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Shea Holbrook's Team Fast & Furious Top the Fireball Run and Raise Awareness for Missing Children

3 Oct 2013

Shea Holbrook and childhood BFF professional wakeboarder, Tarah Mikacich, have now won their class two years in a row.

Longmont, Colorado has twice been named Money Magazine's "Top 100 Places to Live in America," and Twitter tagged it the "2nd Happiest City in America." Longmont and its understandably cheerful residents recently played host to "The 2013 Fireball Run: All Stars and Movie Cars," an epic eight day, 14 city, 2,500 mile life-sized trivia game, using America's west coast as the game board. To navigate the route 40 teams from across the country literally went head-to-head, engaging substantially more brain power than horsepower, solving clues based on history, science, nature, theology, pop culture, nearly anything was fair game. Then once clues were solved teams were required to accomplish missions in order to score points. And the entire shebang was filmed as part of the Fireball Run TV series.

This was Shea Holbrook's second year at the Fireball Run and the first in her 2013 K&N supported Team Fast & Furious Honda Civic Si.

Although it is a competition, it's not first and foremost about winning, it's about raising awareness for America's Missing Children, and it is in fact the largest active recovery effort for missing and exploited children in the country. Lifelong friends, K&N's Shea Holbrook and professional wakeboarder, Tarah Mikacich, competed for the second year in a row. The two finished first in the sedan class last year with Holbrook driving and Mikacich navigating. This year the dynamic female duo topped themselves, finishing 2nd overall and 1st in Class, they also won the Social Medial Award. They competed in Holbrook's Team Fast & Furious 2013 Honda Civic Si.

"Team Fast & Furious killed it during Fireball Run!" Holbrook declared. "And I was very excited to compete again with my sister from another mister. Last year Tarah and I immediately found out that I was better at driving and she was better at navigating, and together we uncovered clues to complete missions. This year the Fireball Run adventure brought us to remote areas where there was no service. We were told to bring an atlas and a CB radio to communicate with other teams, which we definitely utilized. There are many strategies one can play at this game, like asking the locals for help, calling the local chambers, or the local police to see what traffic may be like ahead… maybe a police escort somewhere (just saying) and even getting in on alliances with other teams."

Regardless of where the Fireball clues lead, Shea Holbrook always found time for her fans.

"Many of us set up group texting and we did use the CB radio. We had to move quickly if we wanted to rack up as many points possible each day, yet we still managed to spend a little time with the communities to thank them for hosting us and aiding in our effort to find missing children. We never lost sight of what our mission really was, and that was to spread awareness about missing kids by passing out thousands of posters of the child we represent. Fireball Run is amazing because this rally incorporates a means to promote sponsors in a unique way.

Shea Holbrook sent out a special thanks to the residents of Longmont, Colorado, for their enthusiastic support.

Each team is assigned a missing child from their home region along with thousands of posters to distribute along the route. A decal featuring the child is positioned on the vehicle, creating a rolling awareness campaign. The event started in 2007 and to date the effort has assisted in the recovery of 41 missing children.

"When you think about it, that's pretty amazing," remarks Holbrook. "I like doing good things for people and that's why Fireball Run was so interesting to me." Holbrook and Mikacich represented toddler, Donald Jackson, last seen in 2010.

"Another positive aspect was that I could continue to promote my partners, like K&N Filters in an intriguing and unique way. The rally generates millions of dollars in exposure and I can actually communicate with the communities we go to about partners' products or service they offer."

Holbrook is currently in Houston, Texas where the Shea Racing Team will compete in the Pirelli World Challenge Championship. "And we're also near the end of our helmet raffle in benefit of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy! We'll be announcing the winner of the raffle Saturday, October 5th. You can go online to buy raffle tickets."

Related K&N News Articles about Shea Holbrook: Shea Holbrook Racing Earns Pirelli World Challenge Championship Points at Lime Rock Grand Prix; K&N's Shea Holbrook Streams Live In-Car Video from Her TrueCar and Virgin Sportscar; Shea Holbrook's Newly Expanded Team Starts 2013 Pirelli World Challenge Season Strong; Pirelli World Challenge Racer Shea Holbrook Prepares for 2013 Race Season

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John Fitzgerald Represents Chris Brandt Racing On Podium at Glen Helen

3 Oct 2013

In spite of mechanical issues, Chris Brandt went into rounds nine and ten of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing series fourth in the points race

Having experienced carburetor issues during the previous two Lucas Oil Off Road Racing events, Brandt was eager to put the changes they made to the fuel system to the test.

