K&N News - January 30, 2009 4:00 AM - 139011
K&N News January 23, 2009 3:00 AM - January 30, 2009 4:00 AM <http://www.knfilters.com/images/KNLogo.gif> _____ CORPORATE NEWS _____ Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Championship Held at Race and Peformance Expo <http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=1784> Thursday - January 29, 2009 3:10 PM The Race and Performance Expo is the largest trade show of its type in the Midwestern United States. One of the exhibitions in 2009 will be the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Championship. Race and Performance Expo hosts Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Championship <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/expo1.jpg> Race and Performance Expo hosts Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Championship On February 14 and 15 eight high school teams will compete on Saturday and six community college teams will compete on Sunday for the championship. The different teams are made up of invited students from auto technology classes. High School and Junior College Teams will compete at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/expo3.jpg> High School and Junior College Teams will compete at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois K&N is sponsoring Joliet Junior College and will send K&N shirts, hats and banners for the group. Each team consists of five students and one instructor. The groups tear down identically prepared small block Chevy engines the way pit crews do at drag races. Students have to disassemble engines using hand tools. Air cleaner, carb, distributor wires, spark plugs, manifold, headers, heads, lifters, rocker arms, push rods, timing chains and covers, along with K&N oil filters, oil pans, oil pumps and all eight pistons come off. The cams and cranks remain in the engine blocks. The teams then reassemble under correct assembly procedures and torque specs under the watchful eyes of judges and spectators. There are penalties for dropped components, improper tear downs, rebuilds and improper sportsmanship. After the engine reassembly is complete they must fire up and run. The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge will take place at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx> then use the K&N dealer search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/dealersearch.aspx> to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. [Email This Story - Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Championship Held at Race and Peformance Expo] <http://www.knfilters.com/news/email.aspx?ID=1784> _____ Hot Rod Power Tour Driver will Take 1994 Pontiac Firebird on the Ultimate Road Trip <http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=1779> Tuesday - January 27, 2009 9:12 AM Road trips take on a whole new meaning on the Hot Rod Power Tour. On its 15th anniversary the 2009 Power Tour will kick off June 6 in Madison, Wisconsin at the Alliant Energy Center. On Sunday June 7 it moves to Racine, Wisconsin. 1994 Pontiac Firebird on the Hot Rod Power Tour <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/power1.jpg> 1994 Pontiac Firebird on the Hot Rod Power Tour The multi-state road trip rolls on through Chicago to South Bend, Indiana on June 8, at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds, then to the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan on June 9. The group plans to show support to the American automotive industry in Detroit. The tour continues to Dayton, Ohio at the University of Dayton Arena on June 10 and Somerset, Kentucky at The Center for Rural Development on June 11. A few of the participants take a break in Michigan on the Hot Rod Power Tour <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/power2.jpg> A few of the participants take a break in Michigan on the Hot Rod Power Tour Bob Proulx left and friends on the Hot Rod Power Tour <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/power3.jpg> Bob Proulx left and friends on the Hot Rod Power Tour The group of Camaro's Cadillac DeVille's, Dodge Challengers and many more makes and models will finish at Thunder Mountain at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. Bob Proulx plans to be on the tour with his 1994 Pontiac Firebird. The St. Louis, Missouri engineer began going on the tour in 2001 and is considered a long-hauler. Long-haulers complete the entire tour where others join it and drop out along the way. "If the price of gas stays the way it is we'll get a lot more people this year," said Proulx. "The numbers were down last year because of gas prices. A lot of these guys drive the real hot rod muscle cars and it gets expensive." Collectable and vintage automotives rumble through the streets. It is not your typical auto show because the cars are not behind yellow tape. Spectators touch cars and drivers go through bad weather in their prized possessions. "My Firebird typically gets used once in a while on weekends," he said. "But this year, I'll enjoy taking it on the Hot Rod Power Tour. I have a K&N air filter on my Pontiac Firebird and I enjoy the extra power and filtration. I expect to get 22 to 23 mph on the highway on the Power Tour." Drivers from all over the world are expected to register and participate in this year's event. