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USAC Ford Focus Series competitor Cody Swanson faced a double race weekend, first at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, California then onto Ventura Raceway in Ventura, California.
K&N filters allow our engines to breathe and protects them on the dirt tracks, said Cody Swanson, photo by Debbie Swanson
USAC Ford Focus Midgets had a double header weekend at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, California and Ventura Raceway in Ventura, California, photo by Debbie Swanson
The K&N sponsored driver was looking forward to Watsonville. “The last time we were there, we were able to bring home our first big win in the USAC Ford Focus Series,” said Swanson. “I knew the racing would be exciting from the start line.”
K&N sponsored teen Cody Swanson is third overall in points in the USAC Ford Focus Series, photo by Debbie Swanson
Next USAC Ford Focus Midget Race for the Swanson Motorsports Team will be in Perris, California, photo by Debbie Swanson
Swanson started 3rd in the 2nd heat race. “My car was extremely hooked up and by the end of the 3rd lap I passed the No. 21 Midget for the lead,” he said. “The rest of the heat was smooth sailing and we took the win.”
In the main event, Swanson was running in the top three Midgets. “We were all searching for ways to get the advantage on the other,” he said. “On lap 8 there was a caution and that changed everything.” On the restart Swanson tried to take his Midget to the top groove and headed toward the outside to try and get around a competitor. Swanson did not have enough traction and lost three positions. Swanson ultimately finished in 3rd place.
The Swanson Motorsports Team drove about six hours from Watsonville to Ventura Raceway. “Sometimes we travel to five races in one week and that can get really expensive,” said Swanson. “With our K&N air intake system we notice an improvement in gas mileage on our tow vehicles and that saves us money.”
The Ventura USAC Ford Focus Series race was close and there was Midget contact. “My right front shock was bent,” said Swanson. “There were some handling problems with the Midget. I was faster on the oval than the other Midgets, but did not have the forward drive I needed to get around them. I ended the race in 5th position.”
Swanson is third in points overall in the chase for the USAC Ford Focus Series Championship. His next race will be in August at Perris Speedway in California.
The Swanson Motorsports Team uses K&N products on its racing and street vehicles. "No other product compares wot he protection and performace of K&N," said Swanson. "My racing career started with K&N filters protecting my kart racing engines and continues today on the midgets that I drive. Simply put, no other filter will do for our team."
Black Stallion and driver owner Michael Vaters returned to Monster Truck action at Tyler County Speedway in West Virginia. The Iron Warrior, piloted by Trey Myers started things off
at the track with a wheelie demonstration.
Racing Action puts Monster Trucks to the test in West Virginia, photo by Matt Rowland
Iron Warrior flies the K&N Flag in Monster Truck Competition, photo by Matt Rowland
Vaters in the K&N Ford Powered Black Stallion followed Myers and stood the big truck straight up and down over a pile of cars. At this event, the car stacks were also arranged for a grudge match race and the K&N Ford Powered Black Stallion edged out the Iron Warrior during one-on-one competition.
K&N Ford Powered Black Stallion takes on the Monster Truck competition, photo by Matt Rowland
Black Stallion Driver Michael Vaters destroys a junk car with a Kamikaze Jet Powered 4-Wheeler during Monster Truck action
“The real thrill for the crowd came when it was time for Monster Freestyle,” said Vaters. “The organizers brought out a motor home and I made short work of it and destroyed the camper with Black Stallion.” Myers ended the freestyle section with lots of high flying action in Iron Warrior.
Jim Kohler and the Avenger, Chris Bergeron in Brutus, Jay Snyder in Screamin’ Demon and Tim Bee in the Killer Bee were Iron Warrior and Black Stallion’s competition in the next event at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Virginia.
The wheelie contest was close because all the trucks were vertical, but Brutus took the win. There was also lots of racing. “Long dirt ramps lead up to the cars so the Monster Trucks could really open up,” said Vaters. “Each round of racing went faster as the drivers got a better feel for the track.”
The racing portion came down to Black Stallion taking on Jay Snyder in the Screamin’ Demon for the final round. “It seemed as though Jay was going to take the win,” said Vaters. “He bobbled in the last turn and Black Stallion went to Victory Lane.”
Vaters also drove a Kamikaze Jet Powered 4-Wheeler and lit up the speedway with 25 foot long fames thrusting out the back of
its engine. “I backed up to a junk car and had a little Car-b-que,” he said.
Vaters uses K&N air filters and oil filters on his Monster Trucks. “Over my many years in this business I’ve used a lot of products, but K&N is the one that can handle the dirty and dusty environment during Monster Jam competitions,” said Vaters. “We are known nationwide for our wild and crazy driving and the ability to push our engines to the limit. We’re hard on our motors and K&N gives us the protection we need for competition.”
Sammy Stile of Laraway Motorsports visited victory lane for the fifth time this year at Dog Hollow Speedway in Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania.
Force Inc. Super Late Model Championship Challenge Series points leader Sammy Stile at Dog Hollow Speedway in Pennsylvania
Stile won the heat race in his Dirt Super Late Model 800 horsepower engine with K&N products. Stile started sixth in a field of 25 cars and took over the lead halfway through the race. He was never challenged.