After qualifying 5th for Saturday's feature, Chris Brandt returned to the track later that day to earn his rightful position for Sunday's race. When the dust had settled, Brandt finished his second qualifying race 6th in a field of fierce competitors.

Lining up in the fifth row, when the waving of the green flag deemed round nine underway, Brandt, wasted no time working his way through the maze of drivers. Avoiding carnage and trouble, he managed to move into the sixth position prior to the halfway point of the race. However, bad luck eventually reared its ugly head. After heavy contact, a flat tire sent Brandt to the pits and in turn resulted in an 18th place finish.

Starting in the sixth row on the following day, Chris Brandt once again went to work immediately at the waving of the green flag. Methodically maneuvering his way around competitors, he eventually made his way to the lead pack. At the end of the race, Chris Brandt was situated in sixth place.

John Fitzgerald has experienced his fair share of success during is first season in the Pro Buggy Class of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series

Having qualified fifth for round nine of the Pro Buggy class of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing, Jon Fitzgerald took the hole shot in the feature, setting the pace for a field of talented drivers. Fitzgerald controlled the front position for the first couple of laps. However, carnage midway thru proved costly, putting the 2012 Limited Buggy champion in third place, where he would finish the race. Although Fitzgerald would have obviously preferred the leading two positions, he had earned a coveted spot on the podium.

Fitzgerald returned the final day with an eagerness to get round 10 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing series underway. Lining up in the last row for the feature, the Fitzgerald had a lot of work ahead of him. But he was more than ready to accept the challenge. He eventually started gaining positions and worked his way to third in the field. Even though the laps ran out before he could challenge the top two drivers, John Fitzgerald had earned his second trip to the podium in the event.

In reference to Fitzgerald's strong finishes in rounds nine and ten, Chris Brandt Racing's, Director of Operations, Jerrod Wedell, said "Getting on the podium is always a good thing. But his goal is to be on top of it at the season's end. The second and third places have kept him in a great points position for his first year in the class. He is still learning a lot about setup and driving of the Pro Buggy class and sees some potential for some good gains moving forward this season.

"The key to success for Chris Brandt Racing is to continue to focus on the consistency of setup and performance," he continued. "To be able to have speed on Friday, to be fast on Saturday and Sunday - weekend-to-weekend. We have had some bad luck handed our way this year, and that is part of racing. We believe the better we can perform consistently, the better our luck will be. And that is what we expect from ourselves."

Team Chris Brandt Racing is also conscious of the importance of keeping their rigs in tip-top running condition. That in mind, they are strong advocates of using K&N products to ensure their engines run contaminant free.

"K&N products are phenomenal," said Jerrod Wedell. "We have had excellent success with them. They are a staple in racing. In off road racing, they are at the top of the chart and that's why we use them. There is a lot of money at stake if the products fail, and that's why we associate ourselves with the best on the market. We have seen other companies try and come into the sport and fail. We cannot afford that. Failures affect consistency, and consistency wins championships. And championships are the goal of Chris Brandt Racing."

Looking at the "big picture" Jerrod Wedell concluded, "While a championship is looking slim after the 18th place at Glen Helen Raceway and the competition where it is right now, we are focusing on speed, consistency and getting both vehicles back to atop the podium where they belong. The team is capable. With the carburetor problems behind us on the #82 Pro-Lite and a little more development on the #14 Pro-Buggy, we should be there shortly."

Related K&N News Articles about the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series: Stellar Performance for Casey Currie at Glen Helen Raceway in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series; Baja-Style Off-Road Racer Kyle LeDuc Rises to the Top in Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series; Bradley Morris Rules Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Prolite Class in Rounds 9 & 10 at Glen Helen Raceway

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Stunt Driver, Mike Ryan, Depends Upon K&N For His Filtering Needs

3 Oct 2013

Mike Ryan has competed in 16 of the last 17 Pikes Peak International Hill Climbs from the seat of his Freightliner semi-truck.

One would be hard pressed to convince those who know Mike Ryan that he lacks drive. In fact, his willingness to work became evident at a very young age.