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx> then use the K&N dealer search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/dealersearch.aspx> to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. [Email This Story - Hot Rod Power Tour Driver will Take 1994 Pontiac Firebird on the Ultimate Road Trip] <http://www.knfilters.com/news/email.aspx?ID=1779> _____ Autosport International 2009 in England is Showcase for International Audience <http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=1778> Tuesday - January 27, 2009 7:26 AM The National Exhibition Center in Birmingham, England hosted Autosport International, The Racing Car Show. For 19 years, it has been regarded as a showcase event for the UK and European motorsports industry. It is open to both automotive industry insiders as well as the public. ARC4 Racing Vehicle in K&N Booth at Autosport International 2009 <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/autosport1.jpg> ARC4 Racing Vehicle in K&N Booth at Autosport International 2009 K&N Showcase at the Autosport International Show for both a trade and public audience <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/autosport4.jpg> K&N Showcase at the Autosport International Show for both a trade and public audience The show spotlighted more than 850 exhibitors including K&N, who are all directly involved in or connected with motorsports, performance engineering, historic motorsports, Karting and the aftermarket industry. KIA Medical Vehicle at K&N Booth at the National Exhibition Center in Birmingham, United Kingdom <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/autosport2.jpg> KIA Medical Vehicle at K&N Booth at the National Exhibition Center in Birmingham, United Kingdom K&N Sponsored ARC4 Racing Vehicle on view for 28,000 trade buyers including over 4,500 visitors from 58 countries at Autosport International Show <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/autosport3.jpg> K&N Sponsored ARC4 Racing Vehicle on view for 28,000 trade buyers including over 4,500 visitors from 58 countries at Autosport International Show The K&N booth featured an ARC4 racing car and a stock KIA medical vehicle. Both were fitted with K&N filters. K&N reps from the UK answered questions about product from attendees. "The K&N booth reps found product for customers on line and through the K&N catalogue," said K&N International Business Manager Kevin Floody. "People also came to see and take pictures of the ARC4 Racing vehicle." There are more than one million square feet of space at the NEC in the UK. During Autosport International 2009, more than 28,000 trade buyers attended with more than 4,500 visitors from 58 countries. The show is considered one of the largest and most influential motorsport exhibitions in the world. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx> then use the K&N dealer search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/dealersearch.aspx> to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. [Email This Story - Autosport International 2009 in England is Showcase for International Audience] <http://www.knfilters.com/news/email.aspx?ID=1778> _____ RACING NEWS _____ NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Race for Lindsey Wood in Florida <http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=1783> Thursday - January 29, 2009 1:02 PM NHRA Sportsman Class racer Lindsey Wood begins her 2009 season in February at a Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Bradenton Motorsport Park in Bradenton, Florida. 1957 Corvette driven by Lindsey Wood <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/wood1.jpg> 1957 Corvette driven by Lindsey Wood The McAlpin, Florida resident said she is excited about her 2009 season because she will be participating in Super Comp and Super Gas races. Her first National event will be at Gainesville, Florida. Bradenton Motorsports Park's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event will take place in February for Lindsey Wood <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/wood2.jpg> Bradenton Motorsports Park's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event will take place in February for Lindsey Wood Lindsey Wood's first NHRA national race of 2009 will take place in Gainesville, Florida <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/wood3.jpg> Lindsey Wood's first NHRA national race of 2009 will take place in Gainesville, Florida "I'm going to win this year," said Wood. "We put together a new motor and I'm really excited." Her Super Comp car is a 2006 Undercover Dragster built by Matt Driskell with a 632 cubic inch big block. Her 1957 Don Davis Corvette is powered by a Jeff Taylor 509 cubic inch big block. Wood has used K&N products for years. "K&N works every time we take it on the track," she said. "K&N keeps the dirt out of our engines." Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx> then use the K&N dealer search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/dealersearch.aspx> to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. [Email This Story - NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Race for Lindsey Wood in Florida] <http://www.knfilters.com/news/email.aspx?ID=1783> _____ Annual Chili Bowl Nationals Rough for K&N Sponsored Racer in K&N Filters Midget <http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=1782> Thursday - January 29, 2009 7:17 AM Ryan Kaplan of Corey Tucker/Bryan Clauson Racing drove the K&N Filters midget at the 23rd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals. K&N Sponsored racer Ryan Kaplan with his K&N Filters Midget at the Chili Bowl Nationals <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/chili4.jpg> K&N Sponsored racer Ryan Kaplan with his K&N Filters Midget at the Chili Bowl Nationals Brake problems hurt Ryan Kaplan at the Chili Bowl Nationals <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/chili5.jpg> Brake problems hurt Ryan Kaplan at the Chili Bowl Nationals Kaplan had a rough qualifying night due to brake problems. "We were having trouble with the brakes gripping and letting go inconsistently in the C main," he said. "I transferred out of that race and we put new brake pads in the rear caliper because they were glazed over." Ryan Kaplan will run the K&N Filters car during USAC Midget Week <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/chili6.jpg> Ryan Kaplan will run the K&N Filters car during USAC Midget Week Quick Trip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway in Oklahoma hosted the 23rd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/chili3.jpg> Quick Trip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway in Oklahoma hosted the 23rd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals Kaplan pushed out to try and make it to the B main his brakes caused problems again. "I ended up missing the transfer from the B to the A main and that set me up to start in the F main on Saturday," he said. "We eventually figured out my trick titanium brake rotor was actually causing my problem." The light weight rotor was glazing up the pads instead of working properly. The crew switched it out with a standard steel rotor and new pads. Kaplan's brakes worked perfectly after that. At the start of the F main, Kaplan jumped from fifth to third and was in a good position to transfer. "I decided to run the bottom and that is where I stayed for the remainder of the race," he said. "I ended up slipping off the bottom on the track and missing out on the third place spot. I was in fourth place unchallenged until I hit turn three on the white flag lap." Kaplan then saw a car on the top side making its move to pass. At the same time the car in front of him checked. He made a last chance bid to stay in the top four but ended up getting bounced into sixth place. Kaplan will be driving the K&N Filters midget at USAC Midget Week, the Belleville Midget Nationals, Knoxville Midget Nationals and a number of other events. Kaplan has worked with K&N for more than three years. "K&N makes the best and most reliable air and oil filters on the market," he said. "K&N keeps our motors running great." Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx> then use the K&N dealer search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/dealersearch.aspx> to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. [Email This Story - Annual Chili Bowl Nationals Rough for K&N Sponsored Racer in K&N Filters Midget] <http://www.knfilters.com/news/email.aspx?ID=1782> _____ X Games Rally Driver Ready for Sno Drift Winter Rally in Northern Michigan <http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=1781> Wednesday - January 28, 2009 3:47 PM The Sno Drift winter rally returns to northern Michigan at the end of January and NOS Energy rally driver Andrew "ACP" Comrie-Picard is considered one of the top bets for the win. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X will compete in 2009 Rally America Campaign <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/acp19.jpg> Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X will compete in 2009 Rally America Campaign ACP will kick off his 2009 Rally America campaign in Michigan on January 30-31. "Growing up on the prairies, I had plenty of opportunity to master winter conditions," said Comrie-Picard. "I love Sno Drift, dragging the tail through a snow bank at 130 mph is the essence of winter rally." X Games Rally Drive Andrew Comrie Picard kicks off 2009 with Sno Drift Winter Rally in Michigan <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/acp20.jpg> X Games Rally Drive Andrew Comrie Picard kicks off 2009 with Sno Drift Winter Rally in Michigan Team ACP has developed a reputation as a winter-weather threat. Comrie-Picard took the win at Sno Drift in 2006 and finished second overall at the event last year. "Winter driving is about taking calculated