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Fourteen-Year-Old Modified Kart Racer Brooke Kawell Anticipates Success in 2013

3 Apr 2013

Brooke Kawell has aspirations of a championship podium in her future.

At age five, Brooke Kawell got her first taste of driving, when her dad introduced her to go-karting. The youngster was automatically "bitten by the bug." Most young girls would have simply putted around the course for their allotted time and gone about their merry ways. But Brooke was a little different story; she loved it.

At age fourteen, Brooke Kawaell has already een racing for nine years.

In reality, her new-found passion should not have been a surprise. In fact, I suppose one could say a burning desire to race was a predisposed condition, as her grandfather raced sprint cars, her dad raced motocross and her uncle also competes in motocross.

"I loved it so much, I started racing," recalls Kawell. "I guess you could say it was in my blood. I am a third-generation racer." And in her blood it is. The driver has been participating in the sport now for nine years. And at age 14, she has no intentions of doing anything less than continuing her quest to earn a rightful spot on the championship podium.

Driving in the Modified Kart class, Kawell is looking forward to competing in three different series this season. She is scheduled to run in the Lucas Oil Off-Road series, the Stadium Super Truck and the Lucas Oil regional series.

With experience the young driver has done nothing but become a stronger competitor. In 2012 her efforts were rewarded when she was recognized as the first female to podium in the Modified Kart class. Although a great honor and a confidence booster, this was just a stepping stone leading Kawell one step closer to her aspirations. To this point she has not managed to earn a podium position at a national event. However, last season she was knocking on the door of her goal.

Last season, Brooke Kawell was recognized as the first female to ever podium in the Modified Kart class.

"My goals for the future... I would love to get a championship," she ensured, "I want to race a Pro-lite soon and work my way up to Pro-2; Then maybe do some Rally car racing."

Looking back she recalled, "Last year, my overall season went pretty good. Yeah, I was knocking on the doors. I had a third-place finish in the Arizona regional, and I finished in fourth and had a few fifths last season in the big LOORS series. I am still plugging away and knocking on those doors. I want that podium in the big series for sure."

Referring to 2013, she continued, "I have performed pretty good so far. I just got second out of a field of 12 in the first Lucas Oil regional race." Recalling a recent race at Firebird, she explained, "I had some not-so-good finishes. I qualified to start 14th in round-one, and started charging to the front. I was moving forward in the field when cars in sixth and seventh crashed and I was collected in on it. That put me a lap down, but I still felt strongly that I did well."

Referring to round two, Kawell explained, "I felt good and my kart was working well. I qualified 11th out of 20 and quickly worked my way into the sixth position. I was charging, but during the last lap coming into the white flag, the guy behind me just didn't think he wanted me there," she recalled with a chuckle. "He hit me a little hard, sending me flying though the air. That was the end of my day. But I feel I can do it this year."

Brooke Kawell ensured that future success will depend a great deal upon staying clean, consistent and mistake free; staying out of the back of the pack and charging hard to the front.

The driver is also quick to credit the team for her success. "My mechanic (Brooke's dad) works so hard on having my Kart race-ready, so I can race. My mom manages all of my things, from schedules, races, events, sponsorship, picking up parts and my education. My sister...She puts up with all of the traveling and time she has to be at the track. And then there are all of my sponsors who help support and believe in me. I couldn't do it without any of them."

Kawell will be quick to agree that proper maintenance is an essential piece to the puzzle of success. That in mind, she and her crew are strong advocates of keeping the internal components of their engines contaminant free.

In turn, they depend upon K&N products for their filtering needs. "I user their high-flow air filter and intake," she explained, "the Power-clean solvent and their air filter oil. K&N products are the best. My kart wouldn't run as good as it does without them. Their filters and intake system give me the extra horsepower I need to go fast.

Looking to the future, Brooke Kawell said, I feel that I get better every year, learning from the years prior. But this season is a little more improved. I feel stronger in who I am, and that I can do things as long as I believe in myself and continue to learn from past mistakes. The racing community can expect a dedicated racer, a champion and someone who will give back to their fans."

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.

