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Vickie Golden Wins Back-to-Back Motocross Gold at 2012 X Games 18

26 Jul 2012

At the 2012 X Games Vickie Golden won her second Women's Motocross gold.

It hasn't even been a full year since Vickie Golden turned 19. Last year she celebrated by winning gold at the 2011 X Games 17, at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, California. The Games returned to the Staples Center this year and Vickie once again made it clear that she is the Women's Motocross event gold standard. Still technically a teenager, Golden has now collected her second straight X Games gold medal.

In the main event the K&N sponsored rider refused to be denied as she willed her Poynt/RWR Racing Kawasaki into the hole-shot, then lead from starting-gate to checkered flag, the same as she did last year. Golden and her riding coach Sean Hamblin, her trainer Tyler Kalisiak, mechanic Andrew Bauer, and pressure training partner Ronnie Faiss, laid out a plan of attack and Golden executed it to perfection. Age may only be a number, yet wisdom and maturity can strike at any time, if only you pay attention and are willing to pay the dues as Golden sees it.

In a flash of speed and color Golden once more set the gold standard.

Winning gold is becoming a part of your birthday celebration, how's it feel backing last year's win by getting it done once again?

"Yes it has! They moved X Games up a month so it was an early birthday gift this time. It feels great to be able to go back-to-back. This year was even more rewarding with being able to help The Seth Foundation raise awareness at such a big event like X Games."

How does this one compare to the first one, did you feel more pressure as defending champion, and how did you deal with that pressure?

"The pressure was definitely on this year. Normally pressure hurts me, but this was a different kind. I think it was because I was so confident coming in that nothing else mattered."

Get us up to date on what's been happening with you in the WMX series and your other racing venues?

Golden credits her riding coach for helping her to deal with the expectations of being a defending champion.

"This year I made the decision to skip the outdoor series for many reasons. It costs a lot to go around the country and race and that's something I'm not swimming in. So I put what little money I do have into X-Games. It provides more coverage for my sponsors and me. I also have a torn Achilles that really gives me more trouble racing outdoors. Luckily when I'm riding Arenacross and Supercross it doesn't bother me near as much."

How's life overall at nearly the ripe age of 20?

"It's great! I definitely don't feel 20. When I was younger my dad had a pretty bad crash riding and he ended up paralyzed, and I had to grow up early. So now with every passing birthday I'm waiting for my age to catch up to how old I really feel! Plus, with all the crashes my body doesn't feel 20 either. Ha-ha."

Care to comment on your high-visibility color coordinated riding gear?

"That's one of those things that just worked out. The bike had a lot of blue in it so Alpinestars sent me a set of blue and white boots. O'Neal just sent me blue and orange gear; I didn't even pick it out. The We-are MX gloves brand makes a rad set of yellow goggles, and the Shoei helmet was painted by ‘Mandingopickles' with their colors being orange, green and yellow. Everything just went with everything else, so it was pretty crazy that it all worked out that way."

What are your thoughts about going for a possible golden trifecta next year?

"I have definitely given it thought, but then I try not to. A lot can happen in a year. If I come in as healthy and confident as this year, I predict the same result, but right now it's time to put my focus towards Arenacross."

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.

NHRA Pro Stock Champ Mike Edwards Sports K&N Colors at Last Two Western Swing Races

25 Jul 2012

2009 NHRA Pro Stock Champion Mike Edwards shines a positive light on his national Young Life Program

"Only a life lived for others is worth living" believed Albert Einstein. The Nobel Prize winner for physics, and NHRA Pro Stock driver Mike Edwards, it appears, have both been inspired by the exact same insight. After Edwards won the 2009 NHRA Pro Stock Championship he's quoted saying "When you win a championship like we did in 2009 that brings more TV attention and more public awareness. That just opened up the door for our other program, which is far more important than anything else we do, and that's the Young Life program."

The Young Life program provides a message of hope to middle school and high school students throughout the United States, and Edwards credits his association with the program for reinvigorating his career. Edwards defines his life by how successful he is with helping others, and being a 30-time race winner allows him to answer that calling.

For the final two stops on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Western Swing through Sonoma and Seattle, Edwards will bring together his skills for racing, with his innate talents for spreading positive messages.

1320 Wraps by Fineline provided the stunning graphics, K&N delivers the support, and Mike Edwards will bring the heat to the final two races on NHRA Western Swing.

"It's been great to represent K&N for the past three seasons as a partner with our race team," Edwards said. "Our marketing partnership has grown during that time and for the second year we have put together a program for Sonoma and Seattle to allow K&N to have a major representation on our Pontiac in its home state. As a team, we are proud to be associated with such a reputable company and be a major component in K&N's strategic plan of marketing its products in the drag racing arena."

Edwards will once again dawn a new look for the final two stops on the NHRA race calendar. His Pontiac GXP will be fully clad in an impossible to ignore K&N graphic design, provided by 1320 Wraps by Fineline. Since 1990, Fineline has be creating world-class designs and state-of-the-art graphics, and their work on Edwards's car is nothing short of spectacular. The K&N logo dominates both doors with the company's distinct color stripes running the length of the car.

