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Team Profile - K&N Sponsored Jeriod Prince of Prince Racing

18.11.2011

Jeriod riding high on the bank.

Roaring out of Ohio is Prince Racing with driver Jeriod Prince at the helm. This well-oiled machine of a team has had some very strong results in the 2011 season and looks to do the same in 2012. Recently K&N had the opportunity to ask driver Jeriod Prince about his team, his car, and what to expect in the future.

Jeriod leading during a daytime race.

What type of racing do you do?
We race IMCA type modifieds and we run in the USA modified and ARCA series.

What kind of racecar do you drive and what's your number?
My car is an Ellis chassis with a 358 cubic inch Chevy V8 and I'm number 9.

How long have you been racing?
I'm number 9 and I've been racing in modifieds for 6 years, but I've been racing since I was 9 years old. I've raced go-karts, sprint cars, and late models over my career.

How has your 2011 season been? What are some of the highs and lows?
We won the last race we ran at Sandusky Speedway! That was an awesome way to end the season, and we've been the fastest qualifier every week. 6th place was our worst finish all season and we finished 2nd 3-4 times. Our low of the season was when we got into a tangle with another car during one of the races. I had to bring the car in and get it fixed, but my team was awesome and got me back out on the track in no time. We ended up making it back up to the front of the pack and finished strong.

Jeriod taking the checkered flag at Sandusky Speedway.

What changes/hopes are you looking forward to in 2012?
We're planning to update the car with some more graphics as it's a pretty plain white right now. Our scheme is actually going to match the K&N colors pretty well. We're also in the process of building a new 400 cubic inch motor and hoping to run more ARCA races next season.

How long have you been sponsored by K&N?
This is our first full season with K&N as a sponsor and it's been a great relationship. Bob Harris is very helpful and supportive, even beyond our racecar to badging on our trailer and product for our other vehicles.

Jeriod, his team, family, and friends celebrating 1st place.

How have K&N products helped your racecar?
They're the best! It's super simple horsepower without sacrificing protection. The air filters help our car breathe better and make more power and the oil filters give us clean oil and lots of it. Having the 1” nut on the oil filter makes it really easy to remove too.

With a good portion of their finishes being in the top 5 and a new motor in the works, Jeriod Prince and Prince Racing are poised to be one of the top competitors in the 2012 season. Race fans should definitely keep an eye on this team as the New Year approaches.

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.

Carlos Campbell Brings Custom 1966 Cadillac DeVille to the SEMA Show

18.11.2011

I have been into cars all my life. My dad was into it. I just took this 1966 Cadillac DeVille to the next level for SEMA

The recent 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas brought some of the hottest and most unique builds, concepts and paint jobs to the strip. K&N met Carlos Campbell, the builder and designer of a completely custom 1966 Cadillac DeVille, and was able to get a quick interview. For 18 years Campbell has built and designed custom vehicles for various businesses and collectors. "I have been into cars all my life. My dad was into it. I just took it to the next level," reports Campbell. "I got started and never looked back."

I wanted to do something classy but just a little on the edge. 1966 Cadillac DeVille at SEMA.

This 1966 Cadillac DeVille is an artistic update and re-innovation of the classic design. "I wanted to do something classy but just a little on the edge," said Campbell. Carlos also reported using the paint and colors of the car to make it stand out amongst the hundreds of other cars in attendance at the show. The modifications to the Cadillac include: Air Ride, frame notch, shaved handles and molding, custom purple top and a new updates to older parts. "I pretty much had to redo the car for SEMA. Pretty much everything except the motor is new now." The custom '66 also sports 22" wheels which challenged Campbell in his design to lower the car's frame. Campbell went on to say that the finding of rare Cadillac parts also proved difficult.

The custom 1966 Cadillac DeVille for SEMA also sports 22" wheels which challenged Campbell in his design to lower the car's frame.

"This was my first year at SEMA so it's really, really a big deal for me, like a dream come true." Based on the east coast in Charlotte, North Carolina, Campbell worked with Show Cars Inc. to assist him with advertising and bringing the 1966 DeVille to Vegas.

