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Terry Sullivan in the Midst of a Super Gas Winning Streak with Back-to-Back NHRA Wins

Jun 21, 2012

When Sullivan began his time runs or qualifying sessions for the Topeka national event, his 598 BBC as well as his converter were all brand new.

Should you be competing in Super Gas anywhere in NHRA Div 4 territory or at a NHRA National event where Richardson, Texas based Terry Sullivan has also entered, you just may get a chill should he pull up next to you for eliminations. The K&N racer has knocked out all who have challenged him over his last two NHRA events, by winning back-to-back Super Gas finals with the 1967 Camaro Roadster he has been driving. His first win coming during the 24th annual Dollar General Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka and his latest during a NHRA Div 4 event at No Problem Raceway, in Belle Rose, Louisiana.

When Sullivan began his time runs or qualifying sessions for the Topeka national event, his 598 BBC as well as his converter were all brand new. "Our first pass out we ran a 10.10 and 168," explained Sullivan. "The mile-per-hour was real impressive. The second run we took about fifty numbers out of the timer [throttle stop] and it went a 9.95, but we were getting it closer to where we wanted it to be. Over the course of the race at Topeka, it was really windy," he continued. "We had over twenty mile-per-hour head wind."

Sullivan got a lucky round right off the bat when his first round opponent turned it red and allowed Sullivan to make a full pass down the track and double check his throttle stop ratio. "We were happy with the run and we ended up having it dialed right where we wanted it to be for that first round," he said of his under the index 9.878. "Then in second round I had a .009 light to his [Billy Graham] .022 and that allowed me to push him under."

Third round would be a very similar time slip for Sullivan. He would once again have the starting line advantage with his .007 to Tom Carlson's .019. Sullivan ran his 1967 K&N Camaro Roadster up on Carlson's 1984 Omni, and as the phase is drag racing goes, "let him go" or decided to not take the stripe but force Carlson under the class 9.90 index.

To wrap up the class eliminations for Saturday, Sullivan got quite a gift in round four. "Once I got up to the lanes to be paired, I found out I had Mike Wiblishouser, who is a tough racer," he explained. "One of the NHRA officials told me that I had already beat him and I kept trying to explain to him that I hadn't run him yet. Finally, I found out that Mike had pulled out because he had dropped a valve in the shutdown area, after winning his last round and locked the motor up."

"I didn't know it right at that time, but found out right before making the fourth round that because Mike broke, I would also have the scheduled bye the next morning," he continued. "I told the NHRA official, 'now that's the kind of news I like to hear.'"

Two NHRA events and two Super Gas wins, that's quite a way to start of the season.

It's always huge to get a bye at any time, but especially so late in the rounds during a NHRA national event. Sullivan would get a rare opportunity to make a competition time run during the fifth round on Sunday morning. "With now having a fourteen mile-per-hour tail wind instead of the twenty we had as a head wind, yeah we were like .012 difference between the days, is what we figured because of the wind difference," he pointed out. "So after being .004 red and 9.87 during that bye, I added a hundredth to the delay and decided to let the track and the weather come to the E.T."

"I ran a good customer of mine, Tony Gray in the semi-finals," he said. "Knowing that Tony likes to be hot [set up fast] and likes to dump, I think I was like .024 on the tree and he was .038, I pushed him out and fed him a little bit of stripe."

Sullivan's safe 9.911 to Gray's 9.885 would set him up for a final round match-up with 2012 Houston Super Gas "bridesmaid", Jeff Lopez. "I took six of that hundredth back out of the delay and with my .011 light, I knew by the sixty foot clocks that he was in trouble," Sullivan said of Lopez's late .061 light. "Jeff and his whole family are good racers. But on that run at three hundred feet, he should have been out on me and he wasn't. At that point, it just seemed like the whole race just slowed down and I could really see what was going on. I probably ended up taking a little too much stripe, but I was trying to make sure I didn't mess up again."

The K&N racer has now been in ten NHRA National event finals with a sixty percent closing ratio, the latest win at Topeka made three for the Super Gas category. With a little IHRA racing in-between for the event at San Antonio Raceway, Sullivan's very next NHRA event would be just as successful for him.

During the most recent NHRA Div 4 event at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, Louisiana, Sullivan wheeled the K&N 1967 Camaro Roadster through two tough rounds, taking down Allen, Saucier, before meeting up with Jeff Lopez again in round three. Lopez went for the throat with a nice .005 light only to be outdriven and sent under the 9.90 index by Sullivan and his .029 and 9.908, after knocking off nearly fourteen mile-per-hour.

