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Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Pro 2 Series' Stronghold Motorsports Takes Podium

4 Apr 2011

Jeremy McGrath on the Podium.

When the 2011 season began, Southern California's Stronghold Motorsports knew they had multiple teams capable of competing for championships in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. They didn't know how long it would take for those teams to emerge as contenders. But at the season opening event in Chandler, Arizona, Strongholds two Pro 2 trucks made everyone take notice.

Stronghold Motorsports' Jeremy McGrath in Pro 2 truck

After struggling in Saturdays opening round, teammates Rob Naughton and Jeremy McGrath surged to the front of the pack and pulled away, giving Stronghold their first ever sweep in the Pro 2 class. "We made a gear and tire change that helped," said Naughton, who captured his first ever Pro 2 win. "But more than anything, the mental change I made as a driver helped me really push the truck to its limit and maximize its potential."

Naughton ran his fastest lap time on the 19th circuit. It was a 20 lap race. The 2010 Pro 2 Rookie of the Year said the win has already given the team confidence it can win the championship. "We expect to continue to race up front and win races. It was awesome for the entire team. They put in a ton of work, and to have both trucks podium was very special and the best way for us as drivers to say ‘thank you' to our crew."

Rob Naughton getting some air in his Pro 2 truck.

McGrath, the 7-time AMA Supercross Champion, and the man responsible for putting Supercross on the map in the U.S.A., was happy to bring home the second place trophy in his debut weekend with Stronghold. "I didn't have a great starting position so I had to fight my way to second. Once I got there, me and Rob battled really close. I was able to get side-by-side with him, but I couldn't make it stick. I'm just happy we were first and second on the podium. The team deserved it."

McGrath was approached by Scott Bailey to drive Stronghold's Pro 4 truck in 2010. The opportunity arose for the two-wheel superstar to move into the team's second Pro 2 truck, and McGrath saw an opportunity to form the best team in the division. So far, the move has paid off, but McGrath knows they still have work to do.

Rob Naughton on the Podium with his first ever Pro 2 Win.

"We only have two rounds of racing under this new truck, and I'm seeing a lot of these tracks for the first time, so I know the learning curve is going to be steep. I know we have the package to get a championship, but the talent in the field is unbelievable."

Naughton added "I know I can win every race, but with guys like (Brian) Deegan and Jeremy, it's going to be difficult to stay on top."

Both drivers applauded K&N's industry leading filters for keeping their motors working at optimum levels.

"K&N obviously makes the best filter on the market. When you are racing 900 horsepower motors that are the best money can buy, using any other filter is just not an option," Naughton said.

McGrath added "Our Roush Fenway motors make amazing horsepower and are running through dirt and rocks while flying through the air at more than 80 miles an hour. I don't think there are any harsher conditions in racing, and because of that, K&N is the only brand of filters this team will ever use."

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's Sheldon Gecker Switches It Up for a Top Dragster Win at IHRA Nitro Jam in Tucson

4 Apr 2011

Second race of the season for Gecker and a Top Dragster Win! Photo by IHRA Communications/IHRA.com.

One is a little more used to seeing Surprise, Arizona's Sheldon Gecker running his dragster in the 8.90 index classes, but during IHRA's very first Arizona Nitro Jam held at Southwestern International Raceway just outside of Tucson, Gecker was "top bulb" racing for the first time since 1994.

Sheldon Gecker steps away from his normal 8.90 class to try his hand at bracket racing in Top Dragster for the first time at a recent IHRA event. Photo by IHRA Communications/IHRA.com.

Gecker had been planning on attending the NHRA Division event the same weekend in Las Vegas, but at the last minute it was suggested to him to stay a little closer to home and compete at the Nitro Jam.

"I was kind of surprised at the quality of cars there and how many rounds we needed to go," said Gecker. "Running Top Dragster I had to get used to the different tree again, something I haven't done for seventeen years."

K&N Sponsored Drag Racer Sheldon Gecker. Photo by IHRA Communications/IHRA.com.

Gecker, who had only been to one other event so far for the 2011 season, made only minor adjustments to his 2010 Tom Yancer dragster to run the class, all while paying very special attention to not make any unnecessary changes to his starting line procedure as a driver.

