Latest News | Read Our Blog

Cole Cabrera Won His First Super Late Model Race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

22 Apr 2011

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Racer Cole Cabrera

Often times, in the world of auto racing, drivers follow a natural progression on their way to the top. In NASCAR, it usually starts at the local short track, moving from Legends to Late Models, and eventually to the touring K&N Pro Series before arriving at the track for one of the Big 3 events. In Open Wheel cars, the progression starts in karting, moves to sprint cars, and then into formula cars and eventually one of several minor league divisions utilizing indy-like cars.

Cole Cabrera's #53 Stock Car

But, while most of the drivers who race at a premier level have graduated from a traditional development line, some drivers take extreme approaches. Some times it works, some times it fails, but at least they tried something different. For Cole Cabrera, it appears to be working. The California kid has never stayed in a series for more than two years, yet finds his name listed amongst the most intriguing stock car prospects on the west coast.

At 14, he captured his first win in the ASA Truck Series (only the second 14-year-old to do so) in just his second series start. At 16, he jumped head first into the three elite stock car classes on the west coast. First, he debuted his K&N Pro Series car at the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, shocking the likes of Steven Wallace, Eric Holmes, Jason Bowles and other veterans of the NASCAR world by racing his way into the main event in the last chance qualifier.

Cole Cabrera won his first Super Late Model race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Bullring

Then, less than a month ago, he grabbed headlines again, winning in his first ever Super Late Model start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Bullring.

Did it surprise him? Of course not.

"I hope this doesn't sound conceited, but I believe I can win every time I race," said the 16-year-old. "It's the edge I think I need to perform at this level. The competition is so tough, sometimes I look around at the track and think 'Wow! There's twenty teams that could win this race.'"

Cabrera has fallen on harder times in the last month. Although he has had Top-5 cars on the speed charts during a Super Late race at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale and both SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour races so far, Cabrera has zero quality finishes to show, running into a myriad of problems not of his doing. Still, Cabrera is not worried.

"We have worked really hard to get me where I'm at. It's not by luck. We test a lot and my crew chief Mike Munoz is always building the next fast setup. I work hard to understand racecars and that gives me an advantage. I try to take an intelligent approach to my racing," Cabrera added.

Intelligent might best describe Cabrera's approach at Las Vegas, when he used patience to work track stalwart Alex Haas, finally making a pass with 5 laps to go.

"It felt great. It always does win you beat the best. I've raced against older, stronger talent my whole life. The saying 'You're only as good as your competition' is a favorite of mine. I never underestimate my competitors, so that makes beating them all the better."

Cabrera, who started his racing career on dirt, first on quads, then motorcycles, and finally in Sprint Cars before moving to the pavement in a INEX Legend car, ranked his win at LVMS just ahead of his experience at the Showdown, but only because he "really likes winning."

"I think I could have won the Showdown, but we really didn't show up with good enough equipment. But it was a great learning experience."

Cabrera will compete for the SRL Championship full time this season. The series returns to Las Vegas in May. The SRL already visited The Bullring, and Cabrera got everyone's attention at a track he now feels very comfortable at, making him a popular pick to be the next first-time winner in the Southwest Tour. The team will also continue running the Super Late at The Bullring, Toyota Speedway, Orange Show Speedway, and Cabrera will make a few more starts in the K&N Pro Series as 2011 advances into the summer.

When asked about K&N's products, Cabrera lit up. "I grew up with K&N, it's all I know! Everything else is an imitation to me. K&N Filters are in everything we have, from our racecars, to our personal cars, and even our toys. I'm all about my equipment being the best, and you can't have that without K&N."

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.

Modified Kart Racer Mitch Guthrie Jr. and the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series

22 Apr 2011

Modified Kart Racer Mitch Guthrie Jr.

Mitch Guthrie Jr. is not your normal high school freshman. While most teenagers are finishing up their first year of high school, planning summer vacation and avoiding the senior bullies, Guthrie is strapping into his Modified Kart in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series on the weekends, where he is currently battling Mitchell DeJong for the championship.

