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Stephanie Herbage Leads Every Lap at Perris and Gets to Savor First Victory

27 Apr 2011

Stephanie isn't only a gifted driver she's also a full-time college student, holding down two part-time jobs.

"There are really no words that can express how I feel. I am so overwhelmed with joy, happiness, and just all around grateful that I was given the chance to just be one of the veterans," remarked Stephanie Herbage after earning her first ever stock car race win at Perris Auto Speedway.

It required the entire Herbage Family Flying Circus team to get Stephanie’s new car into winning form at Perris Auto Speedway, which is why she shares her first win with them.

Last season was Stephanie's rookie year racing American Factory Stock Cars, and she competed in all but the first three races in a borrowed car, as her car was wrecked in only her third outing. But this determined Moreno Valley, California teenager wasn't about to let a little thing like a totaled racecar deter her competitive instincts.

The race in Perris, California, last week turned into a very emotional event for both Stephanie and the entire Herbage Family Flying Circus team, as they worked extremely hard to get her new racecar ready. The team struggled in the hot laps and failed to make the heat race because of fuel delivery problems, and it looked as though she wouldn't make the main event. The crew however, in a Herculean effort, corrected the problem, and Stephanie was able to start the main event on the front as a result of the inversion.

"As luck would have it, they inverted the field for the main event, placing her on the pole to start the race," explained Marti Herbage, Stephanie's mom. Marti is a Customer Account Manager at K&N Engineering, Inc.

In her car Stephanie becomes a fierce competitor, but when she's out of the car, she's a bright, friendly, young woman with a sharp sense of humor, and a growing base of adoring fans.

With her car now running at top performance, Stephanie took an early lead, and employing her ability to hug the inside line, she managed to keep all comers at bay. She only had a couple of bobbles, where she over-steered, or got loose, but she recovered quickly enough to avoid being passed by the second place car. Stephanie went on to lead all 25-laps, holding off a field that included veteran driver Keith Woods, who rode her bumper for the final laps of the race.

"Considering the initial problems with the car, and not being in the heat race, her goal was to just do her best and finish as close to first place as possible," said Marti. "Being in the lead for so many laps was exciting, but the veteran challengers, Keith Wood and Jeff Gullim made her nervous. Being able to finish in first place was equally surprising and exciting. Now she feels like a true racer!"

Even after each of the three yellow flags during the race, no one was able to beat her at the green flag. Stephanie's natural talents, honed by the experience she acquired last season, a totally dedicated crew and excellent track conditions, all contributed to the perfect storm that was her first victory.

"It really was a number of factors" confirmed Stephanie. "The car was finally running perfectly. And I also have to give some credit to the other drivers for making this a clean race when they had plenty of opportunities to take me out. Now that I've had a taste of what winning is like, I'm definitely hungry for more."

There is every reason to believe that the young K&N sponsored racer will no doubt savor more victories in the very near future, Stephanie is extremely committed to making herself the very best she can be, as she doesn't merely drive her racecar, she works with her dad and brother preparing and fixing it. Long before she developed her new found appetite for winning, she was already plenty passionate to learn all she could about the mechanics of her car.

"We would also like to be sure to mention that this was the first race at which the Herbage Family Flying Circus had a complete pit crew of four members, and all contributed a great deal to getting the car running and on the track," added Marti.

The Herbage Family Flying Circus team consists of Ken Herbage (uncle), Jason Herbage (cousin), Dan Herbage (dad), and Stephanie's boyfriend Daniel Matlock. Her brother, Matt, is co-owner of the car along with her dad. Matt is responsible for all the off-track engine and car work. Stephanie's next race is back at Perris Auto Speedway on May 7th.

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The Speedline Racing Team and Sprint Car Driver Nick Davis

27 Apr 2011

Speedline Racings' Nick Davis

Nick Davis is in rebuilding mode, literally and figuratively. His Speedline Racing team has been working on a wingless sprint car to add to its collection of race cars. He's still a couple weeks away from making his season debut and start a schedule that will take his team to tracks throughout Northern California.

The Speedline Racing team has been working on a wingless sprint car to add to its collection of race cars.

The plan is to race at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico and rotate to tracks in Placerville, Marysville, Antioch, Chowchilla and Petaluma.

"In two to three weeks, we'll probably be heading to Chico," said Davis, a driver from Stockton. "Chico's such a fast track. We really like to run wide open. I like to run the top as much as humanly possible and Chico is an all-around fast track. We're going to run there. Probably our two favorite tracks we like to run are Placerville and Chico."

The next night of wingless and 360 sprints races in Chico are scheduled for May 13.

Davis had a bit of a rough season in 2010. He recorded only two top-10 finishes and ran into a number of mechanical problems.

Nick Davis is a big supporter of K&N Products.

