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The simple goal for the Swanson Motorsports team last year was to improve over the previous year; finishing in the top five would have been an acceptable goal. They exceeded their expectations big time, finishing second in points, with a realistic shot at first, going into the last race of the season.
Cody Swanson chewing up the dirt in his USAC Ford Focus California Dirt Series car
"I am honored to be named the most improved driver for our efforts in the 2009 season, we worked very hard this year," says Anaheim, California resident Cody Swanson. "All of this would not have been possible without some awesome help and support from our great sponsors and friends," adds Swanson. We use K&N air filters, breather filters and oil filters on our racecar, family cars, and tow vehicles. They work great and are very easy to service."
"I was really excited about our past season and how well we did in the championship. It was a complete surprise when they announced my name as the "Most Improved Driver." We really weren't expecting that. I think titles such as this one are very important to have throughout your driving career, so I was pretty happy to get it. Getting the second place in the championship was also very cool for me, because it was only my second year driving this type of car. The Ford Focus Series was very competitive this year, so a second place in points is an accomplishment for me, and something to build on."
Given the ideal set of circumstances, Swanson would like to be able to move back east within the next few years, and drive for one of the major USAC National Sprint and Midget teams. "I think that would put me in a good position to help me succeed to the next level of professional racing someday," reflects Swanson.
Testing his new ride the Beast Pavement Midget
The Swanson family has their roots in Minnesota. Swanson Motorsports was in fact inspired by Grandpa (Chuck) Swanson, who spent many summer evenings racing his '30 Model "A" jalopy on the dirt track of Princeton Speedway. In the late ‘70's, after moving the family to Southern California, Cody's father Kirk, and his two brothers, Chris and Danny, began racing dirt bikes across the desert southwest, ultimately passing the racing bug, and genes, to the newest generation of Swanson boys, Cody and his younger brother Jake.
Kirk works for K&N, in the R&D department and we wondered if having your father work for one of your key sponsors presented any unique challenges. "I think it comes in both handy and it can create a little pressure at times," says Swanson. "It comes in handy because having my dad working for K&N is how I originally received the sponsorship. And it also helps that my dad has all the knowledge of the K&N filters, ensuring that our motor always stays clean and runs properly. But, it creates a little pressure sometimes, because I always want to do my very best and represent K&N well."
Swanson is extremely excited about the coming race season, he is moving up and out of the USAC Ford Focus Series, into the USAC Western States Midget Series. He will be driving for Tres Van Dyne, of Van Dyne Engineering, at all of the pavement races, driving their Beast Pavement Midget, powered by a Van Dyne Chevy engine.
"Then, we will be running our own K&N sponsored car powered by a Van Dyne Chevy on the dirt," say Swanson. "We have teamed up with the Van Dynes' (Tres and Stewart) and will be making an attempt at Rookie of the Year Honors, and hopefully win a few races. It is going to be a fun year and we will be starting it at Perris Auto Speedway for the National and Western States Midget race on February 27th."
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Toyota Tundra's are a real joy to drive. These full-size trucks were made for heavy tasks and can take the rigorous abuse of daily challenges. It's 5.7L V8 engine gives an adequate amount of power and torque for most applications.
Air Intake System for 2007 to 2011 Toyota Tundra with 5.7L engine.
K&N has released an air intake system (63-9031-1) that gives
these Toyota Tundra models the option of gaining even more horsepower and torque.
This K&N air intake replaces the restrictive factory air box and air filter with a custom intake tube and high-flow air filter. The 63-9031-1 is equipped with a non-metallic intake tube that smoothes and straightens air-flow to dramatically reduce intake restriction.
K&N design takes advantage of the extra space under the Tundra's hood by using
a large chrome top air filter, part
RF-1042.
This K&N air filter is washable and reusable. The air filter and air intake
are designed to last for the life of your Toyota Tundra.
The 63-9031-1 comes with a powder coated steel heat shield that isolates the filter from the rest of the engine compartment. This directs cooler air toward the air filter. Installation of the 63-9031-1 air intake system is made simple with K&N's detailed instructions. This cold air intake system attaches using all existing mounting points and can be done in 90 minutes or less.
More power is always nice when passing, pulling loads or just getting up a
steep incline. Dyno testing of the 63-9031-1 revealed a remarkable 13.05 horsepower gain at 5282 rpm. K&N air intake systems come with a million mile limited warranty and offer an economical performance add-on for your cherished Toyota Tundra.
Replacement Air Filter for Kawasaki VN1700 Vulcan models
The Kawasaki VN1700 Vulcan motorcycle series is equipped with the first ever electronic throttle valve standard on a Kawasaki bike. The VN1700 is designed with a powerful SOHC (single overhead cam) 1700cc V-Twin engine that screams performance and power. With its powerful engine, more precise throttle control, increased fuel economy, and overall smooth ride the 2009 Kawasaki VN1700 separates itself from other touring bikes.
K&N took the 2009 to 2016 Kawasaki VN1700 Vulcan motorcycle and engineered a replacement air filter (KA-1709) to fit the Voyager, Nomad, Classic and Classic LT models. K&N motorcycle air filters are designed for added torque and power while providing excellent filtration. The KA-1709 air filter's unique design allows it to fit directly into the factory airbox without any cutting or fitting. This makes adding performance to your Kawasaki VN1700 as easy as replacing the OE air filter with K&N's high-flow cotton air filter.