risks," said Comrie-Picard. "Success means taking as few chances as possible in conditions that can kick you really hard if you make a mistake." From deep snow to glare ice ACP said he is equipped to face a whole range of track conditions. Comrie-Picard and co-driver Marc Goldfarb will contest Sno Drift in the NOS Energy Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. The team is also developing a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X that they debuted last November in Canada. Team ACP Rally uses K&N Engineering products on their vehicles. "I've used K&N since I began Rally racing ten years ago," said Comrie-Picard. "We compete under tough conditions, with dust, mud and water splashes. We do the most extreme things we can do in a car and K&N is the perfect formula for our turbo charged motors. There is no compromise with K&N." The Rally America national championship includs nine events across the country, which begins with Sno Drift and wraps up in October with the Lake Superior Performance Rally. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx> then use the K&N dealer search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/dealersearch.aspx> to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. [Email This Story - X Games Rally Driver Ready for Sno Drift Winter Rally in Northern Michigan] <http://www.knfilters.com/news/email.aspx?ID=1781> _____ Pro Pulling League Brothers Ready 1941 Dodge and 2008 Chevy for Competition <http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=1780> Wednesday - January 28, 2009 9:32 AM Brothers Jared and Jeremy Nelson compete in the Pro Pulling League's Super Modified 2WD Truck Class. Jared drives a 2008 Chevrolet named Midnight Revenger and Jeremy drives a 1941 Dodge Panel Van named the Midnight Gambler. 1941 Dodge Panel Van named The Midnight Gambler in the Pro Pulling League's Super Modified 2WD Truck Class <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/ppl5.jpg> 1941 Dodge Panel Van named The Midnight Gambler in the Pro Pulling League's Super Modified 2WD Truck Class "In competition we pull a big sled hook-up device that weighs anywhere from 40 to 60 thousand pounds," said Nelson. "Our tracks are 300 feet and as our trucks pull, the sled transfers more weight from the rear of the sled to the front of the track. We are hooked up to a short chain and as we apply more force on the front of the sled, it gets harder to pull as we go farther and farther down the track." The box and the pan are the two major components of the sled. The weight comes from multiples of lead blocks inside the box. 2008 Chevrolet named The Midnight Revenger in the Pro Pulling League's Super Modified 2WD Truck Class <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/ppl4.jpg> 2008 Chevrolet named The Midnight Revenger in the Pro Pulling League's Super Modified 2WD Truck Class In the Pro Pulling League competitors are hooked up to a weight transfer known as a sled. <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/ppl3.jpg> In the Pro Pulling League competitors are hooked up to a weight transfer known as a sled. Jared Nelson was the 2006 Pro Puller of the Year with his 2004 Chevrolet. "We put in a new rear end on our new 2008 model and a new computer system," he said. "We hope these modifications help us pull straight and far." In the Super Modified 2WD Truck Class vehicles sit low to the ground in competition. "We push to the edge and have a tendency to blow up parts," said Nelson. "It's easy to tear up a motor in the Pro Pulling Leage. One thing that saves us every time is our K&N oil filters. K&N stops debris from tearing up our engines. K&N oil filters hold up in the harshest conditions. I've been using K&N for almost seven years and won't use anything else." In 2008 the brothers took 2nd and 5th place overall in the Illinois State Pro Pulling League group. The Altamont, Illinois brothers plan to hit all the PPL events in 2009. "We skipped a few events last year because of the price of gas," said Jared Nelson. "My brother has a farm and I run a trucking company and it was tough to attend everything. I've been pulling for 12 years even though the PPL officially began four years ago. The bottom line is we're officially addicted." The Nelson's say it's a great way to spend time with their families. "We travel together and get to know everyone on the circuit," said Jared. "It's like a racing community. When we're off season all we talk about is the first PPL competition of the season. It's a lot of fun." Their first Pro Pulling League event in 2009 will be in May at the Concord Motorsport Park in Concord, North Carolina. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx> then use the K&N dealer search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/dealersearch.aspx> to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. [Email This Story - Pro Pulling League Brothers Ready 1941 Dodge and 2008 Chevy for Competition] <http://www.knfilters.com/news/email.aspx?ID=1780> _____ Texas Race Car Engine Builder Tracy Dennis Has Racing in His Blood <http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=1776> Monday - January 26, 2009 1:08 PM Tracy Dennis was born a third generation racer and traveled to his first drag race before his first birthday. "Racing has been my life forever," says Dennis. "My father raced gassers in NHRA from the late 50's until the early 70's. My brothers and I raced dirt bikes and go karts. We always had to do our own maintenance and service, so we learned quickly about engines and race vehicles." Tracy Dennis started out in the family garage, building engines and doing chassis fabrication for his father. <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/T-Dennis.jpg> Tracy Dennis started out in the family garage, building engines and doing chassis fabrication for his father. After graduating high school, Dennis worked at the family garage, building engines and doing chassis fabrication for his father. What started as a way of making extra money to support his race cars became a career in 1990 when he opened his own shop. Sunset Racecraft has become one of the premier performance and racing engine shops in the world. Located in Lubbock, Texas, Sunset turns out around 500 engines a year, which are shipped to champion race car drivers worldwide. Dennis not only builds race engines, he races them as well. "Racing allows us to keep a feel for what the drivers need in product development and permits us to service what products we already have in the field," says Dennis. "Along with many world champions, we also have some of the fastest Top Sportsman and Top Dragster racers using our engines." Sunset Racecraft has relied on K&N products for over 20 years. "When you build engines with over 2000 hp that can cost over $60,000, the last thing you want is a filter failure," says Dennis. "We send out every Sunset Racing Engine with a K&N filter and insist that our customers use them when servicing their engines to insure a long life." Dennis discovered a performance gain along with longer cylinder life and ring seal, just another reason he recommends K&N. "We recently tested the new dragster scoops on our TNT house car and found a 2 mph gain." Dennis feels that the relationship between Sunset Racecraft and K&N has been a successful one. "I need products that protect my engines and increase performance. Sunset will continue to rely on the experts at K&N to supply products that protect our customer's investments for years to come." Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx> then use the K&N dealer search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/dealersearch.aspx> to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. [Email This Story - Texas Race Car Engine Builder Tracy Dennis Has Racing in His Blood] <http://www.knfilters.com/news/email.aspx?ID=1776> _____ Quadriplegic Clay Egan is an Inspirational Racer with Real Success in Rockcrawling <http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=1775> Monday - January 26, 2009 12:46 PM Clay Egan finished 3rd at the ProRock Nationals in Cougar Buttes <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/clay2.jpg> Clay Egan finished 3rd at the ProRock Nationals in Cougar Buttes 36 year old Clay Egan started competing professionally in the extreme sport of rock crawling and rock racing six years ago. Since then, he has qualified and competed in four Supercrawl world championships and finished seventh in the nation in the 2006 United Rockcrawling and Off-Road Challenge (UROC) series. In September of 2008, he finished 3rd at the ProRock Nationals in Cougar Buttes, California. The sky is the limit for this inspirational racer who demonstrates an intense lust for life. 36 year old rockcrawler Clay Egan with his truck. <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/clay1.jpg> 36 year old Rockcrawler Clay Egan with his truck. Clay Egan in a rockcrawling competition. <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/clay3.jpg> Clay Egan in a rockcrawling competition. Egan is the first and only quadriplegic in the world to compete professionally in extreme sports. He is paralyzed from the chest down with limited use of his arms and hands as a result of motorcycle accident when he was 22 years old. He is able to race using custom built vehicles and sees it as a continuation of the life he was already living before his accident. Clay also plays wheelchair rugby and hunts regularly. On his website, Clay says, "I've found new ways to be stealthy and sly while on the hunt. You just gotta get real creative!" He started racing motorcross quads 20 years ago and says he always used K&N filters on his bikes. "They are really easy to use, easy to clean, and are very durable. When I started competing professionally, I used K&N air filters to deliver superior results. They are super easy to take on and off and have excellent air flow." Since his accident, Egan has written a book entitled "Over the Top, The Clay Egan Story." He recently finished a screenplay entitled "PUSH, The Clay Egan Story," and is hoping to have it in production within the next year. Located in South Jordan, Utah, Egan is also a public speaker and is working on a TV program that highlights people in extreme sports with disabilities. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx> then use the K&N dealer search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/dealersearch.aspx> to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. [Email This Story - Quadriplegic Clay Egan is an Inspirational Racer with Real Success in Rockcrawling] <http://www.knfilters.com/news/email.aspx?ID=1775> _____ Fastrak Champions Series Season Opener at Modoc Speedway in South Carolina <http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=1777> Monday - January 26, 2009 12:06 PM The Fastrak Champions Series Modoc 100 kicks off March 6 and 7 at Modoc Speedway in Modoc, South Carolina and Matt Long will be ready with a brand new Rocket Chassis. 2009 season opener for Matt Long at the Modoc 100 at the Modoc Speedway in South Carolina will pay $10,000 to win <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/mattl1.jpg> 2009 season opener for Matt Long at the Modoc 100 at the Modoc Speedway in South Carolina will pay $10,000 to win Long and his GazZu Energy Drink Race Team are spending the off-season preparing for the 2009 campaign. "I am pretty excited about the new car," said Matt Long. "It is the new design that Mark Richards has out and it has done very well in pre-season testing. We hope to come out of the box with a really solid piece. We really learned a lot last year and I think we certainly stepped up our performance from where we were two years ago." Matt Long and the GazZu Energy Drink Race Team will have a new chassis for the 2009 Fastrak Champions Series <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/mattl2.jpg> Matt Long and the GazZu Energy Drink Race Team will have a new chassis for the 2009 Fastrak Champions Series Long continues to use K&N products on his machine. "My engine performed flawlessly in 2008 and much of that is attributed to the use of our K&N air filters," he said. "The K&N filters have done an excellent job of keeping dust and debris away." Long and his team started out very well last year. They amassed several top fives and no less than a half dozen runner-up finishes but fell just shy of breaking into victory lane in 2008. "We had a bunch of chances to win but something always happened to knock us out of it," he said. "It was definitely nice to be in the position to win. We really had everything clicking and then we went to Eldora. We would have won that race but we just plain got wrecked. After that it seemed like we had a black cloud following us around." Long was expected to be a major contender to win the Grand Nationals. "We didn't win, but I am proud to say we hung in there and did not quit," he said. "We gave it all we had." Long's first event of the season will pay $10,000 to win. "We've never been to Modoc but we are excited to go there," he said. "We hope we can start off the season with a good finish. It would be great to get that first win out of the gate." Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx> then use the K&N dealer search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/dealersearch.aspx> to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. [Email This Story - Fastrak Champions Series Season Opener at Modoc Speedway in South Carolina] <http://www.knfilters.com/news/email.aspx?ID=1777> _____ AMA Supercross East Coast Lites Series Ride is 2009 Honda CRF250R for Rookie <http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=1774> Friday - January 23, 2009 2:36 PM There are different ways to make a professional debut. Tyler Wharton made his first appearance in a professional race when he took on the 450 Motocross Class in Texas. The teen bypassed the racers closest to him in age and rank with a ninth overall qualifying time out of 71 riders. Wharton is also a multiple Loretta Lynn Champion, which is the Amateur Motocross National equivalent to NASCAR's Daytona 500. Wharton will compete with his new K&N helmet at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/warton1.jpg> Wharton will compete with his new K&N helmet at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas Wharton is a privateer racer represented by The Ross Agency. In 2009, he will contest the AMA Supercross East Coast Lites Series on a 2009 Honda CRF250R. AMA Supercross East Coast Lites Series Racer Tyler Wharton <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/warton3.jpg> AMA Supercross East Coast Lites Series Racer Tyler Wharton Multiple Loretta Lynn Champion Tyler Wharton <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/warton2.jpg> Multiple Loretta Lynn Champion Tyler Wharton The Pilot Point, Texas resident comes from a racing family where the track is part of his way of life. This will be his first year in the AMA Supercross Series. "Tyler is the complete package," said Craig Ross, owner of The Ross Agency. "He is talented as a racer and knows how to handle his fans. He has a personality that radiates and everyone walks away with a smile on