Guthrie Racings' Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Modified Kart

Guthrie started the year with a disappointing 8th place finish in a race marred by crashes, but the following day, picked up the win at Firebird Raceway. Three weeks later, Guthrie found himself on the podium two more times, capturing 2nd on Saturday and the win on Sunday at Speedworld Off Road Park.

Ever confident in his ability, Guthrie delivered a calm response when asked about his team's recovery from the opening round crash. "It felt very good to get a couple wins. I knew we could do it."

Mitch Guthrie Jr. is no stranger to the podium in 2011

The win's are far from Gurthrie's first in the wild world of off road racing. Last season, Guthrie finished 4th overall, and 2nd in the regional point's standings, collecting a win and 4 podium finishes. In 2009 he captured the TORC 250cc Modified Kart Championship. This season, he is looking to regain his championship form of two years ago.

"I need to stay consistent and win races. Hopefully we can get the points lead for good and win the championship. We've had good trucks. I just had to put the wreck behind me and be confident."

Mission accomplished.

Guthrie says his friends from school think the racing looks cool, but his closest friends are the ones at the track, often times his biggest competition. "I don't think my (school) friends even realize how fast we are going. I think my closest friends are actually the one's I race with every weekend."

Guthrie is already an accomplished student and racer, and if all goes well in 2011, he has his eyes set on moving up to a bigger division next year.

"I want to hopefully move up to a class like Pro Lite V8. The goal is to keep moving up into bigger and faster vehicles until I hit the top."

Rounds 5 & 6 of the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will be held in San Bernardino, CA at Glen Helen Raceway on May 21-22.

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.

Shea Holbrook Wins Grand Prix of Long Beach & Becomes 2nd Woman to Win a World Challenge Event

21 Apr 2011

Before the race Shea Holbrook was happy to just be at the Long Beach race, and to help host a fantastic Pirelli World Challenge event, and to perhaps attract new motorsports enthusiast to the series.

In a single moment Shea Holbrook's entire life was altered forever. She went from being on a post race high, to being overcome with the ultimate sense of euphoria with these words, "Shea, you won the Grand Prix of Long Beach - not many people can say that."

It was clearly Shea Holbrook's time to shine at the Grand Prix of Long Beach and it was a jubilant moment her entire team shared with her.

"It was an odd feeling because I experienced it differently," Holbrook said. "At first I literally thought, okay… but when the official looked me in the eye and said those words, everything changed. I was living the dream I had dreamt about over the past five years."

The Grand Prix of Long Beach is the largest, most prestigious street race in the United States, and by winning her class, Shea Holbrook became just the second female winner in World Challenge history. Shea Holbrook won in the Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car division with an estimated 120,000 spectators watching. She also earned the Optima Batteries Best Standing Start Award and the Sunoco Hard Charger Award for improving 14 positions from her 33rd overall spot on the combined class grid.

Shea Holbrook and her team went into the weekend with a healthy dose of awe for simply being in the race at Long Beach. Their goals were uncomplicated - to help host a fantastic Pirelli World Challenge event, attract new motorsports enthusiast to the series, and in particular the touring car division - and to finish in the top-five.

For years Shea Holbrook says she dreamt of winning the race, and the Hard Charger Award, and the Best Standing Start Award - she can cross that off her to-do list now.

"Once again, we had to learn yet another racecar," remarked Holbrook. (In her last race, at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, resourceful thinking and incredible fan loyalty were indispensable in getting her a last minute ride after she crashed her own car in the first race)

Not only did Shea Holbrook become the second woman to ever to win a World Challenge event, she did it in a rented car.

"The practice and qualifying sessions did not showcase our talent. I also knew though, that when it comes to race day, I could pull it together to perform and put the car where it should be. On grid something got into me, it must have been the ocean air. I had an awesome launch off the start and was able to gain a few positions due to passes and an accident. A third of the way through the race I almost lost the car, getting it up on two wheels in the fountain, and as I was in the air I saw camera crews duck. But I completed the pass on Devin Cates in T1 for second place."

"We finished strong and I was able to race in clean air, which allowed me to work on my line, and let off the brakes earlier and roll through the corners. I wasn't sure who was ahead, but I knew I was top-four."