"K&N continues to support the Pro Stock class in many ways. We feel this is the premier professional category that use our products in competition," commented Steve Williams, vice president at K&N Filters. "We just completed the K&N Horsepower Challenge and are looking forward to the last couple of races of the Western Swing with Mike and his team flying the K&N colors."

"The competition is so close between all the Pro Stock drivers and teams, and that has produced fantastic racing within the factory hot rods the last few years," Williams continued. "Once again, through our Engineering and Marketing programs, we have worked closely with Mike and his entire team on a special design for Sonoma and Seattle, and we are looking forward to being in the winner's circle."

Edwards and his team share the same constructive enthusiasm, and look forward to making good on Williams' encouraging confidence. "We will hit Sonoma and Seattle with the new design and plan to carry K&N to a couple of winner's circles," declared Edwards. "As a team we are excited to do this for K&N and we want to do them proud on the West Coast."

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.

Victory for Terry McCarl in 410 Sprint Class at Knoxville Raceway & Huset's Speedway

25 Jul 2012

Teri McCArl and his team are looking forward to continuing a successful run in 2012.

Although confidence was on the driver's side, his luck went south quickly. Starting toward the back in the feature, McCarl still had ample opportunity to end the race in the top ten, that is, prior to a double-file restart with twenty five laps to go. Previously destroying a car in a double-file restart, McCarl was not excited about being in such a situation. As luck would have it, the driver found himself in the same predicament again when; everyone got caught up in a tangle in front of him. On a positive note, McCarl felt a sense of relief upon learning that the car that ran into him from behind wasn't his son, Austin. Referring to the status of his car following the crash, Teri McCarl said, "Literally everything was junk."

Teri McCArl recently earned his fifty-second win at Knoxvlle Raceway

McCarl's car was trashed and he didn't have a spare. He was in a pickle until his good friend, Lynton Jeffrey, offered to lend him one of his, allowing an opportunity to run the Twin-Features night at Knoxville and Huset's. Graciously accepting the offer, Teri McCarl was back in business again.

During the Twin-Features night at Knoxville, the driver was second quick in his new ride. Although unsure of exactly what to do with the set-up, and driving a car that handled differently from what he was accustomed to, McCarl still managed to earn two solid finishes and in turn stay on pace for the points lead with fellow driver, Davey Heskin.

Rolling into Huset's confident with the success he had recently experienced at Knoxville, the driver was anxious for the waving of the green flag to get the show underway. After qualifying seventh, McCarl swept the remainder of the night. Winning his heat race, McCarl earned a spot on the pole. Upon the waving of the green flag in the feature, he immediately took the lead and had no intentions of doing anything short of taking the win. In fact the driver led the race from flag to flag, putting him at the top of the podium.

Teri McCarl's ability to face diversity head on and then experience immediate success is a testimony to his experience and skills. On the other hand, experience has also taught him that maintenance plays a huge role in his overall record throughout each and every season. That in mind, McCarl and his team depend upon K&N products to keep the internal components of their engines contaminant free. Referring to K&N filters' performance, and how they differ from other filter brands, the driver said, "K&N products are the best, because of the quality of material and technology used in making their products."

Teri McCarl and his crew are looking forward to the remainder of the season. Referring to his game plan, he said, "The key to success during the remainder of 2012 will be hard work, keeping the engines strong, and luck."

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.

NHRA Super Street & Super Comp's Michelle Furr Earns Lucas Oil Division 2 Wally at Atlanta Dragway

25 Jul 2012

Family is a critical part in Michelle Furr's success

K&N sponsored drag racer Michelle Furr is living a dream. Just past the halfway mark in the season, Furr has already won multiple Wally's, the world-famous trophy awarded to event winners at NHRA competitions. The most surprising part of it all, though, might be Furr's experience, or relative lack thereof.

"What most people don't realize is the National Event in Charlotte was just my eighth National, and the Divisional in Atlanta was only my fourth Divisional race," Furr said. "To have finally reached this level of racing in the NHRA and to have done so well, so quickly, feels good."

Michelle Furr is racking up the NHRA victories in both Super Street Camaro and Super Comp dragster classes

Furr has been on a hot streak of late. In her last 5 events Furr has three wins and a runner-up while racing both Super Street in a Chevrolet Camaro, and Super Comp in a dragster. Her daughter, Madi, also found victory lane at a Junior Dragster event in Charlotte.

"The last five events have been a drag racers dream," Furr added. "If I had to pick my favorite moment this season, it would have to be when they handed me the brass National Event Wally to go along with the pewter one. I've dreamed about that Wally since I was a little girl, and now thanks to a lot of hard work and support from an awesome husband, Rick, my children, Madi and Adiayn, and the very best companies like K&N Filters and Ohio Crankshaft, we've done it three times now."

Furr isn't done yet, either. Following her Lucas Oil Division 2 win in Atlanta, the family has already set their sights on a return trip to Charlotte, where she has won the last two events.