At five, Ryan learned how to water ski, and began riding mini bikes and go karts shortly thereafter. Although most of these machines belonged to friends, the youngster was a natural at keeping them in running order. In turn, he became known as the "local fix-it kid" and was allowed to man their toys in return.

Landing his first job at age eight, Mike Ryan's young mind likely couldn't conceive the path his life would eventually take. After pulling weeds at the University of Tennessee, he got a paper route. Once confident in his early-morning paper-tossing skills, he took on an additional route in the afternoons.

Ryan obviously possessed the needed drive to become just about anything he wanted to be. And little did he know upon taking a summer job at a nursery, he was setting the stage for his future.

During this particular occupation, Ryan learned how to run heavy equipment. One would only suspect how proud the young teenager was of the skills he had acquired. And if that wasn't enough, another job lent to the opportunity to grow more fluent at turning wrenches while he was still in school.

By the time Mike Ryan took a permanent residence in California in 1975, he had already built a small racing resume, was a reputable mechanic and could drive anything, from a scooter to a semi. To some, this diversity of skills had no correlation, but time would eventually tell..

One year later, Ryan met stunt coordinator, Ronnie Ross. "I suppose that I was useful to Ronnie, and my work ethic meant working from sunrise to sunset," recalled Ryan. "I drove from Corona del Mar to the San Fernando valley and worked for free on those days off.

"But I was 20 and excited that there was a job that would pay me to do what I spent most weekends trying to do on a mechanic's pay check." Referring to stunt driving, Ryan continued," That was 37-years ago and I am still at it."

In fact, Mike Ryan is in the process of working on the set as a driver for the upcoming "Fast and Furious 7" and is scheduled to head for Atlanta, Georgia in early November, where his driving skills will be utilized in his third F&F film.

Due to his ability to pull off incredible stunts with big rigs, many people on the business refer to Mike Ryan as "the truck guy";

Ryan's portfolio consists of many top-rate films. Referred to by many in the business as "the truck guy", his skills have been showcased in "Fast and Furious 6," "Thelma & Louise," "Terminator II," "Fire Down Below," "Black Dog," "Independence Day," "Swordfish," "The Italian Job," "Rush Hour 2," "After the Sunset" and "Captain America II."

Ryan's work has also been featured on other movies, television, live shows and a plethora of commercials.

"My career has been built around the motorcycles, boats, trucks and jalopy racer cars that I learned to drive as a kid. My first film was one that Ronnie and his wife Suzy produced. It was a typical Drive-in "B" car movie "Joyride to Nowhere," he recalled. "On my second film in 1978, I met Buzzy Bundy. Buzz spent 27-years of his life working on thrill shows and became famous for driving cars on two wheels. I have been hanging on to Buzz since that day, and at 83-years old he is still my go-to guy when I need to figure out a jump, car stunt or a roll-over that I don't know about."

Although Mike Ryan's career epitomizes excitement, the occupation hasn't come without a price. As a result of go-karts, motorcycles, an airplane crash and 37 years of stunts, he has broken 44 bones. In fact, he recently suffered a broken right scapula while rolling a bus during rehearsal for "Fast and Furious 7."

In Mike Ryan's occupation, planning and precision are obviously keys to safety and success. "The preparation for a big film takes months," he explained. "Finding the vehicles and making them safe for the high-risk, often high-speed, precise maneuvers that we film requires many technicians and the best parts possible; like K&N filters. There is no reason to use anything else."

One would suspect that stunt driving is more than enough to keep Mike Ryan occupied. However, he also finds time to race between gigs. "It is that background that I take to racing. And racing is the background that has helped to give me the skills to do stunt work," he explained.

Mike Ryan has become a familiar face during the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climbs. Since 1997, and has competed in 16 of the last 17 events. Interestingly, Mike Ryan races with a Freightliner semi-truck.

Freightliner has been the primary sponsor of our Pikes Peak Truck," he explained. "To have a sponsor that is willing to stick with you for 16-years is amazing to me, and it is a validation that we serve their intentions well.

"There have been years with no trucks and years with as many as five," he continued. "Other than spinning out in 2001, we have never been beaten by a truck or diesel-powered vehicle. . . We currently hold seven speed records there."