2009 to 2016 Kawasaki VN1700 Vulcan owners, who have the Voyager, Nomad, Classic or Classic LT models, can take advantage of K&N's washable/reusable lifetime air filter. The KA-1709 replacement air filter is backed by the famous K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty™ and will be the last air filter your VN1700 will ever need. K&N made installation of this performance motorcycle air filter very easy with detailed instructions that walk you through the entire process.
K&N's KA-1709 is designed to replace the Kawasaki 110130031 OE air filter used in these specific models. To find K&N products for your motorcycle or any other vehicle use the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.
The Mellow Insanity Racing family has been racing together since Chad was born.
To those who don't know Mellow Insanity Racing, the name alone would likely make one think twice before stopping by their pit area at the local track. But if you ask those who know Wayne, Linda, and Chad Axford, it's simply about friends and family having fun together. Friends, as long as they are not sitting in a race car in the opposing lane at Sacramento Raceway.
Named after a favorite garage band from the late 60's, Mellow Insanity Racing has a lot going on. The Axford family has been racing together for 20 years or since Chad was born. All three hold regular jobs. Wayne is a mechanic, Chad the manager of an auto supply store and Linda is a special education teacher, all in addition to their busy race schedule.
The foundation of Mellow Insanity Racing was poured when the drag racing bug bit Wayne around 1980. He decided one day that he would take his 1967 Volkswagen Bug to the local drag strip to see what it could do. The rest, as they say, is history. Currently, at an estimated 300 horsepower, it is one rowdy ride and boogies down the quarter mile in about 11.5 seconds.
Like dad, Chad's interest in racing began at an early age. At 14, he decided that he wanted to start racing so they purchased a junior dragster which put out roughly 50 horsepower. Racing it since 2003, the highlight of his career so far is claiming the title of 2006 Western Conference Junior Dragster Champion.
He has since traded in the junior dragster for a full size ride and has campaigned a 1998 Uyehara dragster since early last year. With an estimated 850 to 900 horsepower motor and with a few easy modifications, Chad can run in several different classes depending on the racing event. He has run as fast as 165 mph, chewing the quarter mile in just over 9 seconds. Even this early in the 2010 racing year, he already has a Sacramento Super Pro win under his belt. His ultimate racing goal is to drive a Pro Stock car on the NHRA circuit. Presently Chad is studying at a local community college and his immediate plans are to attend the California Highway Patrol Academy this July.
Chad and his father's race cars are both protected by K&N air and oil filters. Chad says both of their tow vehicles have K&N air intake systems for extra performance. "The truth is, I have never known anything other than K&N. Our family has always believed in taking care of our cars both on and off the track. In this house, if it needs a filter, it gets a K&N."
If you're in Northern California, look for Mellow Insanity at these events:
February 15 - Super Pro - Chad - Infineon Raceway
February 28 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
March 7 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
March 14 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
March 14 - Wayne/ Chad - NASA - Sacramento Raceway
March 28 - Wayne / Chad - NASA - Sacramento Raceway
March 28 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
April 3 - Super Pro - Chad - Infineon Raceway
April 11 - NASA Pro VW - Wayne / Chad - Sacramento Raceway
April 18 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
May 1 & 2 - Super Pro / Super Comp - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
May 15 - NASA Pro VW - Wayne / Chad - Sacramento Raceway
June 26 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
June 26 - NASA - Wayne / Chad - Sacramento Raceway
July 16 thru 18 - Super Comp - Chad - Infineon Raceway
July 23 thru 25 - Super Comp - Chad - Infineon Raceway
August 21 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
September 4 & 5 - Bug O Rama - Wayne - Sacramento Raceway
September 19 - NASA Pro VW - Wayne / Chad - Sacramento Raceway
Sept 29 thru Oct 3 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
October 10 - NASA Pro VW - Wayne / Chad - Sacramento Raceway
Youngest son Jared in the pits before warm-ups at Hagerstown Speedway
The Umbenhauer Racing camp has been hectic preparing for the coming race season. Jordan Umbenhauer from Reading, Pennsylvania has been busy building a car for his youngest son, 17-year-old Jared, to race in the Sportsman Class at Big Diamond Raceway in Pennsylvania. He's also working on his oldest son's car, 21-year-old Jordan Jr., plus Rick Clay's Big Block, which will be driven by Billy Pauch Jr., and in his spare time, which is at a premium these days, Jordan works on his own car.
Jordan (Jr.) racing at Hagerstown Speedway
"Overall I think our '09 season went well, says Umbenhauer. "I had a few top fives. My son Jared finished second in the Sportsman Coal Cracker 50, while Jordan (Jr.) finished sixth."
"Jared also won his first Sportsman Race last year. Jordan did well in his rookie season up at Big Diamond Raceway; finishing 11th in points for the season, and he came away with some top ten finishes too. He also placed tenth in the BPG Freedom 76 (referred to as "The Granddaddy" of major short track dirt modified racing events) in his first time racing at Grandview Speedway (Bechtelville, Pennsylvania). Overall a good season for the family."
Jordan racing at Grandview Speedway
"Our relationship with K&N is amazing. We love the way the air and oil filters are working for our cars and love the support that K&N has given us over the season."
"Our plans for the upcoming 2010 season are for Jordan to race fulltime at Grandview Speedway in the 358 Modified Division. Jared will compete weekly up at Big Diamond Raceway, in the Sportsman Class, in a new family car. I will run select shows throughout the season, giving more time for my sons to compete and advance in the racing world," concludes Umbenhauer.
