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Can-Am Motoworks' Jeremie Warnia brought home the first hard earned win of the season for the team.
The World Championship Off-Road Racing series kicked off their 2011 ATV Pro Class season at Honolulu Hills Raceway in Taft, California last weekend, and the Can-Am Motoworks team flat-out stole the show.
"There was no real strategy going into the first round," said the team's spokesperson Casey Greek,
Josh Frederick finished the WORCS season opener third on the box.
"When you line up on Sunday for the first round of racing its every man for himself. All we knew was that we had three chances at winning, and we were going to win it, and didn't matter who won, as long as it was a Motoworks DWT Can-Am Ds 450 on the top of the box Sunday afternoon."
And come Sunday afternoon the K&N sponsored Can-Am Motoworks team put their name smack-dab on the box, with Jeremie Warnia taking the top spot and Josh Frederick taking the third tier. Dillon Zimmerman waged battle all during the race, and in fact only got passed by his own teammate, number one Josh Frederick. Frederick went on to close the gap on second place, finishing right on his rear bumper.
Dillon Zimmerman made it three in the top-five for team Can-Am Motoworks.
"Starting the season like that feels amazing," continued Greek. "We have such a great team with our riders and mechanics. Our bikes were perfect all weekend, with Gil Flores and Andrew Chamberlin wrenching on the bikes, we knew that the chassis would be in great hands."
"And Ryan Cox put together an amazing motor package. So we were confident that we were positioned to have great starts when the gate dropped. Additionally, we knew we had the reliability to finish without any issues, so it was on the riders to bring their talents out, and they did their jobs perfectly."
During the off-season the team put in a vast amount of testing time with engine builder Ryan Cox to insure that they would have an "unstoppable package" for the 2011 season. "And we tested non-stop with Fox Racing Shocks as well, Rick and the guys over there are so great to us," added Greek. "We came up with some really great setting."
"Going into the next round at Primm, Nevada, we have the same mind set as always - we head into it as though it was a championship race on the line - and we will do our absolute best."
Greek explains that with each passing week they will continue to work harder than the week before, because the entire team understands that championships never, ever, come easy. Greek says that they are headed into the next race with great spirits, along with a huge amount of help from all their sponsors such as K&N. "As a team, we thank every one of our great sponsors, without their support we couldn't do what we do," said Greek.
"The team feels really strong about the momentum we picked up with the first race, it's always easy to come to work Monday after a long weekend of racing when you win," remarked Greek.
"We are going to take it race-by-race, and go out every weekend and do our best. We are really working toward a Can-Am podium sweep, so look for it in the future. When you win the first round, it really puts the pressure on everyone though, you know that you are expected to win every race you line up for."
Sports legend and people motivator Billie Jean King once said "pressure is a privilege," addressing his team's weight to continue winning Greek says, "pressure is okay for us, we just don't like to lose anything."
"So, with the support of our sponsors and our team owner Johnny Leach, and the support that Can-Am B.R.P. gives us, we will be able to give it our best shot this year."
2008 Championship Off Road Racing Pro 2 Rookie of the Year Mike Johnson
K&N Off-Road racer Mike Johnson is a natural. From the first day he strapped into a off-road truck, he was fast. In 2010, Mike was fast enough to capture Rookie of the Year honors in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series' premier division, Pro 4. For the long-time veteran of the Pro 2 division, it was a smooth and simple transition.
Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) Racer Mike Johnson
"I'm extremely comfortable in a Pro 4," Johnson said. "It's a very good fit for my driving style. I had tested with Carl [Renezeder] and was pretty quick right away, so I was confident we could compete."
Johnson narrowly edged out John Harrah and Eric Barron for the rookie honors. The three were separated by just 14 points at the end of the season. Working with Renezeder, a multi-time champion in different off-road classes, and a sure-fire future Hall of Famer, was the highlight of Johnson's season. "To be able to drive for the American Flyer team and Carl and to help build a team was a very rewarding experience."
K&N Off-Road racer Mike Johnson
Johnson was the 2008 Championship Off Road Racing Pro 2 Rookie of the Year, and has spent the last three season's mastering the 2-wheel drive vehicles. When the call came to jump into the 4-wheel powered beasts, Johnson was ready. He finished 9th in points and collected his first podium, a third place finish, in the seasons fourth race. Johnson said success didn't come easy.