Shea Holbrook's team owner and dad, Jeff, came over the radio and said, "Shea this has been a very good weekend for everyone, you ran constant times with a fast lap of 1.38.93, you had a clean race, and you just finished second place!"

"The cool down lap was the hardest lap of the race because I was screaming, fighting back tears of excitement, and all I could think about was what this means to the team and my family," continued Holbrook.

"I saw so many people running down pit lane as I was getting out of the car. It was absolutely the best moment of my career so far. This experience has been unreal. I accomplished all the goals I wanted to accomplish this year, a top-five finish, the Sunoco Hard Charger Award, and the Optima Batteries Best Standing Start Award."

It was shortly after that triumphed moment when she was informed by the race official that the race leader, Rafael Navarro IV, in the Volkswagen GTI was disqualified after technical inspection.

"To be told that I was the first female winner since 1996, and that I'd be rightfully claiming the title as the Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car Grand Prix of Long Beach Winner... I couldn't help but let my emotions out."

With the win, Shea Holbrook becomes the first female World Challenge winner since Melanie Snow captured the S1 class win at Sears Point in 1996.

We asked Shea Holbrook if all the distractions leading up to the race, and the team's reduced expectations, actually allowed her to race and do her thing more clearly.

"Oh most definitely. I knew I had it in me to win the Grand Prix, I just didn't think it would happen this year. I don't want to degrade my ability to be a winner. I've been running with some of my fellow seasoned competitors for a few years now, and I know that my driving ability is up to prime. It was just incredible that we were able to do it in a rented car."

"I saw Lyn St. James before the race, and she reminded me what it takes to be successful in the industry, something I've been working at very hard. It also reminded me how badly I want to make my own footprint in the industry as a female. To be in the category of female winners at Long Beach is breathtaking and extremely humbling."

Shea Holbrook and her team understand that doors have been opened for her with this monumental victory and she says she hopes the opportunities are endless. She adds, "Because I'm now sitting third in the points standing and I want to continue with a full season in Touring Car. I hope to make connections with teams, and potential partners, with my success at Long Beach."

"It was my time to shine! I've had dreams about these achievements. I listen to a certain song, and envision myself actually winning both the Sunoco Hard Charger Award and Optima Batteries Best Standing Start Award. It's amazing to say that the whole team accomplished all of this within one weekend, and it couldn't have been done without the support from Honda, Lucas Oil, K&N Filters, and MyPluggz.com."

"This race win means so much, to so many people that are a part of Shea Racing, but this first race win is especially dedicated to my cousin Matthew who passed in 2008 from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Being an advocate for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy has become a huge and life changing part of my life."

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 Fensler Wins NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Race at All-American Speedway in Roseville, CA

20 Apr 2011

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Driver Jason Fensler

Jason Fensler is making the most of his starts in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. In only the fifth start of his career, Fensler won the race at All-American Speedway in Roseville, Calif., on Saturday night.

Jason Fensler led the last eight laps of the race.

He led the last eight laps of the race, taking advantage of a late-race caution after Eric Holmes spun out.

Fensler had to work his way through the field after a poor qualifying effort. He took the lead from Moses Smith on lap 143, the final restart of the race, and held on for the win. It was Fensler's first win since 2008 at Altamont Raceway Park.

"We didn't qualify that well. We started 15th. We had to start toward the back of the pack," said Fensler, a driver from Wilton, Calif. "We just kept ourselves in position the whole entire race and that was the key. We didn't have real good car, but we put ourselves in position. Once we got all bundled up there toward the end, I just knew on the last restart to get the best run I could off a of two and it worked out for us."

Jason Fensler Wins K&N Pro Series race at All-American Speedway in Roseville, CA

Pole winner Greg Pursley led a race-high 133 laps. He and Holmes collided on lap 134 and Smith took over the lead. Fensler and Holmes made contact on lap 137, which resulted in Holmes spinning out. When the race resumed on lap 143, Fensler took the lead.

