themselves."

When asked what fans could expect from Matt Long Racing in 2012 he said, "I think they're going to be surprised. If the start of the year is an indicator, this could be an unprecedented year for Long Racing."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

K&N Sponsored Johnny Lewis Gets His First-Ever AMA Pro GNC Flat Track Win

17 mai 2012

Once I was out in front, I never looked back to see where the field was, I just ran my own race.

Johnny Lewis felt like he was "on a vacation." That's not usually the response of someone who just won his first ever AMA Grand National Championship race, but for the 22-year-old pro flat track rider from Pennsylvania, it's easy to understand what he meant.

"We raced on Thursday night," Lewis said of the opening round on the 2012 season in Daytona, Florida. "Round two was on Friday, so I couldn't celebrate too much. It was one of the moments where you wish the day didn't end, because you had to go back to work the next day. It's like when you come home from a vacation and you know you have to work on Monday, you don't want the day to end."

Lewis followed up his opening-night victory with another top-10 in round two, putting him third in points heading into the Memorial Day weekend showdown at the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

I just pointed to the sky and said 'for Mark!'

Lewis had extra motivation during the weekend at Daytona, as he was racing for a close friend who had recently lost his life. "The weeks leading up to Daytona I worked even harder, I wanted to win the race for him," Lewis said. "As soon as I crossed the finish line, I knew I had won, it sunk in, and he was the first person I thought of. I just pointed to the sky and said 'for Mark!'"

Lewis said a simple piece of advice from friend Mike Hacker, just before the main event, helped him win at Daytona. "Mike told my wife to tell me to just ride my race," Lewis said. "We had a dash earlier in the night, and man did I blow that one. I got a poor start and rode everyone else's race. In the main, I just focused on racing the track and getting a hole-shot. Once I was out in front, I never looked back to see where the field was, I just ran my own race."

Lewis thinks the added confidence from his win in Daytona will carry over to the rest of the season, making him a contender in 2012. "When I switched from AMA Supermoto to AMA Flat Track, I felt like everyone had an advantage over me because they had been racing flat track so long," Lewis said. "I knew I could win, but I wasn't truly believing in myself, I always felt like everyone had an advantage over me, but not anymore!"

Lewis, who has a victory in the AMA Pro Supermoto Unlimited class, hopes he can add a third victory in a third class later this season, as he bounces from singles to twins in the flat track circuit. But for now, he is focused on Springfield and a chance to take charge of the GNC points standings.

"I couldn't do this without K&N," Lewis added. "We all know K&N products give us an advantage on our bike, but they also help save us money with the K&N filter system kit we have on our box truck. We did over 30,000 miles last season, and K&N is the reason we were able to complete the whole year."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.