Adam Bushman Returns to Win Three Pro Class Titles at the Wisconsin Ice Racing State Championships

3 Apr 2013

Adam Bushman returned to racing at Central Wisconsin Ice Racing Association opener in Fremont, Wisconsin

Adam Bushman made quite a return by winning three titles in the pro classes at the Wisconsin Ice Racing state championships. He won the Open Pro, 450 Pro and the GP Pro championships on a nearly perfect weekend in February. His only hiccup resulted from a mechanical failure on the first day of racing. He didn't lose a race, in the heats or in the finals, on the second day. He swept in all three classes en route to the three titles in Wisconsin.

Not too bad for a rider who is recovering from hip surgery. He had two plates and nine screws inserted into his hip after an incident in Peoria, Illinois., last year.

He made his return to racing at the Central Wisconsin Ice Racing Association opener in Fremont, Wisconsin. He made his breakthrough in the Wisconsin state championships a few weeks later.

Adam Bushman's Harley-Davidson XR-750 at AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship in Savannah, Georgia

Adam Bushman's Harley-Davidson XR-750 (left) at AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship in Savannah, Georgia

"I have also been on an extensive training program since November since I was cleared from the doctor," the 22-year old Bushman said. "After Fremont I continued my ice riding training program."

From the Wisconsin state championships, he went to the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship in Savannah, Georgia. He won the last chance qualifying race on his XR750 to advance to the main event, but mechanical problems forced him out of the race.

"After running second for the majority of the (heat) race I made the pass for the first place spot the final lap taking the win and scoring a spot in my first ever expert twins main event," said Bushman, who lives in Oak Creek, Wisconson. "The main event didn't go so hot, however. We had a mechanical problem forcing me pull off the track." He fared better on his CRF450 and finished in 10th place in the main event race.

"In the expert singles class I also qualified for the main and came up with a 10th place finish starting from the third row," Bushman said. "Following the race we found that our 450 had suffered a blown head gasket."

Adam Bushman at the All Star National race in Volusia, Florida, near Daytona

Bushman had better results at the All Star National in Volusia near Daytona in Florida. He was fifth in the expert singles class race.

"We struggled in Daytona getting our setup down," Bushman said. "Though we didn't make the mains we learned some valuable lessons for next year and left with lots of motivation to improve all aspects of our team for the next races."

Bushman said he had several people to thank for his team's early season success.

Bushman said he wants to compete in the All Star National races and enter as many GNC National events as he can.

"We brought on board some new sponsorship for the 2013 season, which has made it possible for me to compete in the Grand National Championship Expert Class," Bushman said. "B&B Racing jumped on board to become our 2013 title sponsor, providing us with one CRF450 for the GNC Singles Events and two XR750s to compete in at the GNC Twins events."

Bushman said he wants to compete in the All Star National races and enter as many GNC National events as he can.

"Our goals for 2013 are to qualify for as many mains as we can," Bushman said. "Getting into the show is hardest and most important stepping stone of this new class. But I know we can do it."

K&N filters have been vital to his team's success, especially with the new bikes his team is racing.

"K&N products have been a great addition to our team," Bushman said. "Ice racing requires maximum horsepower from our engines, but it can also be very demanding. Our race machines must be protected from the frigid temperatures, snow, ice and wet conditions that each race may present. K&N's products protect our machines most vital engine parts from these harsh conditions, while increasing the horsepower, resulting in excellent finishes."

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 Sponsors Auto Smarts Radio 2013 Classic Cruise-In and Classic Car Giveaway

3 Apr 2013

Dan Longenette's Badd 1957 Chevy Bel Air

Long before European settlers established a presence in Ohio, American Indian tribes were growing corn, beans, squash and pumpkins there. To this day, a huge portion of the state is still highly agricultural. With mile-after-mile of farming flatland linked and framed by roads that seem to simply fall off the horizon, this is a little slice of classic car heaven. And, the benevolent deity that rules over this motorsport paradise is Auto Smarts Radio Network's Dan "Boots" Longenette.

1971 Classic Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible - Customized 442 Hurst Olds clone with a 455.

"It all started when I was a young boy playing with hot wheels and my mom was a huge car nut too," said Longenette. "On our trips to Florida for vacations I was always on the watch for classic cars, and I would talk my dad into stopping by salvage yards on the way south to look for classic cars."