their face after they meet him." Wharton will wear a K&N helmet and use K&N XStream Series Motocross Air Filters (HA-4503 <http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=HA-4503> ) and K&N oil filters (KN-116 <http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=KN-116> ) on his Honda. "I really like K&N," said Wharton. "My bike is a lot crisper throughout the power band. It also has better response. I crack the throttle and the power is right there." "Tyler leveled me when I first met him," said Ross. "Simply put he is an open and fun loving nice kid." As Ross put together Wharton's privateer program, K&N was on the top of his list of contacts. "K&N is almost indestructible," said Ross. "The K&N product is cost effective and dependable. Tyler does not need to worry about anything other than his opponents while he's racing. K&N will aid our performance and will work." Wharton will next compete at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx> then use the K&N dealer search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/dealersearch.aspx> to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. [Email This Story - AMA Supercross East Coast Lites Series Ride is 2009 Honda CRF250R for Rookie] <http://www.knfilters.com/news/email.aspx?ID=1774> _____ From Reliant Stadium to Alltel Arena Monster Jam's Black Stallion High Jumps to Success <http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=1773> Friday - January 23, 2009 9:07 AM The Ultimate Monster Jam Freestyle and Thrill Show wowed the crowd at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. Black Stallion goes all out in wheelie competition at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. photo by Kenny Lau <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/monster3.jpg> Black Stallion goes all out in wheelie competition at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, photo by Kenny Lau Alltel Arena in Little Rock, Arkansas will host next Monster Jam, photo by Kenny Lau <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/monster5.jpg> Alltel Arena in Little Rock, Arkansas will host next Monster Jam, photo by Kenny Lau The freestyle show featured the craziest obstacles with ramps and jumps so big they are tried out and tested in Texas before they end up in stadiums throughout the country. Eight of the top Monster Trucks in the country performed in front of 160,000 spectators. K&N provides product to 90 percent of the Monster Jam trucks. Monster Jam's Black Stallion puts air under his truck at Reliant Stadium. photo by Kenny Lau <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/monster2.jpg> Monster Jam's Black Stallion puts air under his truck at Reliant Stadium, photo by Kenny Lau Opening Ceremonies at Monster Jam Freestyle Competition in Texas, photo by Kenny Lau <http://www.knfilters.com/images/press/monster4.jpg> Opening Ceremonies at Monster Jam Freestyle Competition in Texas, photo by Kenny Lau Grave Digger piloted by Gary Porter, Black Stallion piloted by Mike Vaters, Safe Auto Minimizer piloted by Marc McDonald, Gun Slinger piloted by Scott Hartsock, Pastrana 199 piloted by Paul Cohen, Monster Mutt piloted by Whit Tarlton, Iron Warrior piloted by Trey Myers and Cowboy piloted by Glen Logan started off with a wheelie competition. Since this was freestyle, trucks are allowed to go for the best wheelie as many times as they want. In regular competition Monster Jam trucks only have one try to do the best job. In Houston, drivers were making four to five hits each. Since the events of the night are not judged by score cards, pilots make it more exciting for the fans. Two trucks are sent out at the same time for the Cyclone event. "We are allowed to use our judgment as to where and how many donuts we do," said Black Stallion owner and pilot Michael Vaters. "As each truck comes off the floor another goes out. As a result there is a constant stream of trucks at all times and the action never slows. It's fun for the drivers and the crowd and very different from the more structured competition in Monster Jam." In the final activity of the show each truck was given two minutes on the clock to pull of the widest moves they could. "Trey Myers and the Iron Warrior blasted out to take on the track with a good run," said Vaters. "I put some major air under the Black Stallion and showed the crowd the true force behind the truck." Vaters uses K&N air 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." The next Monster Jam event will be in Little Rock, Arkansas in the Alltel Arena. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/appsearch.aspx> then use the K&N dealer search <http://www.knfilters.com/search/dealersearch.aspx> to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. [Email This Story - From Reliant Stadium to Alltel Arena Monster Jam's Black Stallion High Jumps to Success] <http://www.knfilters.com/news/email.aspx?ID=1773> _____ You received this message because you are subscribed to the K&N Newsletter email notification service. 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