"We had a good car all day. It practiced good, it qualified good," Smith said. "In the race it was really good. We were trying to save a little bit toward the end, hoping for a late-race yellow and it came. We were able to jump out there in the lead for a little while. Really didn't want that last caution to come out. It did and it got the best of us. It was just good short-track racing."

Smith finished second, followed by Pursley in third. Rookies Dylan Kwasniewski and Eric Schmidt finished fourth and fifth. Purlsey was in search of his fourth win in his past five West Series starts. After the race, he said he was happy with a third-place finish despite dominating the most of the race, leading the first 133 laps.

"That's typical Roseville racing, short-track, Saturday night racing here," Pursley said. "Happy to come out of here with a third because I'm usually the one that gets spun out going to the back. Happy with tonight's outcome."

Pursley leads the West Series standings after two races. He is 48 points ahead of Smith in second. Brett Thompson, who finished eighth at Roseville, is third in the West Series standings.

The next NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race is at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah on April 30.

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.

Big Mac Racing's Daniel McClelland and Greg Ventura Get it Done at Fontana Summit Series

20 Apr 2011

Greg Ventura says his goals for 2011 are to make the Summit E.T. Series Race of Champions as well, and to finish in the top three in the Southern California Pro Gas Association, and to win a NHRA National Event.

Big Mac Racing rolled into the race at the Fontana Summit Series and both Daniel McClelland and Greg Ventura came away with wins. The McClelland family has been racing under the Big Mac Racing family name since 1974. "My dad, Dave McClelland, and I started this team when we brought out the first 'Tuna Tank' which was a Fiat Topolino B/Altered car," explained Kevin, Daniel's dad. "This was a quick car for its time, running in the low nine second range, and it gave me the driving skills that I use to this day. Guess that's why I've always raced roadsters and door cars."

Big Mac Racing's Daniel McClelland got a big win and semi final finish at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.

Kevin McClelland is a Sr. Special Project Manager at K&N Engineering. "I've been with K&N for about two-and-half years," says Kevin. "At K&N I have a wide range of responsibilities which run from product development for our O.E. business, new business development, to marketing and operations support."

It was Kevin's son Daniel driving the Big Mac Racing wagon for the win and semi final finish at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

"That weekend was a better result than I could have hoped for," Kevin told K&N Race News. "These two races put me in a solid third place in the points standings. With four races left to go, it's nice to have a first place finish in sight. To succeed in drag racing you really have to have your head in the game, and it can be pretty tough to bounce back after a poor result. I feel like I've got great momentum going into the next race."

Daniel raced a 1980 Malibu wagon built specially to race in two different classes. Last season the team focused on the NHRA Stock Eliminator category, running a 305 sbc (small block) and turbo 350 transmission combination. Says Daniel, "It's a bit slower due to class rules, and it requires a different skill-set to drive. During the off season we swapped engines to our faster and more consistent 350 lt4 with Powerglide transmission. With this drivetrain package the car is deadly consistent and a blast to drive."

Greg Ventura, who generally drives his 1966 Nova in the NHRA Super Gas class, earned a big win the Super Pro on Saturday. "Daniel and I had been pressuring him to come out and race with the Summit Series crowd," Kevin said. "Boy after this weekend he's sure happy that he did. He was on track to double up as he had won on Saturday, and carried his winning streak all the way to the final round on Sunday. He also moved up to second place in points with his dominating weekend."

Race News has reported on Kevin Ventura in the past, he works as a Material Lifecycle Analyst for K&N. The Summit E.T. Series at the Auto Club Speedway was Ventura's first race of the 2011 season.

Daniel says his goals for this year are, "The Summit ET Finals are located here in Fontana California this year. With the track just five miles from my house my main goal is to qualify for the Race of Champions this year at the ET finals. That requires a top four finish in points at the end of the season, and with my current points standings I feel confident I can reach that goal."

"My goal is one in the same with Daniel's," continues Kevin. "I'm currently in ninth places in the Super Pro class and in my Super Gas Roadster. With four more races to go in the series I need strong finishes to move to the top four. My goal is for Daniel and me to both be in the Race of Champions and win. There would be nothing better if we were to represent Division 7 at the NHRA Auto Club Finals in Pomona against the best in the country!"

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.