I actually call the 1966 Cadillac DeVille God's Gift now because every time I didn't think I would be able to finish the car for SEMA, something would come along and help me again.

Campbell also reported to K&N that the Cadillac has very special meaning to him as the build process had its bumps along the road to completion. "I had to sell another project car I had, a 1963 Impala, that was full custom project, but I had to finish this Caddy for SEMA. I actually call the car "God's Gift" now because every time I didn't think I would be able to finish the car, something would come along and help me again; I thank God for that." Campbell told K&N that his next step of the project was to outfit the trunk with a larger and better sound system.

Campbell also mentioned his use and support of K&N products. "I love their products - good looks and great performance at the same time. Their universal air filter looks great on there. I have used K&N on pretty much all of my cars from old cars to up to date new cars I love the sound [K&N] makes also."

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 at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada

15.11.2011

K&N SEMA 2011 Booth

K&N SEMA Vehicle - Roland Sands flat track Desmosedici Ducati

Recently K&N was in attendance at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas. With hundreds of manufacturers, builders, racers and retailers, K&N brought in some of the best and exciting vehicles around.

K&N SEMA Vehicle - Roland Sands custom built bike "El Borracho"

K&N SEMA Vehicle - Mercedes dragster

K&N SEMA Vehicle - Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR Ford Mustang

For four days K&N showed off some of the hottest new intakes and filter products on the market while displaying a range of vehicles including a never before run Mercedes dragster and Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR Mustang. The K&N booth was also sporting a Roland Sands flat track Desmosedici Ducati and a Roland Sands custom built bike "El Borracho."

Along with the displayed booth vehicles, K&N also had the opportunity to show visitors the benefits of K&N air filters and oil filters. "It is a great ability for K&N to connect with its customers and potential new dealers both domestically and internationally," said James Johnston a K&N Product Specialist. "SEMA also provides us a great opportunity to show our dealers the level of support and promotion K&N is willing to provide for them." With SEMA being one of the largest automotive events of the year K&N received plenty of exposure, especially for its newest products including intake systems for the 2011-2012 5.0L Mustang, and the new 2010-2011 Dodge 6.7L Cummins Diesel Motor.

"The Sema show atmosphere was so great, and meeting all the K&N supporters was an awesome experience," said Katie Thomason a K&N Product Specialist. "I can't wait till next year." K&N is scheduled to attend next year's show with all the new products for the most exciting and hottest vehicles.

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.

Dan Sheridan's Huge Win at Santa Maria's Bud Stanfield Memorial

15.11.2011

Danny "Showtime" Sheridan of Santa Maria, Calif. won the September 17th "Bud Stanfield Memorial" This race is part of the West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series that has grown to become a part of the United States Auto Club (USAC). "It's always nice to come home and win a race in front of my hometown. I have family, friends and sponsors who can't always take time off work or have other plans that limit the amount of travel they can do so whenever I have a chance to come home and race I Love it!" said Sheridan after coming off his first main event win of the season where he overtook Bud Keading on the 27th lap for the first position which he held onto for the win.

Danny Sheridan at Santa Maria's "Bud Stanfield Memorial"

As the 2011 season comes to a close and this article goes to press Dan has had 2 heat race wins, 1 main event win and 3 top five finishes. Every year Sheridan and his team Kittle Motorsports seem to be looking for a USAC championship. This year was no exception "Our season got off to a rough start," Sheridan told K&N news, "we changed chassis this year and it took a few races to figure out the new cars. Once we figured out what makes our new cars work we have been very tough every night. I really like the new Sherman Chassis and wish we made the change sooner cause these cars suit my driving style."

When we asked if there was one race this year that he didn't win that really bothered him he said "Any race I don't win bothers me! The biggest one this year was Calistoga. We had a strong car both nights, leading the Friday night feature with a big lead until a lap car had issues in front of me while leading. Then Saturday night we had a car to beat but had a failure... Every time we are at Calistoga we are FAST it just seems like we can't seal the deal...THAT BOTHERS ME."

Where does your motivation to win come from?
"My motivation to win is simple, be the best you can every time you hit the track and the rest will fall into place. I'm very hard on myself and I'm very competitive so at the end of the day if I give 110% I expect to get 110%."