"I kind of like that place," Furr said, with a hint of sarcasm. "Seriously, it's going to be neat to go back there and see if we can do three in a row. Do I think we can do it? Absolutely. I wouldn't show up at any track if I didn't think we could win. You have to believe in yourself. Sometimes life doesn't work out the way we want it to, but I'll be there and I'll be ready to give it all I've got."

Furr was conflicted when asked which car she prefers to drive.

"That's a hard question. I love the pro mod-style burnouts I get to do in the Camaro, and it's so much fun to get to drive one of the coolest cars Chevrolet ever made. But there is nothing like feeling yourself being pushed back into the seat and the upward pressure at one hundred and eighty miles per hour in the dragster is wicked."

Furr said K&N Filters' support has been instrumental in her success.

"K&N is just the best. We were so excited to partner with K&N; we have honestly used K&N products since the early '90s with confidence. When you know something works, you stick with it. We had so much confidence in K&N that when they asked us to try the new K&N carbon fiber dragster scoop, we bolted it on between the two Charlotte wins and didn't even go test. We made the first qualifying pass and were thrilled with the results of added miles per hour, great performance and the added bonus of having an air filter protecting our engine while giving optimum performance. K&N is on everything we own, from the racecars to our personal cars, the tow vehicle, and even the generators."

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.

Carl Renezeder's Pro-4 Lucas Oil Off Road Series Race at Miller Motorsports Park Marks 98th Win

25 Jul 2012

After a succession of bad luck during the early part of the 2012 season, Carl Renezeder recently earned two podium spots during the rounds seven and eight of the LOORS at Miller Motorsports Park.

Throughout the years, Carl Renezeder has earned a reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the world of off-road racing, and rightfully so. Throughout his career, the driver has practically become a fixture on the podium. In fact, as of the season's end in 2011, the driver had logged a staggering ninety seven wins. That said, the he was stricken with a string of bad luck during the first part of this season. Managing to weather the storms, Renezeder appears to be back on track now, as he recently earned career victory number ninety eight in Tooele, Utah during rounds seven and eight of the Lucas Oil Off Road series at the Miller Motorsports Park.

Qualifying second in the Pro-4 class on the opening day, after a four truck inversion the driver started the race in the third spot. After passing Greg Alder in lap three, Renezeder embarked upon a fierce battle with Todd LeDuc, which continued until the mandatory caution in the tenth lap. The drivers remained toe-to-toe for the following four laps, but upon taking the lead with only six laps to go, Renezeder never looked back and took the checkered flag, earning the top spot on the podium.

"After qualifying second, I knew I had the speed to win the upcoming race," recalled Carl Renezeder. "The key to winning was persistence and planning. Once I take the lead, I just concentrate on my driving and winning. It felt great," he continued. "Everyone loves to win."

Carl Renezeder is nearing the one hundred win mark of his career

With the victory behind him, the driver then focused on the upcoming pro-2 race. Although his confidence was high, the rigors of off-road racing took their toll during the early laps when the right-rear tire went flat. Although his crew did a great job at getting the tire changed during the mandatory caution, enough time had transpired to put Renezeder one-half a lap behind the leaders at the restart. The driver did manage to catch the field and pass two trucks though during the second half of the race, cinching him a ninth place finish.

Rolling into Miller Motorsports Park on the following day, Carl Renezeder earned a third place start during the qualifying round of the Pro-4 class. After experiencing a few issues, the driver crossed the finish line in the fourth spot.

Earning the pole starting position on the Pro-2 class, Renezeder, was prepared for a heaping helping of competition, as the wind, dust, and chaos would play a role in the overall outcome of the final race of the event. Battling for position with several trucks throughout the race, Carl Renezeder experienced a flat on the right rear during the closing laps. Although the malfunction kept the driver from catching and passing the front two trucks, Renezeder managed to cross the finish line in third place, earning a spot on the podium for the second time during the weekend.

Referring to the second day of the event, Renezeder said, "Considering I qualified first in both pro and pro-4, my confidence was great! I have great tires, but sometimes stuff just happens. I think the remainder of the season will only get better," he continued. "My team keeps ironing out all of the kinks. Without my team, I'd never get to the podium. They build, tune, and prep my trucks to win."

Carl Renezeder and his team are strong advocates of maintaining their vehicles. That in mind, they depend upon K&N products to keep their engines free of debris. #34;I've been using K&N products for at least nine years," explained the driver. "We use K&N air, oil filters, and filter cleaners because they work. Their products have helped us succeed because they are the best products for our trucks and the best products on the market."

As there are several races to come in 2012, Carl Renezeder is anticipating his one-hundredth career win before the season's end. "We have a promotion on our 'Team Renezeder' Facebook page promoting a ride-along with Carl contest for my 100th win," he explained. "I think my one-hundredth win will be pretty spectacular for me." When asked his expectations for the remainder of the season, Carl Renezeder didn't waste any words; with a single breath he answered, "Wins."

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.