Longenette adds credence to the notion that motorsport obsession is indeed a gift you're born into, and one that continues to intensify as we grow older. Auto Smarts Radio is central Ohio's premiere radio show dedicated to those that are looking to buy, repair, or race cars, trucks, motorcycles or anything with motorized wheels, and Longenette is the co-founder of the network.

With a quarter of a century of experience in the automotive industry to draw on, Longenette anchors a highly successful daily radio broadcast along with four other diverse personalities. Whether they're fielding calls and email questions, or engaging in very special interviews with Jay Leno, Richard Petty, or Jeg Coughlin, the Auto Smarts gang offers plenty of valuable insights along with lively and entertaining banter during their fast-paced weekday shows or their two-hour weekend spectaculars. That's 21 stations, 27 times per week for Classic, Modern Classic, Muscle and Vintage car aficionados. The information provided is detailed and thorough and at times the shows become intensely personal for the devoutly passionate listeners.

The little boy with the hot wheels collection is today a radio personality with a tremendous state-wide following. Fans have in fact referred to him as Ohio's "NASCAR" because as rabid as NASCAR fans can become, Auto Smarts listeners are actually even more prolific in these parts. In answer to the extreme fan enthusiasm, beginning late spring through late summer, Auto Smarts Radio and Dan "Boots" Longenette will once again be taking the Auto Smart Radio Classic Cruise-In on the road, throughout all of Central Ohio. And this year they've really sweetened the Cruise-In pot guaranteeing to make any gear-head go just a little more crazy.

Presented by Pepsi Max and sponsored by K&N, the 2013 Tour will provide listeners the opportunity to win a dazzling 1971 Classic Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible - a fully customized 442 Hurst Olds clone with a 455. It's a classic car lover's dream.

"I thought it would be a classic car most people would recognize and enjoy with the top down," stated Longenette. "I was in search of a vehicle from 1955 to 1972. I looked at many cars and this Cutlass had everything I was looking for in the perfect give away car."

Longenette is a die-hard K&N Filter lover we were told, so K&N's evolvement with the Cruise-in only makes sense. "After using a K&N filter the first time I was amazed on how long it lasted and I thought it made the car run better," he adds. "I am, and always have been, a big oil and filter change guy, and K&N made life easier. I have one on my 1957 Chevy, 1993 Suburban and every car I've owned since the mid-90s."

The contest begins in April and will continue until the last Cruise-In on October 7th at the Columbus Zoo. Each Cruise-In is slated to be a full-fledged, three hour "Boots" personality appearance extravaganza.

"I had no money when I moved to Columbus and when my dress shoes fell apart due to weather, I wore my old boots," explained Longenette referring the footwear nickname. "And the owner of the dealership made fun of the me by calling me "Boots" and it stuck."

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.

2013 K&N Horsepower Challenge Field Set for NHRA Pro Stock $50,000 Showdown

3 Apr 2013

Allen Johnson at 2013 Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway

After earning points over a 15-race span, the ladder of hungry drivers is now set for the largest single race payday in all of NHRA Pro Stock and 29th running of the K&N Horsepower Challenge. The event will take place at a new location for 2013, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the 14th annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals on Saturday, April 6.

Eight elite teams make up the field for the K&N Horsepower Challenge with 2008 K&N Horsepower Challenge champion, Allen Johnson, sitting on top for the first time in his career. The driver from Greenville, Tennessee qualified number one at five events over the last fifteen races, more than any other NHRA Pro Stock driver to earn his first number one seed for what will be his tenth appearance in the bonus race.

Jeg Coughlin won the K&N Horsepower Challenge fan vote and will face Johnson in round one of the challenge.

"The highest I have ever finished in the Challenge qualifying is number two and that was last year," said the defending NHRA Pro Stock world champion. "We won't approach it any differently being number one because everybody in it is going to be tough. Your first round opponent is going to be just as tough probably as any of the rest of the rounds. You have to have your game together from the very first round."

"I like it being at Vegas because we are normally very-very good there," pointed out Team Mopar Dodge Avenger driver. "We won the event there last spring, so we have a lot of pluses going for us by having the Challenge there. We just so appreciate K&N putting this event together and promoting Pro Stock along with it. From the qualifying dollars they put up all season long to the big race itself, we just can't say enough about the folks at K&N."