"I just simplified it and lowered the [rpm] chip so it wouldn't be an issue," said Gecker of the difference between pro and sportsman tree racing. "I didn't force myself to think about anything different than I normally do."

After two rounds of qualifying, Gecker found him himself smack in the middle of the field and was ready for eliminations in front a fairly large crowd.

"I spent the first couple of rounds just getting used to the quickness of the tree," he pointed out. "Unlike NHRA, you get staged and that top light was on right now. The car was extremely consistent and worked very well, actually better than I expected. It was going 7.60's in the air we had and normally it's a 7.20 or 7.30 car [flat out]. I think all but one round, we were within a hundredth of where we thought we would be."

Gecker did a great job of taking what he has learned from numerous years in Super Class racing, where so many races come down to inches at the stripe, and parlayed that into several round wins by having a very dialable car to drive the stripe, even though he may not have always had the starting line advantage.

"By the time we got to the final, we had the toughest guy in the local area Chuck Hawk, Jr.", said Gecker. "It's always nice to beat somebody like that, he's a top quality racer and a good guy."

The final round in Top Dragster was an absolute squeaker at the stripe with both Hawk and Gecker having identical .009 reaction times, it made for some tough games at the top end. Both drivers gave it their best shot trying to only take what amount of stripe they needed for the win, each knocking off a little mile-per-hour in their effort. With just .002 separating them, [nine inches] as they crossed the stripe, it was Gecker who came up with the win and the IHRA 40th Anniversary Special Edition Ironman.

"It wasn't like we had a lot of easy runs," said Gecker of his rounds. "We had one red-light when I needed it and we had a really tough final. It was actually a pretty neat experience."

As a very successful veteran in the sport, Gecker points out that he couldn't make wins possible without the products he uses. "There are very few vendors anymore where you can truly depend on the consistent quality of their products and you don't have to worry about a thing with K&N. We have been very successfully using their oil filters for many-many years. We also use their high-flow air intake on our F150 and something really neat noticed is how the K&N cone air filter works on the dragster."

"We actually learned something with that," he continued talking about the K&N dragster scoop air filter. "We found out that when we ran the car without it, it actually slowed down. When we use it, it straightens the air out and makes the car run better."

Gecker will work on adding to his recent success in his Lopersspeed.com/Hughes Performance/K&N dragster, only for his next event he'll be back in his familiar Super Comp class for the NHRA National Event in Las Vegas.

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.

Rob Curtis Racing Becomes K&N Backed Winner's Circle Motorsports

1 Apr 2011

Then newly formed Winner's Circle Motorsports, LLC, plans on traveling and racing more in 2011 than they have in past years. Photo Jim Balentine.

We said it before and it really can't be overstated, grassroots, family racing is the foundation of all racing. It's accessible and every bit as significant to rural America as so many other inaccessible pastimes. It binds families from one generation to another. It's so often the farm league that feeds into other levels of racing. And it allows someone like Rob Curtis from Greenville, Pennsylvania, to live and pursue his dreams. On the Rob Curtis Racing website, soon to become the Winner's Circle Motorsports site, it succinctly says "It takes a group of dedicated friends and family to make any race team a complete success."

Driver and team owner Rob Curtis says that winning the 2009 Sharon Speedway Modified title is definitely the high point of his race career thus far.

Rob Curtis' first racecar was a 1988 Troyer. He's competed in both the West Penn Modifieds and the Big Block Modifieds. His favorite track is Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio.

"Our team captured the 2009 Sharon Speedway Modified Title, and that is definitely the high point thus far," said Marcie Barlow, wearing her Media Relations hat. Marcie is also one of the Winner's Circle Motorsports team owners, along with Larry Riffe and Rob Curtis.

"We have two Troyer Chassis'. One is powered by an HRE Big Block and the second is a Small Block Modified," continued Barlow. "In 2011 we have decided to begin the racing season with the Small Block car and we will be competing at Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer, Pennsylvania, beginning Saturday, April 16th."

"In addition, we are hoping to compete at the two Modified Specials to be held at the Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pennsylvania. The first will be held on Sunday, May 29th and the second is scheduled for August 12th."