Next Sullivan would have an interesting round with Allen Temple. Temple would completely miss the tree and give Sullivan a full two tenths of a second to play with down track, where he skillfully backed in Temple without losing too much momentum and very easily took a two foot stripe for a safe 10.17 on the 9.90 index. The round earned Sullivan a bye into his second NHRA Super Gas final in as many races.

After first watching to see who he would meet up with in the next round, and not one to fluff on a single, Sullivan used his bye as a tune-up for the final, running his K&N Roadster out the back door and getting his throttle stop dialed for his match up with Scott Wood.

Sullivan saved one of his best reaction times of eliminations for the final. His .009 to Wood's sleepy .048 would give him all the opening he needed, although with all the top end games that were going on, it would almost seem as no one really wanted the stripe, with both drivers way down on mile-per-hour and E.T. By the nearest of margins, Sullivan backed into Wood and turned on the win light for the Super Gas Div 4 win by just five inches or .002 and take the Wally at his very first NHRA Div event of the season.

Two NHRA events and two Super Gas wins, that's quite a way to start of the season.

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.

Shane Stewart Picks Up Third Win with 3G Motorsports

Jun 21, 2012

I'd also say that when we came from fifteenth (starting spot) to win at Freemont in April was pretty cool.

Sprint Car driver Shane Stewart's incredible run in 2012 continued last week when he captured the win in the first ever 410ci race at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, Oregon, defeating World of Outlaws veteran Tim Kaeding. Stewart finished 4th in the dash, took the lead on lap 12 and lead the remaining 18 laps on his way to victory lane, helping him to makeup for a rough weekend until that point.

"We had a bizarre week, and it's just nice to finally win one," Stewart said. "It was awesome to finally get a win in the 57."

Stewart is running five different cars in 2012, and so far, he has found victory lane in all three he has driven, the 57, 21 and 3G. The aggressive schedule has also led to a pair of season-defining moments for Stewart, who has been fast everywhere he has raced this season.

"We won the first two nights of the Ronald Laney Memorial, 'The King of the 360s' in Florida to start the season. That was pretty special because I had literally just got back from Australia the day before, and I jumped in the 3G and had an awesome car.

Over the last few years we have been close to winning the Knoxville Nationals, and it's the biggest race of the year.

"I'd also say that when we came from fifteenth (starting spot) to win at Freemont in April was pretty cool," Stewart added. "Anytime you can come from that far back and win is awesome."

Ironically, a week that produced the best memories of 2012 also produced the most disappointing one for Stewart. "The finale of the Ronald Laney Memorial was tough. We had a great car all week long, and after winning the two prelim races, had a commanding lead on Saturday night, but blew a tire in the feature as the track started taking rubber. I know the Laney family and it would have been special to cap off that event with a win."

While Stewart is excited about his early season success and has some impressive finishes and memories, his eyes are already looking forward to the end of summer and the world famous Knoxville Nationals in Knoxville, Iowa. Stewart finished in the runner-up position at last years "Granddaddy of Them All."

"It's still a little over a month away, but I'm already looking forward to the Nationals," Stewart said. "Over the last few years we have been close to winning it, and it's the biggest race of the year. I've had that race on my mind since we crossed the finish line second last season."

Stewart should be considered an early favorite to win the biggest dirt race in the world, given his fast start and strong record at Knoxville in the past. And if he finds victory lane at this years Knoxville Nationals, it will be with K&N Filters on board.

"We use K&N Air and Oil Filters to help maintain our engine and other mechanical components. Races can be won and lost simply with your maintenance program, and K&N gives us the best advantage possible."

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.

Brian Garrahan Off-Road Training Race Report- Shasta National 2012

Jun 21, 2012

When I jumped into racing, it was way to early and I couldn't hold onto the bike, but I've gotten stronger and now I feel better and am back to my winning ways.

Competitive riding can be extremely physical, especially when mixing moto racing with trail racing. Mixing this type of dirt bike riding with a shoulder injury can be disastrous, but K&N-sponsored rider Brian Garrahan has found a way to stay competitive even after missing the start of the season.

"When I jumped into racing, it was way to early and I couldn't hold onto the bike," Garrahan told K&N News. "But as the season has progressed, I've gotten stronger and now I feel better and am back to my winning ways."

Garrahan made a switch in the off-season from Yamaha back to a familiar color, the Orange glow of KTM. Garrahan had ridden KTMs for nine years prior to moving to Yamahas, so the switch back was a seamless one, and one that is paying huge dividends already.

The new Dungey bike and my 350XCF are great machines. I ride lots of moto and off-road, and they work great on all different types of terrain.