If you had the opportunity to meet someone famous who would it be?
"I'm a huge St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, I would love to meet Albert Pujols he's an amazing athlete!!! 3 homeruns in one game, who does that?"

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.

Andy Forsberg Wins Second Championship of 2011 at the Civil War Series Championship

15.11.2011

Andy Forsberg and the F&F Racing team rolled into Placerville, California, anxious to get the Civil War Finale underway, and for good reason. Having already earned a championship in the Placerville 360 Sprint series, the team was leading the points race in the 360 Civil War Series by an impressive margin going into the final event of the season. That said, all the driver had to do to cinch his second 2011 championship was start the thirty-lap feature. Once the green flag waved, Forsberg and the F&F X1 were officially the champions.

After recently rolling his car and sustaining a dislocated shoulder, the driver rolled into Placerville, California two weeks later, where he won the Civil War Series Championship.

Although the driver pretty well had the championship wrapped up prior to the beginning of the race, however small the odds might have been, there was always a slight chance that the car could have malfunctioned prior to the start. That said, Andy and his team were still somewhat nervous until the waving of the green flag and he began forward progress.

"I always am a bit nervous," explained Forsberg. "I've been around racing my whole life, and have seen some real crazy and heartbreaking things happen to drivers, so I know the same can always happen to me. The F&F X1team does everything they can to prepare the car for every race, so there wasn't anything more they could do to prepare for the final points show."

Forsberg continued, "Having a great team is everything, and this year is proof of that. You can do well with an incomplete team, but in order to have the kind of season we had, all aspects of the team have to be working at one-hundred percent. Getting hooked up with F&F X1 was the most important part of 2011,"he continued. "We were fast immediately, and things with the A&A Motorsport #92 410 sprint, and my family-owned #92 sprint just seemed to follow suit. All three teams were able to bounce things off of each other, and it helped us to improve through the season."

Although Andy Forsberg obviously experienced his fair share of success this season, there were tense moments throughout 2011 as well, the most memorable, more than .likely being a scare at the USAC portion of the Cold Cup in Chico, California. Upon making a slight miscalculation coming off of the third turn of the final lap of his heat, Forsberg flipped his car. Not only was the car destroyed, but Forsberg suffered a dislocated shoulder as well.

Fortunately, the driver had a short break prior to his next race. "Having a week off was probably good for me just to re-cupe a little," explained Forsberg. I raced the two nights after I hurt my shoulder, so I definitely could have raced the following week if I needed to. I wasn't at one-hundred percent, but once I get in the car, I don't even think about the pain. I just get out there and try to get the job done."

When asked if his success will have a positive impact on the 2012 season, Forsberg said, "I sure hope so. I know you can go out and dominate year after year, but reality will eventually set in and you may take two steps backward. We are going to work hard, and try to win even more races next year, and hope we can repeat the championships as well."

An experienced driver, Andy Forsberg is acutely aware that proper maintenance also played a huge roll in his success. In fact, according to the driver, a portion of their checkered flags was a result of maintaining their vehicle better than other teams. "You have to win these races if you want to run for a championship," explained Forsberg. "There were a few times this year when we gained positions because other drivers had issues with their cars. They say you win races in the shop."

"I started driving sprint cars in 1994, when I took over driving from my dad, Richard. He used K&N air filters, and I didn't change a thing. We also use the (K&N) filter oil, filter cleaning solution, and oil filters. I could not ask for anything more. We absolutely have no problems with our engines as far as K&N products are concerned, and when we don't have motor problems, it keeps us on the track to compete for more wins."

When asked if there was a message that he would like to relay to his sponsors and fans, Andy Forsberg was quick to say, "A big thank you!" We don't have one big sponsor that foots the bills for us to race, but we do have a large group of local businesses and friends that do what they can to keep all three cars on the track. If not for all of those people, I know we couldn't have been as successful as we were this year. And to all of the fans; as a racer, I understand it's not cheap to take your family to watch a sprint car race, and I appreciate them spending their hard-earned money to come watch me and others race. We need every last one of them to support these venues. Without the fans, there is no racing. It's our jobs as racers to put on good shows, so they want to come back and support the sport."

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.