"We kind of had some tough runs, went through a few motors," Davis said. "We kind of ended the season a little bit prematurely, which was unfortunate. We all sat down and looked at where the wingless cars were heading and where the growth was going to be. We made the initial investment, started going that way. Had some great off-season meetings with sponsors, but unfortunately a couple who were going to come in monetarily had to back out."

His team's season essentially ended in August, three months before the Pumpkin Cup races at Chowchilla Speedway, which was supposed to be the last race of the season for Speedline Racing. Instead of racing week to week in the fall, Davis and his team focused on putting together a new wingless sprint car.

"We're currently in a state of scrambling and trying to pick up the pieces of where we're at and do whatever we can to get out to the track," Davis said. "We're still putting everything together."

Running a variety of tracks is part of his team's strategy. Davis wants to experience having to adjust to different racing conditions so when his team makes a move up in class, it will be ready for any unexpected elements.

"We want to get out there and try our hand at everything," Davis said. "We're not the type of guys who necessarily like to run for a track championship. We really are more outlaw guys. We like a challenge. We're not ever comfortable at one place. That's one of the things we've always tried to do, make sure we're never comfortable. We constantly want to try to build and move forward. Part of what we've done is make sure that we're trying new tracks so that if eventually we do get up to the 360 classes we're right where we need to be and we feel comfortable with the fact that whatever comes our way, we know we can adapt."

Even though his team's season in 2010 ended early, Davis doesn't categorize it as a lost season. He likes to describe it as a growth year.

"From the previous year, we've been having some good runs. Last year, we were constantly up front and contenders, which was really good. Unfortunately, some little nuisances here and there have not gone our way," Davis said. "A lot of those things were fluke things. I wouldn't say it was a wasted year, because we got a lot great seat time. For the most part, it was a huge growth for our team. It's really invaluable experience. We had pretty high expectations. We didn't achieve 100 percent of our goals, but we definitely we achieved that we put the best car on the track. Last year, I come out with a positive note."

As if building a new car and preparing to race it at a variety of tracks wasn't enough for Speedline Racing, Davis said he wants notch his first win.

"We definitely want to pick up our first win," Davis said. "We've been striving and working and that's kind of been our No. 1 priority. We gotta get that first win."

Working with K&N is an important part of reaching that goal of recording the team's first win.

"At this point, anything helps," Davis said. "We are just so grateful. We want to grow a relationship not for just today, but for the future. We use 100 percent K&N. You can't beat them. Their filters are used on everything that we build, that we build for customers. We wouldn't go with anything else."

While that first win is important, Davis said he knows his team has to work its way up to that point.

"One of our big hopes is to have a decent first race and have a good showing," Davis said. "With everything that we have, there's no reason why success can't come our way. We're just really excited about all that's going to come. It's kind of hard because you don't know what to expect."

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.

El Gato Racing's Ernie Serfas Wins M.O.R. E. Balls Out 250 Desert Race

27 Apr 2011

The 302 powered four-link Ford Ranger number 1449 is piloted by Shawn Walters and Justin Rhynes.

El Gato Racing from Big Bear Lake, California runs two trucks in the 1450 Sportsman Class. Team owner Carl Walters' philosophy is that El Gato is all about the team and he doesn't much go for idle chit-chat, so when he talks it's because there's something to say.

In 2011 it was Ernie Serfas getting the win at the Ball Out 250 in Barstow, driving the 1491 Trophy Truck.

"Ernie took a first in the desert in 1491. We only entered the one truck. We're going to expand our operation a little bit and bring the trucks to Glen Helen for both the short course and Baja Cup Challenge Series," reported Walters to K&N Race News.

The team has expanded their racing program to include Primm, Nevada, and Glen Helen raceways, as this year the expectations are that participation at these two spectator venues will increase sharply.

"It was supposed to be a year for depth and reorganization and that did happen, but the tragic incident in August that claimed so many lives also claimed a competing organization. The resultant governmental knee-jerk reaction has all but brought desert racing in California to its knees," says Walters, referring to the off-road race in southern California's Mojave Desert that claimed eight lives last year.

El Gato Racing's Ernie Serfas is the current class leader.

"Through it all El Gato raced and culminated last season with Ernie Serfas taking the win in the 1491 truck and J.J. Hanson in the 1469 truck backing him up with second place at the Toys for Tots Barstow event," continued Walters. "It was a nice sweep for the El Gato team in the 1450 Sportsman Class. It was also an uneventful race with both trucks completing the 200 mile event without mishap or breakdown."

"This is when and where the K&N products prove themselves time and time again," says Walters. "We stay competitive because we have this K&N support and that gives us the edge. Ernie recently backed up his December win with yet another first place at the March 21 Balls Out 250."

In 2010 El Gato Racing won and took second place in the M.O.R. E. (Mojave Off-Road Racing Enthusiast) Balls Out 250 desert off-road race. "Over the past several years M.O.R.E. has emerged as the premier Southern California desert race scene and we're going to stay with them," Walters said.