"I love the new Dungey KTM," Garrahan said. "I couldn't come to terms with the Yamaha, so it was easy to jump back on the orange. The new Dungey bike and my 350XCF are great machines. I ride lots of moto and off-road, and they work great on all different types of terrain. The boys at KTM did their homework. The bike is super stable, the brakes work better than ever, and I have FOX Shox doing my suspension and those things are just amazing. When I get on the bike, I always know how it is going to react to each obstacle."

Garrahan said the recovery from his injury was more difficult then most assume as well, given the fact that he is older then most of his competitors. "It's hard to come back form an injury being so old; people don't understand how mentally challenging it can be too."

Garrahan found a way to put a smile on his face and beat the mental challenge when he took the checkered flag in the National event at Shasta Dam. "That was definitely the best moment of the year for me. I had won that event four times already, so to get number five was a great moment."

Garrahan still has a shot at a championship if he can win the last two National events, a remarkable fact given that he missed a few races. He has also stayed busy with his Northern California-based riding school, one of the most popular in the country.

Garrahan said he wouldn't be in the position he is in without help from K&N Filters. "With my races being three to four hours long, it gives you confidence to know that you have the best oil filter available in your bike. If that oil is not clean and circulating right, you can have some serious problems. Knowing I have K&N Filters in my bike keeps me from worrying because I know I have the best product out there."

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.

Just A Bump In The Road For Pro-4 and Pro-2 Racer Carl Renezeder During Opening Weekend

Jun 21, 2012

Throughout his career, Carl Renezeder has earned a staggering number of wins in the off-road scene.

In the world of racing, some drivers roll in, set the world on fire for a few seasons, and then fizzle out. There are some drivers, on the other hand, whose hard work, determination and skills earn the respect of other drivers, and fans of the sport. Carl Renezeder fits this mold to a T. In fact, he has been earning respect from his fellow drivers and fans of off-road racing for nearly twenty years. Simply put, his record speaks for itself.

Between 1994 and 2002, Renezeder logged nine CORR wins, seven of which were in the Pro-2 class and the remaining two in the Pro-4. During this time span the driver also earned spots on the podium on several other occasions as well. Renezeder won the SCORE Baja 1000 in 1994, and grabbed two podium finishes in SCORE Baja 500.

When 2003 rolled around, Carl Renezeder had no intentions of letting up. In fact, at the season's end, he had managed to clinch eight COOR wins, three in the Pro-2 class and five in the Pro-4. His stellar performance throughout the season earned him a championship title. During his quest for the championship, he picked up the Borg Warner Championship and finished second in the CORR Pro-2 points race.

With every season, Renezeder's success continued to soar, and in turn, his accomplishments grew more impressive. Earning various championship titles on an array of classifications, the driver obviously knows what it takes to be a fixture on the podium. After finishing 2011 with the LOORS Pro-4 championship under his belt, and two Pro-2 wins, his career record was staggering to say the least. Throughout the years, Carl Renezeder has managed to earn ninety-seven Short Course wins in thirteen seasons, and was an eight-time national champion. One would be hard pressed to find any driver who wouldn't be elated with those kinds of numbers.

"The key to my consistency has always been my team members," explained the driver. "They develop my race trucks with a focus on working with my marketing partners. My most memorable season was 2007," he continued. "That was the year I had the most wins." In fact, Carl Renezeder earned the CORR Pro-4 Championship, eight CORR Pro-4 wins, finished third in the CORR Pro-2 points, and had seven CORR Pro-2 wins that season. The driver also managed to log three WSORR Pro 4X4 wins, three Pro 2WD victories, and won the 40th Annual SCORE Baja 1000 with Rivera Racing.

Although they have experienced a string of bad luck thus far in 2012, Carl Renezeder and his team are looking forward to success throughout the remainder of the season.

Team Renezeder began the 2012 season with full intentions of carrying on their winning tradition, and still have the opportunity to do so, as time is plenty between now and the final race of the year. That said, in spite of Carl Renezeder's experience and skills and the teams hard work, they recently haven't been able to get things to fall their way.

The opening weekend, started well for the team, but as the event progressed, bad luck did also. After a productive practice, Renezeder qualified on the pole with his Lucas Oil Pro-2 Nissan Titan, and second in his Pro-4 truck. Kicking the season of in the Pro-4 class, it quickly became evident that the truck was having its problems. Losing his front wheel drive, Carl went into survival mode and in turn was forced to take a sixth place finish.

With the invert starting Carl Renezeder outside row tow in the Pro-4 class, he had already muscled his way to second place in the field by the thirteenth lap. Everything seemed to be going as planned until major contact with Robbie Woods in the first turn of the following lap ended the day.