The team's other goals for 2011 include a little more traveling than they have in the past. "Our driver, Rob Curtis, began his racing career at Mercer Raceway Park (Mercer, Pennsylvania)," explains Barlow, "And with the changes in the management that took place at the facility in 2010, we are looking forward to returning to Small Block competition there."

The new owner Bob Altman, has implemented several improvements at the facility and team Winner's Circle Motorsports, LLC, is looking forward to making MRP their Saturday night home in 2011. In addition the team is looking to compete in their first Race of Champions event July 21st at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania.

"We are looking forward to a successful 2011 racing season and greatly appreciate the assistance K&N Performance has provided our team the past several years," remarked Barlow. "Bob Harris and the entire staff of K&N are always friendly and looking to provide as much assistance as possible."

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 Thinks Outside-the-Racecar to Get it Done at St. Petersburg

31 Mar 2011

Shea Racing's No.67 Honda Civic Si, K&N Filters, Lucas Oil car is expected to be back running in time for the Grand Prix of Long Beach. Photo by Kamran Malik.

It came in mighty handy for Shea Holbrook to have her karmic pool filled to the brim last weekend at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Florida. Shea, now in her second season of professional racing with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing World Challenge Series, redefined what it means to have fan support. For years now Shea has used her high visibility racing profile to tirelessly support charitable causes close to her heart, such as the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. So, when she needed a little help from her friends and fans, it flowed back to her in an overwhelming fashion.

Shea Holbrook's biggest fans, the Gilbert girls, Erica, Lacie, Alyee and Rhea.

In race one Shea had a terrific start, moving from thirteenth to eleventh by the first turn. Then a few laps later she made another great move in turn one, passing two cars and rolling into seventh place. That same lap though she got caught up in a wreck, a big wreck, which ended her race. Way too much front damage to her car, it looked as though there was no way she would be getting back on the track.

"I thought of something really out of left field, and completely out of my character," said Shea. "I hustled walking the paddock, making phone calls, and posting on Facebook and Twitter asking for help! Still, at this point we were not racing. Phone calls were taking too long and things all of a sudden became very complicated. Nick Chorley, a Shea Racing crew member and I were walking the paddock thinking, and the idea of fan support all of a sudden dawned on me. I figured, this is my home race, and we have some of the best Shea Racing fans here in St. Petersburg."

Shea was passing cars in bunches and running in seventh place in the first race at St. Pete before a wreck ended her race. Photo by Michael Ball.

Shea and her team owner dad, Jeff, came up with the idea of running with the Compass 360 Racing team because they knew they had a spare car, but not just any racecar, a Honda Civic Si, much like the one she was accustomed to driving. With that she could be in a position to finish in the top-ten and in the points.

"I was confident in my driving ability and also the cars. Thinking out-of-the-racecar really came about when we needed to find funds to actually get into this car," remarked Shea.

To get back on the race track Shea needed funding to continue in round two of the Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Starting the season off without earning any points just wasn't an option for her.

"Last year I met wonderful fans that continue to follow and support our racing and charity efforts. One family in particular stood out, the Gilberts. I remember meeting all four Gilbert girls vividly. There they were again this year, just like they told me they would be. We exchanged hugs and I checked in with them after every session. They're down-home, good people. When the idea of fan support came about I immediately thought of the Gilbert Girls. I found Mr. Gilbert and nervously asked a question no driver wants to ask, and it went a little something like this… 'I have the opportunity to get back into the seat, but I do not have the funding to do so, so I'm turning to fans for help to have the race of my life. Can you help?'"

"Mr. Gilbert smiled and gave me a hug and said, 'Can you put Gilbert Girls on the side of the car?' And so we went racing. It just so happens that one of our partners is a graphics company. I called up VisionX Graphics and they had someone in the shop making a vinyl immediately."

"Both races were unbelievable," continued Shea. "We had great launches at the start of both races and were able to gain positions. The most important thing to remember when racing on streets courses is, hit your marks, and race intelligently. We had great communication over the radio and stoppers were very beneficial."