The 2013 K&N Horsepower Challenge offers a total purse of $76,000 to the eight teams competing and the overall winner will grab a cool $50,000 and a chance for a double up bonus, should they also be fortunate enough to win the NHRA event the following day. The Horsepower Challenge runner-up will take away $10,000, each semifinalists will receive $3,000 and for the four drivers that make a first round exit, $2,500 apiece.

Johnson will be joined by seven other Pro Stock teams for the race-within-a-race bonus event, six of which also earned their way into the showdown by garnering qualifying points during the 15-race span that started with the 2012 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio and wrapping up during the recent 2013 Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville in Florida. The eighth-place team was selected via a special fan vote on the K&N website. When the votes were tallied, the honors went to Johnson's new teammate, Jeg Coughlin, a three-time K&N Horsepower Challenge winner, who he will face in round one of the challenge.

On top of the outstanding payday on tap for the overall 2013 K&N Horsepower Challenge champion, throughout the season K&N handed out another $45,000, by paying a nice $3,000 to the top Pro Stock qualifier at each of the fifteen races, bringing the grand total of the 2013 K&N Horsepower Challenge purse and bonuses to $121,000.

This year's field is a half and half combination of both past winners and those who are still in search of their first crown. As mentioned earlier, those past winners include Johnson and Coughlin in addition to defending champ Vincent Nobile and four-time winner, Greg Anderson.

On the other side of the fence are Erica Enders-Stevens, making her fourth appearance and veteran driver V. Gaines with his third career start. Multi-time runner-up, K&N's Mike Edwards will start from the fourth spot and Jason Line, who has also made his way to the final on three previous occasions, will start from the number two spot.

"Starting from the number one spot in the challenge has never been good for me, so let's try from number two," joked the Summit Racing Equipment Pro Stock Camaro driver, Jason Line. "Vegas is a fun place and of course, our team's [Greg Anderson] will have a little added pressure since it's our team owner's home track."

When asked what it would mean to him to win the K&N Horsepower Challenge, Line was quick to blurt out with a big grin, "Fifty thousand."

"Hey, that kind of money is a big deal," he added. "For us, the Pro Stock class, it's sort of our Super Bowl and it's a very cool thing that K&N does for our class. I really want to make it happen and I've never won the thing. Every year I say that this will be the year I will win it and I'm not going to say it this year. I am going to go out there and do the best I can and try to make it happen."

For K&N's Mike Edwards, who is preparing to race in the Challenge for the tenth time, he's highly anticipating the new venue for 2013. "I'm all for the change and I really like running Vegas," he said. "I think it's going to be great for many reasons and one of them because of it being closer to K&N's headquarters and that will allow more of them to be able to be there and a part of the event. Vegas is just a great place to race and I am really looking forward to getting there and competing in the K&N Horsepower Challenge."

"The drivers and the teams that are a part of this year's Challenge are all very-very good," added the driver of the Interstate Battery/I Am Second/K&N Camaro. "They all have numerous championships and wins under their belts. You are just about going to have to do everything perfect and drive exceptionally well to win the thing. We have been close a few times and I sure would like to win that thing one time, that's for sure."

The 2013 K&N Horsepower Challenge will be contested as a part of the Saturday main race qualifying sessions during the annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, April 6.

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 Enthusiast Angel Gonzales Describes Custom Nissan 300zx Twin Turbo While Bloodworms Melted

3 Apr 2013

Peacock Eel (slimy water worm) led the way to K&N enthusiest Angel Gonzales

Peacock Eel (slimy water worm) led the way to K&N enthusiast Angel Gonzales

I worked all day at K&N, but as we all know, life doesn't stop when you get home from work. I never expected however, that a Peacock Eel , pampered Shih Tzu, handfuls of melted bloodworms, snapping turtles, some guy in an orange shirt, two handed gestures and K&N enthusiasm, would somehow become connected before the night was up.