Although immediately plagued with electrical problems on the following day, Carl and his crew quickly made the needed repairs and he qualified number one in the Pro-4. Confident his stroke of bad luck was behind him, the driver eagerly began the Pro-2 qualifying run. As luck would have it, brake problems reared their ugly head right off of the bat and eventually lent to a full-course yellow, and a crash from behind. Hard work and determination got the truck back up and running, and Renezeder managed to maneuver from his twelfth place starting position in the feature to sixth in lap ten, but the truck lost all power in the following lap, deeming the day over.

Recently rolling into Speedworld Raceway Park in Surprise, Arizona, Carl Renezeder was geared up and ready to roll. When the dust had settled and the checkered flag had flown, the driver had taken third place in the Pro-2 class of the 2012 Lucas Oil Off-Road event.

Throughout the years, experience has taught Renezeder that each and every driver will see their set backs. "You have to realize there is always good and bad when you race," shared Renezeder. "You take the bad and learn from it; keep going and never give up. Learn from everything."

Carl Renezeder and his team are more than ready for their luck to turn, and return to the winning tradition that they have become accustomed to. Of course, the driver's experience, patience and perseverance will ultimately play a huge role in their success, but Renezeder is also acutely aware of that peak performance of their trucks is essential. That in mind, he depends upon K&N products to keep their engines contaminant free.

"Maintenance is very important, because first you have to finish before you can win," explained the driver. "We use K&N air and oil filters. We also use their air filter cleaner and air filter oil. We use them because we feel they are the best products for our trucks," he continued. "K&N produces the best products on the market today."

When asked what he enjoys most about racing, Carl Renezeder said, "I enjoy the competition, the thrill of flying through the air, and the relationships I've built with my sponsors. Without our sponsors and fans, we wouldn't be able to do what we do," continued Renezeder. They're number one on our priority list." In closing, the driver said, "Thank you for the support."

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.

Cody Rahders Nears Podium at LOORRS Season Opener

Jun 21, 2012

The truck was so good Friday I didn't want to take any chances with it plus you can learn a lot by watching your competition, it really helps.

Lady Luck can be a cruel mistress. For young gun Cody Rahders, the fickle female came and went all weekend long during the first two rounds of LOORRS at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Arizona last month. First came the chance to pilot the #16 Superchips SuperLite, where Rahders came bursting in through the gates swinging, clicking off the third fastest lap during practice and the single fastest lap during the qualifier that Friday.

Due to the inverted 6 start, Rahders was positioned on the outside of row three for Saturday's main event race. He used that morning's five lap practice run to let his competitors drive, stating, "The truck was so good Friday I didn't want to take any chances with it, plus you can learn a lot by watching your competition. It really helps."

Then, inexplicably, Lady Luck ran out. Last minute changes to the Superlite race time by the Lucas officials (from 2:30 to 5:30), along with multiple restarts during the ProLite class postponed the SuperLites race until around 6:20, placing the sun nearly at eye-level. It didn't take long before Rahders was nearly blinded near the end of lap one by the sunset, causing him to collide with a competitor, a crash that broke the competitor's truck and earned Rahders a black flag "stop & go" penalty of last place.

I was struggling with the sun and the leaders were putting in some fast laps.

Refusing to give up, Rahders coaxed Lady Luck back into the passenger seat for a few more laps. By the mid-race caution, Rahders had started to make up for the penalty, and by the restart, he had made up enough ground to take fourth place. "I was struggling with the sun and the leaders were putting in some fast laps," Radhers admitted. "I wasn't close enough to make a move so all I could do is wait and hope for one of them to make a mistake."

Fighting the odds has always been Cody's M.O. When he's not piloting his Superchips SuperLite truck, Cody Rahders is racing a new 1,000cc-powered SR1 in the the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series' UTV class. The swap to four wheels from two came after motocross accident put Cody on a life flight to the hospital with a broken femur. Since then, Rahders has been seemingly unstoppable.

During Sunday's qualifier Radhers qualified in third. The young shoe was destined for the bronze spot that race, as the lead changed several times between the top three. By the caution, Cody Radhers had taken the third position. At the restart, Cody took turn three wide and was passed, followed by an untimely spin out in turn four, putting him back to sixth. Another heartbreaking spinout during the following lap put him in dead last. Lady Luck had bitten back yet once more. Thankfully, by the checkers flew, he had climbed back up enough to round the weekend out with a fourth place on Saturday and sixth place on Sunday.

"We talked a lot about the race on our way home," Rahders lamented. "Saturday was in the high 90's and Sunday was 30 degrees colder, the track changed so much with the cooler temperature we were off on our set up. We know what we did wrong and what we need to change if we ever have a weekend like that again."

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.

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