Mike Ryan and his team have also raced the truck in New Zealand at the Queenstown Gold Rush Hill Climb, where they won the class and set records. They also sported the first semi-truck to enter the Mt. Washington Hill Climb in New Hampshire.

He has drag raced the rig several times and has also partaken in exhibition drifting in Las Vegas.

If anyone understands the importance of keeping their rig in tip-top running condition, Mike Ryan fits that bill. That in mind, the stunt driver depends upon K&N products to execute his filtering needs.

"K&N has been a component sponsor since we started racing trucks," Ryan recalled. They are with us at Pikes Peak, they are in our company trucks and they are in our 1968 Ford-class-8 Baja truck that we race in the Mexican 1000. Like I said earlier," he shared. There is no reason to use anything else. We've had offers from many filter companies, but there's no reason that I can think of to settle for less."

For more information about K&N's heavy duty air filters or to find what heavy duty air filters K&N offers visit the K&N Heavy Duty Air Filterpage on KNFilters.com.

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Slate Cummings Takes Third Consecutive JEGS All-Stars Crown at the Route 66 Raceway

3 Oct 2013

Slate Cummings recently won his third JEGS All-Star Championship title, putting him in an elite group of thirteen drivers who have walked away from the event victorious at least three times

Slate Cummings and his team recently rolled into Joliet, Illinois with aspirations of what would transpire at the O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals. This wasn't his first career appearance at the Route 66 Raceway. And his performance at this particular venue had been impressive to say the least. In fact, he was hoping to win his third consecutive All-Stars Crown.

Manning a Moser Engineering backed Chevrolet Corvette, Cummings was eager to get the Stock Eliminator class racing underway. Although competition would be tough, with driving greats such as defending world champion, Brad Burton, in the mix of a field of eight. However, Cummings was more than ready to put his racing skills against all drivers, as a win at this event would add to his already impressive resume of accomplishments.

With every run, Cummings came that much closer to earning the prestigious title for the third year. And one could rest assured that tension filled the air when Cummings lines up against Burton in the final round. This was what the sport was all about. Two highly awarded and accomplished drivers going toe to toe till the very end.

When the Christmas Tree glowed green and deemed the race underway Cummings had no intentions of doing anything other than walking away victorious. And upon the final tally, Slate Cummings was deemed the champion.

Slate Cummings and Team Cummings Motorsports recently Rolled into the Route 66 Raceway with high aspirations of moving closer to winning the points race in several NHRA divisions

Upon earning his third JEGS All-Stars championship title, Slate Cummings joined an elite group of drivers who shared his accomplishment. Only 13 drivers had ever walked away from this competition with three wins under their belts. He was revered in a class with all-time racing greats including, Frank Manzo, Rudy Matthews, Pat Austin, Edmond Richardson, Jeff Taylor, Alan Peters, Bob Newberry, Tom Conway, Grant Lewis, Sal Biondo, Tony Bartone, Craig Abbot and Bruno Massell.

Although Slate Cummings' accomplishment was not to be overshadowed, he and the Cummings team had other fish to fry as well. Slate and his teammate, Jody "Cool" Simoneaux, were scheduled to represent their team in the Division-4 of the All-Stars Competition.

Simoneaux would serve as the Division-4 representative, while a victory in last year's competition earned Slate Cummings the "Blocker" slot. Having worked his way to the semi-final round, Simoneaux met up with Brad Burton for the next race. Although he put up a fierce fight, the Cummings team member fell short of a victory.

In regular national event competition, team member Britt Cummings, guided his dragster to a quarterfinal finish in the Super Comp class prior to experiencing a defeat. Racing in the Super Stock division, Slate Cummings also made it to the quarterfinals as well.

Slate Cummings took the win at the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois

With the second half of the season in front of them, Cummings motorsports has high anticipations of how the remainder of 2013 will unfold. Ranked sixth in the Lucas Oil Superstock standing, Slate Cummings is hoping for a championship run.

Cummings and Simoneaux are also both ranked in the top 50 of the Stock Eliminator class as well. When the JEGS event was deemed over, Slate was in second place in the NHRA Division-4 Superstock standings. and his father, Larrry, was holding the 15th spot.

Cummings Motorsports was also well represented in Division-4, as slate was sitting in sixth place, his brother, Britt, was ranked 16th and team member Simoneaux followed closely behind at 17th.