Dane Laraway drives is Dirt Super Late Model on the track with its 800 horsepower engine
Laraway Motorsports got an additional 11 horsepower on its engines with K&N
His teammate, Dane Laraway was all set to win his sixth heat race until a driveshaft fell out of a competitor’s car and flattened the No. 1 Laraway Motorsports right rear tire. Laraway left the track and turned the lead over to the second place car.
“The incident positioned Dane to start at the back of the field on a dry slick track,” said Team Owner Brian Laraway. “My son managed to advance to seventh in the twenty lap feature. It was a very impressive run from the
back to seventh on a track with minimal passing.”
Brain Laraway was a competitor in the Dirt Super Late Model Series but gave up his seat to his son. “Dane showed an interest in driving since he was 15-years-old,” said Laraway. “He’s in the car now.”
Sammy Stile drives the No. 2 Laraway Motorsports vehicle. He had the most wins in the Dirt Late Model Series in the North East United States in 2004 and 2005. “Sammy called me one day and said I need a car to race,” said Laraway. “I gave him one to drive and he’s become part of the family.”
Stile continues to lead the Force Inc. Super Late Model Championship Challenge Points at Dog Hollow Speedway and Marion Center Speedway in Pennsylvania. Each track pays $3,000 to the point’s winner at the close of the season. Force Inc. will pay an additional $10,000 bonus if the same driver wins the points at both Dog Hollow Speedway and Marion Center Speedway.
“We’ve been using K&N for a few years now,” said Laraway. “We gained 11 horsepower on the dyno with K&N and know it’s a quality product. You can’t win races without quality parts and K&N is a quality product.”
The number 61 is a good number, just ask Sportsman racer Dan Fletcher. The Churchville, New York resident took home his 61st NHRA Wally during the Mopar Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado.
Dan Fletcher holds his 61st NHRA Wally from the Mopar Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado
K&N 1969 Chevrolet Camaro driven by Dan Fletcher
Fletcher defeated Doug Young in the Stock final round, by nailing the tree at the start. He had a 0.008 reaction-time compared to Young’s 0.080. The K&N sponsored racer was proud to put his K&N sponsored 1969 Chevrolet Camaro in the Winner’s Circle.
Thanks to K&N my cars outlast and outperform, said Dan Fletcher
Fletcher hopes to sweep the three race Western Swing again. Only seven other drivers have done this, including John Force, Greg Anderson, Cory McClenathan, Larry Dixon, Tony Schumacher and Joe Amato
“It’s about time I won in this car for K&N,” said Fletcher. “I’m certainly glad to reward K&N’s faith in me by knocking the door down with the K&N car. It’s an honor to have a company like K&N provide funding for me to race in this economic climate. I’m humbled by K&N’s support.”
Fletcher has won four 2009 NHRA National Events in Competition Eliminator. This was his first win in Stock. His matching 1969 Chevy Camaro’s made their debut at the NHRA
Winternationals in Pomona, California.
Fletcher hopes to sweep the three-race Western Swing again. Since the first Western Swing in 1969, only seven drivers, Joe Amato, John Force, Cory McClenathan, Larry Dixon, Greg Anderson, Tony Schumacher and Fletcher can put this accomplishment on their racing resumes.
The NHRA Western Swing is three mid-summer races that stretch from Denver, to Seattle, to Sonoma, California in three weeks. Teams travel more than two thousand miles during the 21 day racing marathon. Fletcher was on the road when K&N spoke with him by phone.
“I got the first leg of the journey done,” said Fletcher. “The first race is the hardest one. Denver is always tricky. The weather conditions change on a heartbeat. The wind will go from a head-wind to a tail-wind in a split second and it’s a difficult dial in. I hope to double up in Super Stock and Stock in Seattle, I don’t think that’s being too greedy.”
K&N's Ross Rettig explains how K&N tests air filters according to ISO 5011 test protocol.
The Los Angeles Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America visited K&N Engineering headquarters on Saturday July 11, 2009 to hold a club tour and tech session.
BMW Car Club of America members listen to K&N's Bert Heck explain the design process for K&N air intake systems.
K&N's Joel Valles speaks to BMW owners about how mass airflow sensors are tested.
Seventy club members from as far as 200 miles away visited K&N's Riverside, California facility, despite it being a hot July morning. K&N employees Rich Dwyer, Joel Valles, Steve Gibson, Renard Howard, Bert Heck, and Ross Rettig welcomed the BMW group as they arrived. "The variety of vehicles was astounding," said Gibson. "There were cars from as far back as an early '70's 2002, all the way up to a brand new 135i." Once the tech session was underway, club members had the opportunity to learn how K&N products are designed, tested, and manufactured. The group also toured K&N's race and fabrication shop, where several K&N vehicles were on display.
"All in all, we saw and learned far more than we expected" said Chapter Vice President Ed Lovelace. "We saw how K&N products are made and we also got to see how filtration systems are developed, trouble- shot and tested."
Paul Pencikowski, a retired avionics systems designer, attended the K&N tour as a guest of a friend. Pencikowski was very impressed with the testing and research that takes place every day at K&N. "I am an expert in experimental design, and K&N amazes me" Pencikowski said. "Their testing procedures are effective, efficient, and conclusive."
The tech session ended with lunch and a raffle for BMW Car Club merchandise, as well as two K&N gift certificates, inside K&N's Training Center. "All in all, this was one of the most active groups I'd ever worked with" said Gibson. "From car control clinics, to driving schools and car shows, the Los Angeles Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America has an event almost every weekend."
