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Jody Lang with his Stock Eliminator car, a 1981 Malibu station wagon
Drag Racer Jody Lang is on a hot streak of wins in NHRA drag racing. So far in the 2011 season he's won Stock at the Winter Nationals at Pomona Raceway, Stock at the Las Vegas Divisional race and Super Stock at the Summit Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He's on track for a great season and K&N had a chance to catch up with him to ask about his success.
NHRA Stock and Super Stock Drag Racer Jody Lang
Jody tells us "I've always liked cars growing up as a kid. I'd watch the occasional drag race on TV now and then. Finally in the mid 80's after going to a few local races I decided to give it a try myself." In 1985 Jody purchased his first car, a 1969 Chevelle, for bracket racing. Jody still owns his 69, but after getting experience and having some success at the local bracket races he decided it was time to step up on the NHRA divisional/national scene. In 1993 he first competed in Stock Eliminator with a 1981 Malibu station wagon.
One of the memories Jody shared with K&N came from the 1997 Super Chevy Show & Race held at Pacific Raceway. Jody entered three cars; his 69 Chevelle, his friend, Dave Kirks', 67 Chevelle, and his 78 Camaro street car. He ended up winning all three classes! "It was crazy, very intense, hopping from one car to the next" he says. That kind of excitement inspired him, because most of the races he attended were spread out over a three-four day period with lots of down time between runs and he wanted more action. So in 2004 he bought a 1981 Chevy Malibu to run in the Super Stock Class in addition to his Stock Eliminator 81 Malibu wagon. As many racers are now doing, this allowed Jody two entries to compete in the races he entered. Having two cars also allows drivers to collect more data which helps them tune and dial their cars for competition. Jody tells us about the challenges of handling a two car team, "Although late in a race this can be hectic with two cars, it keeps me busy as well as doubling my chances for fun while I'm there." Jody's first big win came at the 2009 Summit Racing Nationals at Las Vegas. When we say big win, we mean BIG win as he won in both Stock and Super Stock. Jody says "It was unbelievable." Lady luck was on his side in Vegas for sure, but as we all know Jody has tons of skills to back it up!
When we asked Jody why he uses K&N products in his winning race cars he tell us "I've used K&N air filters for years. Then after talking to some of the guys at K&N started running their oil filters too. The K&N air filters are a no brainer, they have great flow and are washable too. The oil filters are tough (trust me I cut them open for motor inspection purposes) and the nut on the bottom makes removal a breeze."
Jody also gets help on and off the track from a team of people including girlfriend Martha Thompson, brother Toby Lang, Eric Reyes, Howard Esping, George Scott at Turbo Technology, Dick Meierhenry, the guys at Freeway Trailer Sales, Truck Town, Hoosier Tires, DG Machine and Rod Stults. With this kind of drive and team spirit we think we will see Jody and his team in the winner's circle a lot this season.
Pro Stock Racers Dave Connolly and Mike Edwards at the NHRA Finals in Pomona
Join us in the pit with NHRA Pro Stock Racers Dave Connolly and Mike Edwards at the final NHRA drag race event of the season. Both drivers explain how their season has been going so far and how they hope to become the next Pro Stock Champion at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, California.
Pro Stock Racers Dave Connolly and Mike Edwards at the NHRA Finals in Pomona
Millican is a name you know but this story is not about Clay Millican, professional drag racer with 6 Top Fuel Championships, this story about his son, Dalton. Dalton has racing in his blood and literally grew up racing. One day Dalton plans on moving into a Top Fuel car and race with his Dad's team, but for now all of his racing has been on an ATV in the AMA ATV National MX Series.
ATV Motocross Racing's Dalton Mikkican
Dalton began ATV racing because he loved jumping his ATV. His dad quickly recognized his talent and got Dalton involved with ATV racing five years ago in the beginner class. Young Millican's first ATV National win came last year at Loretta Lynn's Ranch Amateur Motocross Championships. This race draws competitors from all over the US and the nationwide qualifying system ensures equal representation from all parts of the country. The track is raced only one time a year and ensures that no one will have a chance to ride or race on it before the rest of the competition arrives. The AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships have become the premiere amateur national series in the United States, and the proving grounds for America's future professional Supercross and Motocross heroes. "To get my first win there was special," says Dalton.