"It's just like the NFL. On any given Sunday there are 10, 15 drivers who could win. I try not to take anything for granted. I think the fact that we didn't clinch the rookie honors until the last race of the season says a lot about the quality of drivers and teams we faced last year," Johnson said.
Johnson is already preparing for 2011, and knows there are areas his team can improve, like "having less DNFs (did not finish) and more podiums."
Johnson spoke well about K&N and their commitment to racing. "Obviously we us them, and so do most of the other teams. I have never used another filter. They perform flawlessly, so we never even need to think about them malfunctioning. They know racers and their needs, and are always working to develop new products that are competitive and environmentally friendly. And, the best part is, all of their products are made in the USA!"
Tyler Clem, the checkered flag lap is becoming increasingly more familiar.
"2010 was a great season, I won the national USAC Jr. Animal Championship and finished third in the Jr. Honda division, remarked eight-year-old CRI driver Tyler Clem. "We will be competing one last year in 2011, in the same two divisions, along with running Bandos in Florida. The highlight of 2010 was my two A-main wins in my dad's home state of Indiana, at the Kokomo Jr. Honda and the Lakeville Jr. Animal." And the low-lights were early in the season, when I got taken out two different times by lapped cars, with only a few laps to go while leading. But, we regrouped and overcame those setbacks to finish strong."
CRI drivers Tyler Clem and Michael Atwell are developmental drivers for Stewart-Haas Racing, the NASCAR racing team owned by Tony Stewart and Gene Haas.
Tyler's dad is Bubba Clem, team owner of K&N sponsored Clem Racing, Inc. (CRI). CRI is a Florida-based .25 Midget Race Team owned by Bubba Clem with Dan Atwell and car chief Mike Tidwell.
"CRI clinched five championships last season and we were in serious contention for a sixth," announced Clem on his national Bubba the Love Sponge radio show. "To be able to pick up five and possibly six points series championships in one year with two drivers is a very rare accomplishment," added Clem on his radio program. "Crew chief Dan Atwell and I are very proud, and I'm sure that 'the Big Man,' Tony Stewart, is too."
The CRI drivers Tyler Clem and ten-year old Michael Atwell have both been selected as developmental drivers for Stewart-Haas Racing, the NASCAR racing team owned by Tony Stewart and Gene Haas.
According to Bubba, after speaking with Stewart on the phone, he and Stewart will go over 2011 racing plans for the Stewart-Haas developmental driver when they see each other in Homestead, Florida in a few weeks.
"I'm so thankful, and I know Michael and Tyler are thankful as well, to have Tony's endorsement. He was the first owner to endorse a .25 Midget driver in a developmental program, and now Dale Earnhardt, Jr. may be following suit, as well. Tony is always on the leading edge of finding great talent, as evidenced by his USAC open wheel guys, who are the best in the business," added Bubba.
CRI has plans to branch out in 2011, racing in USAC's National Series, and perhaps they will even start testing some bigger, full-size cars on asphalt and dirt, along with picking up another driver in the Florida area.
Bubba also announced that nine-year-old Trevor Taylor from Zellwood, Florida will drive the number 7 CRI car next year.
"I couldn't be happier with both of CRI's drivers," said Bubba. "So much so that we added Trevor here in Florida, and he will be joining Tyler in Bandos, and Michael will be competing in full-sized trucks in the rookie division at Punta Gorda (Florida). All three kids will run the USAC generation next national .25 series as well."
Bubba is also currently scouting a female teenage driver, located in the Midwest, to possibly drive a few races for CRI in some of the USAC National events.
"We start Saturday February 26th in Punta Gorda," said Bubba. "Trevor and Tyler in Bandos, and Michael in rookie trucks..."
NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown Winner Jason Bowles
Jason Bowles survived more than he won the first NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown race of his career, a crash-filled affair that was red-flagged three times and took nearly three hours to complete.
Jason Bowles Wins at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale
Bowles was in a four-driver dog fight at the end of the race that included Derek Thorn, Paulie Harraka and Greg Pursley.
Thorn, the surprise pole winner, and Harraka crashed in the final 25 laps of the race. On the final restart, with Bowles and Pursley fighting for the lead, Pursley's car got a flat tire and he faded out of contention.
Bowles led the last eight laps of the race and took the checkered flag. It was his fourth win for Bowles at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. The three previous wins came in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.