This year Serfas is the current class leader, "And he's going for the title," adds Walters. "In the meantime two of our roving pit members, Adam and Cory, are preparing a fresh trophy truck chassis which with any luck will debut later this fall."

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.

2010 to 2015 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor with 6.2 Liter Engine Gets Serious Power with K&N

25 Apr 2011

K&N Air Intake Installed on 2010 Ford F-150 Raptor 6.2L

Dyno Chart for 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L

Out of all Ford F-150 models available, the SVT Raptor is by far, the most exciting truck to drive. Geared toward higher performance than the other models, the F-150 SVT Raptor is a high-powered pickup truck designed for off-road domination. Ford’s website states that the Raptor gets 411 horsepower and 434 ft/lb of torque from models equipped with the 6.2L engine. The SVT Raptor’s bold appearance, aggressive power and durable construction make it a great truck to own.

K&N Air Intake System for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Ford F-150 Raptor 6.2L 2010-f-150-raptorS

In order to squeeze more power and torque out of your 6.2L engine, K&N designed a performance air intake system 77-2579KTK for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor models that have the 6.2L engine. The 77-2579KTK was dyno-tested and produced an estimated gain of 20 horsepower at 4830 rpm. This is a significant amount of extra power resulting from a simple cold air intake installation.

Detailed installation instructions with color photo illustrations are included in the 77-2579KTK air intake system packaging. Since the OEM airbox and washer reservoir are mounted together, the K&N air intake system also includes a new washer reservoir to replace the removed one. When it comes to adding significant performance to your Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, K&N’s 77-2579KTK is one of the most cost-effective ways available.

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L

In addition to a guaranteed performance boost, the 77-2579KTK was designed with a washable high flow K&N air filter, part RF-1044XD, so it can be cleaned, oiled and reused. This air filter can go for up to 100,000 miles between cleanings depending on driving conditions. Once it does get dirty K&N’s Recharger Kit makes the cleaning process very simple.

K&N backs the 77-2579KTK with a million mile limited warranty. It will be the last air intake and filter your Ford F-150 SVT Raptor will ever need.

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.

Jason Line Tightens Up Chase for Number One Spot in 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge After Concord

22 Apr 2011

K&N Horsepower Challenge Driver Jason Line

Taking the pole position for race day in NHRA Pro Stock had been a long time coming for Jason Line, the driver of one of the Summit Racing Pontiacs, and he not only had to wait until his return to the last facility he managed the feat, but knock off his teammate Greg Anderson in the process.

Jason Line with the Summit Racing NHRA Pro Stock Pontiac GXP

While Jason Line was pulling double-duty at the most recent NHRA national event in Concord, North Carolina, running both in Pro Stock and also Stock eliminator wheeling a 1970 Buick Grand Sport in C/SA, it was in the Pro Stock car where Line found his greatest success of the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at Zmax Dragway.

Line had been sneaking up on his first number one qualifier of 2011, consistently moving up each and every event since the season start and just prior to the Concord event had made his best qualifying position of the still early season, grabbing number two at Las Vegas. It seemed to be only a matter of time before Line found his way back to a number one qualifier and at Concord only Mother Nature and Anderson were standing in his way.

During Pro Stock session one on Friday afternoon, Line was a part of the final four cars to head down the track and made a respectable 6.622 lap to land at number six on the sheet.

With major weather threatening the scheduled events for the following day and the removal of the provisional qualifying for the 4-Wide event, all teams looked to take full advantage of the cooler track conditions during Friday's second session. Both Line and his teammate moved up a good handful of spots to end the day at one and two, Line one-hundredth of a second behind Anderson's 6.566.

After numerous rain delays on Saturday and some extremely nasty ones at that, the professional classes finally got to take to the track late in the afternoon. During Line's foursome, which again was the last to run during the session, he along with Allen Johnson, K&N's Mike Edwards and Anderson were all able to make runs in the fifty's, but not able to improve on their efforts from the day before.

With little time between sessions, Line came back in the fourth and final early Saturday evening to lay down the best pass of the pack, posting a 6.562 and ripped the pole away from Anderson by a mere four-thousandths of a second. The feat marked Line's eighteenth NHRA Pro Stock number one qualifier.

Not only did the top spot earn Line the maximum event points in the 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge, by doing so his team also grabbed the $3,000 bonus provided by K&N. With only five events left to earn points for the 2011 K&N Challenge, Line now moves within just fifteen points of current leader Allen Johnson.

The top seven qualified teams along with an eighth, as selected by fan vote, will battle it out for the largest single payday in all of NHRA Pro Stock. The 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge will be contested during the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio June 23-26, 2011.

The K&N Horsepower Challenge is not just for the Pro Stock competitors as it also includes a shot at one of eight trips to the 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge event with the K&N Horsepower Sweepstakes. The grand prize winner will drive away in a 2011 Ford Explorer XLT! For complete sweepstakes rules and information plus online entry form, visit today!

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.