MX Racing with Dalton Millikan
Two races into the 2011 season and he has won the 450A class at both races and has finished second at both races in the Production A class. "I was very proud to have won the Pro class in the ArenaCross Tour event held in Memphis recently. To go out and get my first ArenaCross Tour win in front of a packed Arena and at home was awesome," Dalton tells us. Just recently he raced at the famous Balance Moto X track in Oakland, KY. Again he is continuing his early season streak of pulling hole shots and podium finishes with another second place in the 450A class.
Dalton Millican's first ATV National win came last year at Loretta Lynn's Ranch Amateur Motocross Championships
Dalton's K&N relationship came about through Lucas Oil and his Dad. Clay is good friends with Bob Harris who handles a lot of K&N's racing accounts. Dalton shared the reasons why he uses K&N filters, "To me the biggest benefit of using K&N products is you never ever have to worry about power or performance. For our race team that maintains the bikes they never have to worry about keeping the dirt out of our engines. A clean engine is a happy engine. A happy engine makes me a happy rider, because when I need to hit a 100' triple I know K&N will give the power to make it over."
Dalton also gets help from his other sponsors like MPE Motorsports, Parts Plus, Lucas Oil, Nitro Fish, Maximum Cycle, Walsh Race Craft, Joe Byrd Quad Riding School, Custom Axis, Hoosier Racing Tire, Rath Racing, VP Racing Fuels, PJ1, KPM, Lonestar Racing, Fly Racing, Dark Synergy, Oakley, JE Pistons, and Adventure Team Racing.
Obviously MX racing is what Dalton loves to do and winning makes it even more fun. The fact that he gets to race all his friends at the local races teaches him about the close comradery racers of all genres share. Clay is the racing star of the family, but keep an eye on Dalton, because his racing star is on the rise!
Deegan says his plan for 2011 is to be the first driver to win both the Pro Lite and Pro 2 in the same season.
"I feel I'm faster in that truck then the others, because of the testing and practice I have put in. And mentally I know I'm more prepared," remarked the "General" Brian Deegan, after his Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series win at Firebird Raceway in Surprise, Arizona.
After rethinking his plans stop racing in the Pro Lite class at the end of last season, Deegan came back with a dominate win at Firebird Raceway.
Starting round three of the series on the inside, the 2009 Pro Lite Champion and freestyle motocross ace jumped to the front of the pack quickly, and after multiple red and yellow flags, he continued to lead the remainder of the race locking down a first place podium finish. Due to the performance of his truck and the dominance of his win, rival teams raised concerns that Deegan's truck had been modified in some way. During tech inspection, the truck was stripped down and found to be legal, making Deegan out to be one of the toughest competitors to beat in the Off Road series.
During a tech inspection following his convincing win, his truck was stripped down and found to be legal, making Deegan out to be one of the toughest competitors to beat in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series.
At the close of last season Deegan hinted that the Challenge Cup race might be his last, his fans as well as his team, couldn't be more pleased that he has reconsidered that notion.
"I really like racing the Pro Lite class," said Deegan, "So I decided to stay in it another year and redeem myself by winning the championship!"
Deegan says his goals for 2011 are to be the first driver to win championships in both the Pro Lite and Pro 2 in the same year, and now he feels he has a great start leading towards that objective.
"K&N has been a big part of my winning ways," added Deegan. "If my Pro Lite wouldn't have broken we would be on track leading both classes. We should have a great year. I am taking the step to support charities with my winnings from the Pro 2 class so we all win. See ya at the races."
NHRA Finals with Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Champions Greg Anderson and Jason Line
The NHRA Finals were held at the Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. Prior to the race, K&N had a chance to speak with NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Champions Greg Anderson and Jason Line. Anderson and Line are both sponsored by Summit Racing Equipment and have impressive track records. Perfect weather, fast cars and the most skilled of drivers make the NHRA Finals in Pomona one of the most exciting events of the year.
NHRA Finals with Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Champions Greg Anderson and Jason Line