"I'm not going to lie, all I was thinking about in race two was bringing that car back in one piece. I couldn't believe how comfortable I felt in a car I'd never raced. Once I took her around one lap I felt at home again. So yes, I felt a lot of pressure to bring that car back untouched. But our new No. 67 Honda Civic Si, K&N Filters, Lucas Oil, MYPLUGGZ.com and now Gilbert Girls was rockin' and nothing was stopping us!"

Shea started the second race in sixteenth and worked her way into an eighth place finish. Currently she's preparing herself for a run at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 15-17, which rocks through the streets of Long Beach, California.

"Oh yes, our thought process has changed for Long Beach," said Shea. "There's a chance we'll get our Honda back on track, but we're preparing and speaking with a few Honda teams as well. We're excited about Long Beach and ready for podium finishes powered by K&N filters and Lucas Oil!"

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.

Max'd Out Racing's Rob Coddens Wins NHRDA Season Opener in Phoenix

30 Mar 2011

In winning Coddens broke his own NHRDA Super Street MPH record.

The National Hot Rod Diesel Association (NHRDA) staged their first diesel drag race of 2011 at Phoenix, Arizona's Speedworld Dragstrip. "I brought my Super Street race truck down for the event," said Eagle, Idaho's Rob Coddens, "And feeling good about my set-up, I also entered the lighter weight, more advanced Pro Street class."

Rob Coddens won the season opener at Phoenix's Speedworld Dragstrip, in Super Street and Pro Street classes

The K&N backed racer's good feelings about his set-up were spot on, as he ended up winning both classes and breaking the NHRDA Super Street MPH record, a record he previously held. Coddens' new record now stands at 140.67 mph.

"The great thing about a diesel is the abuse it can take," commented Coddens. "I'm able to win an elimination round in one class running nine seconds at 140 mph, and then drive the truck around right into the lanes and into the staging beams for the next classes round within minutes."

Diesel magazines, Diesel Power and Diesel World recently did a photo shot and write-up on Coddens' impressive truck.

Coddens says that breaking the record was not high on his list of priorities, but that winning is everything.

"I'm able to dial the power levels up and down as needed to advance rounds and not abuse the equipment too much. The hardest thing I've learned over the years of racing is to race with your head and not your ego. Yes it's cool to click off record breaking passes, but I'd rather drive it into the winners circle then go fast once and go onto the trailer early because of parts failure."

That's the sort of wisdom that comes from racing nearly everything with wheels for the past 30 years. Coddens started as a kid racing mini-bikes, then moved to street/strip cars, he road raced motorcycles for a few years, and then moved back onto the dragstrip with motorcycles.

"Family life and work stopped the motorcycle thing, and money was tight so a dedicated racecar was not in the cards. I had a diesel work truck in the driveway, and being a racer at heart, and having a great drag strip (Firebird) 15 minutes from the house, off I went to the track."

After a spending year or so modifying his truck, Coddens created an 11-second work truck.

"I could tow heavy trailers, plow snow, go off-roading, and then on the weekends air down the tires, put it in 4x4, and whip up on Corvettes and Vipers on the race track," explains Coddens. "One thing led to another and along with a couple friends, we decided to see what we could accomplish, so we built a 6000 pound 4x4 drag race truck."

Coddens has now been drag racing diesels for seven years, mostly with street trucks running in the NHRA Sportsman or Pro Classes, and he's had some success with local wins in those classes. In 2009 he campaigned his first true race truck with the NHRDA. In his very first weekend of racing in the NHRDA Coddens shattered the ET and MPH record in the Super Street class and he has been the dual record holder for three years now.

Discussing how he came around to K&N Coddens says, "With the oiling needs on a 1200+HP diesel engine, we have had to run modified oil pumps. In the past we have had a problem keeping oil filters from blowing the seal and dumping 10 quarts of oil in a matter of seconds. This was not only very messy, but potentially dangerous. Since switching to K&N oil filters, the problem has gone away. The nut on the end also helps when changing, as I tend to get a little heavy handed during installs. It's the little nagging things that can screw up a race day. With the filter problem handled, I don't have that nagging doubt every time I strap in and fire the truck."

Coddens' goals for the 2011 season are to always be totally prepared for each event, to find the weak parts on his truck and strengthen them, and to never lose a race because of a mental mistake. Then he adds, "I also want to win the NHRDA World Finals in Kansas.

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.