One can rest assured that the Cummings Motorsports crew is acutely aware that future success will depend a great deal upon keeping their engines in perfect running order. That in mind, they depend upon K&N products to ensure the internal components of their engines remain contaminant free.

"Maintenance is huge," ensured Slate Cummings. it's the key factor of racing." Referring to K&N products he continued, "We run their oil and air filters on our race cars, and run their air filters on our 18-wheelers too. K&N products are the best in the business. When you run the best products and the best equipment, you have a better shot at winning.

"They Key to success throughout the remainder of the season will basically be ensuring our equipment remains well maintained and we are mentally focused," explained Cummings. "Fans can expect to see us going up and down the track with six race cars and striving to win."

Related K&N News Articles about Slate Cummings and Slate Cummings Motorsports: Slate Cummings Doubles in Tulsa Winning NHRA Division 4 Super Stock and Stock; Monumental Season for K&N's Slate Cummings Continues with Stock Final Round Appearance at Dallas; Slate Cummings Seals Up NHRA All-Stars Berth in Multiple Classes with Latest Stock Win; K&N Super Stock Racer Slate Cummings Earns His First NHRA Wally at Spring Nationals

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NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Racer Cole Custer Victorious at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway

2 Oct 2013

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race North American Power 100 Delivers Side by Side Racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

When the NASCAR spotlight shines brightest, Cole Custer puts on his best performances.

Cole Custer won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after taking the pole and leading a race-high 60 laps.

It was his second win of the season. He also won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series race at Iowa Speedway against the top teams from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race Started Off with Cole Custer & Dylan Kwasniewski Racing Side By Side

The 15-year-old Custer became the youngest driver to win a K&N Pro Series East race at Iowa Speedway. The win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was special too, because it was close to home for many of his crew members

"This one was a lot more hectic, so it feels a lot better," Custer said. "All my guys are from up here. They really wanted to win this race. It feels really good. All my guys are really excited. It’s awesome to win at New Hampshire [Motor Speedway], too."

Custer has four top-five finishes in his first 12 races on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He has two top fives at Iowa Speedway and another top five at Richmond International Raceway. He made history at New Hampshire Motor Speedway as well, becoming the youngest driver to win a race at that track.

He passed Daniel Suarez on lap 87 of the North American Power 150 and led the final 18 laps, including a green-white-checkered flag finish, to win the race.

The 21 Means 21 Pole Award Was Presented to Cole Custer at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

"I was a little bit worried there at the end, but it seemed like we had the car to beat at the end," Custer said. "I was able to get by him. There was no other way to pass. It was just really hard to pass. I had to shove him up a little bit, just try to get a run off the corner. We raced really clean. It was fun racing with him."

Suarez finished second, his fifth top-five finish of the season.

"I feel the communication with my crew chief and everybody on the whole racing team, they did an awesome job," Suarez said. "I feel we were pretty strong. We are learning a lot. The next race is Dover. I’ve never been to Dover. I’m excited to be there."

Cale Conley was third, his fourth top-five finish in 12 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races this year.

"It was a solid run," Conley said. "Started fourth, we were tight there the first half. We came in and loosened the car up, but we overshot a little bit. We struggled there. All around a pretty good run. Just happy to be here in New Hampshire."

Dylan Kwasniewski, who leads the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East standings, was involved in a crash on lap 34. He spun out while battling Custer for the lead in the race and ended up finishing a season-worst 24th.

Brett Moffitt finished in seventh place and cut into Kwasniewski’s lead. Kwasniewski has a 23-point lead over Moffitt with two races to go.

The next race on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule is the Drive Sober 150 at Dover International Speedway on September 27, 2013.

It's a Picture Perfect Finish as Cole Custer Takes the Checkered Flag at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Cole Custer Celebrating the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Victory with the Haas Automation Chevrolet Team

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Racer Dylan Kwasniewski Spins Out After Contacting Cole Custer at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Tire Damage for Eddie MacDonald While He Was Leading at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Related K&N News Articles about NASCAR K&N Pro Series Races, Venues and Drivers: Cole Custer Wins NASCAR K&N Pro Series at Iowa Speedway Leading Entire Pork Be Inspired 150; Brett Moffitt Wins K&N Pro Series East Race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; Max Gresham Wins NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

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