It was late, and I was getting ready to sit down and relax before heading to bed, when I realized I used the last of the bloodworms feeding my Peacock Eel (and tank mates) last night. After serious contemplation as to whether or not the eel would survive a night without being fed, I decided that I needed to be a responsible pet owner and just feed the slimy water worm. I rounded up the kids, grabbed the jackets and headed off to Petco.

The moment I pulled into the parking lot, I realized I should have stayed home. I could have fed it some of that canned cat food I've had in the cupboard for over a year. Anything would have been better than driving around looking for a place to park. I slowly drove down the center lane in front of the entrance while some guy and his pampered Shih Tzu slowly walked to their car. About half way down, they walked right between the parked cars to their Cressida in the next lane over, and surrendered their spot to an Escalade that just got there. I wound up parking at the far end of the lot, where my kids pointed out a K&N decal proudly displayed on the Toyota pickup we parked next to.

The kids and I got out of the car and walked toward the front of the store. The moment our feet entered the building, I was left to fend for myself, while the kids pretend that daddy just might let them bring another animal in the house.

K&N enthusiest Angel Gonzales' 1991 300ZX twin turbo

K&N enthusiast Angel Gonzales' 1991 300ZX twin turbo

I grabbed a frozen brick of bloodworms and headed to the register. There were several people in line and two registers open. Most of the attention in line was focused on register two, where this guy in an orange T-shirt was sure that the 10lb bag of gourmet bird seed was on sale for two bucks. By the time I was next in line, I was holding a handful of water and melted bloodworm mush.

I looked around for the kids but didn't see them anywhere. I called for my son who was over by the snapping turtles, probably imagining what would happen if, "by accident," a feeder fish was dropped into the tank. I asked him to come here while waving my arm around to indicate a sense of urgency. He casually strolled a few feet closer and yelled, "What?" This wasn't something I wanted to announce to the whole store, so I gestured with both hands, come here. "Take these worms back to the freezer and get me some frozen ones quickly, because I'm up next." Fortunately the guy in front of me was buying an item from the bargain bin and it was missing a price tag, and the bird guy was still arguing that he couldn't be wrong about the price. Then, as if time had sped up, one of the checkers looked over at the line and said, "next." I looked down the aisle and could see my son on his way. He wasn't in much of a hurry, but as soon as he saw the look on my face, he decided it was a good idea to walk faster. I inched toward the register, figuring that as long as I was moving forward, the people behind me would stay calm. I arrived at the check stand without a single product in my hand. I was just about to explain the situation, when my son tossed the frozen worms onto the conveyor belt. I was so ready to go home.

This is when Petco checker, Angel Gonzales asked, "So you work at K&N?" I was a little confused at first, but soon realized I still had my K&N ID badge hanging from my neck. Before I had a chance to respond, Gonzales continued, displaying an uncanny familiarity and appreciation for K&N products. "A friend of mine initially sparked my interest in K&N," said Gonzales. "He had a 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z. Essentially he was looking for a cost effective way to get more horsepower out of his vehicle, so he decided to purchase a K&N high flow air filter. We immediately noticed the difference in throttle response and acceleration and the general overall quality of aspiration in the vehicle. I was instantly a fan of the relatively cheap cost, high quality, and longevity of all K&N products. I always recommend them over any other product."

A closer look at the Peacock Eel and African Brown Knife.

Gonzales drives a 1991 Nissan 300ZX twin turbo with a K&N performance air intake and K&N oil filter. A tremendous amount of time, money and effort has been invested by Gonzales to build this car in the direction of his vision. The 300 features new JWT's Sport 700 "Disco Potato" ball bearing turbos with three-inch downpipes, CP Pistons, Eagle Rods, Arp Head Studs, Nismo 850cc injectors, and a bunch more.

We ended up talking for about a half hour. I was very impressed with his genuine, real-world enthusiasm for K&N products. This was an average guy who heard about K&N and decided to try it. Through his own experience with the products, has become a K&N performance enthusiast.

The kids and I walked to the other side of the parking lot where our car was parked. The kids pointed out that the K&N decaled truck was still parked next to us. While the kids hopped into the back seat, I opened the passenger door to put the bloodworms on the floor. I just shook my head, as if I didn't believe it could be, when I discovered the bloodworms had melted once again. "Well," I thought to myself. "That's just how it's going to be."

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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