"I think the 44 (Thorn) probably had one of the best cars, but he was using his equipment up pretty good," said Bowles, driver of the No. 75 Toyota for Rusty Wallace Racing Experience. "I think it's probably due to a little bit of his lack of experience. He just got into Paulie. He was going to hit the wall if Paulie wasn't there. He was in a little bit over his head on that one. It's racing.
Everybody's going for that big win. I can understand it. It was unfortunate for those guys. It's fortunate for me. I put myself in that position. If you're not that position to win the race then you're never gonna."
Bowles started the race in ninth and ran conservatively through the first 200 laps. The drivers had to make mandatory pit stops on laps 100 and 200. Thorn led the first 100 laps of the race. Andrew Myers was out front for most of the second 100 laps of the race before running into tire trouble on lap 190 and dropping back. Harraka took over the lead just before the second break in the race.
Thorn, Harraka, Pursley and Bowles battled for the lead over the last 25 laps of the race. Thorn and Harraka crashed on lap 206 and both drivers dropped out of contention. The race was red-flagged for the second time to clean up the mess. Eight laps later, the race was red flagged again when Dale Quarterley was involved in a three-car crash in turn 2. When the race resumed, Bowles and Pursley ran 1-2, but Pursley cut a tire on the restart and had to pit.
"This is the biggest win of my career for sure," Bowles said. "I've been trying to win the Showdown in 2007, 2008, 2009. I'm came close in 2008, got third, but it's definitely the biggest win of my career. Race wins are huge right now for me, trying to put my name on the map and get a job doing this for a living. The more name-recognition I can get, the more I can go out there and put the car in victory lane, the better it's going to be."
DJ Kennington, the NASCAR Canadian Series champion, rallied late in the race and finished second.
"It was awesome for us," said Kennington, driver of the No. 17 Toyota for Bill McAnally Racing. "We knew we had a pretty good car in practice. I wasn't sure if it was going to be that good. We avoided the wrecks, and we were able to be there at the end."
Jonathon Gomez finished third. He was followed Luis Martinez in fourth and Johnny Borneman in fifth.
"It's the best way to start off the beginning of a new year," Gomez said. "The best is with a win, but a top-three, you can't complain. It's a good confidence builder for the whole team. Get everybody motivated to head to Phoenix and try to get our win."
Travis Pastrana, the action sports and X Games star making his NASCAR debut, finished sixth.
"I just had an ear-to-ear grin. I'll tell you that last green, it was just chaotic," said Pastrana, driving the No. 99 Toyota for Pastrana-Waltrip Racing. "We were four-wide, three-wide. I just really want to thank (spotter) Matt (Crafton) for keeping me out of most of the trouble. We started pushing on people there at the end and I was getting pushed on. I'll tell you what, I couldn't say enough about the Waltrip Racing team, Boost mobile, all the guys that helped me get here."
Bowles won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship in 2009. He spent 2010 piecing together a NASCAR schedule that included races in the Nationwide Series, Camping World Truck Series and K&N Pro Series West and East.
He will be in the ARCA race at Daytona International Speedway in February. He will be racing with the Rusty Wallace team in select K&N Pro Series events in 2010. He said after the race, his team had to use a back-up car because he crashed the primary car in testing.
"We had this one in the trailer as a back-up," Bowles said. "We pulled it out and went to work on it. I knew we had a good car (Friday) in practice. It's the best car I've had here at the Showdown in race trim. I was real happy. We just bided our time. I've been here four times and I've seen guys wreck on lap 50, lap 25, lap 100 and they never make it to the end. I know you got to make it to that lap 225. We just kind of kept our nose clean and when the green came out for that last 25, it was time to go."
Travis Pastrana's first venture in NASCAR can be deemed a success. He finished the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown in sixth place on Saturday night. He started the race in 20th and ran into only one little scrape through the 225 laps of the Showdown, that puts the top drivers from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and East at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.
Travis Pastrada finished 6th at the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown
The race was filled with crashes and red flagged three times. Pastrana was almost collected in one of those crashes, but he maneuvered his way through the carnage with minimal damage to his right-side door and front fender.
He had to make an unscheduled pit stop to fix the front fender and keep it from rubbing on the front right tire on his car. Aside from that, Pastrana had an incident-free race and made up several spots in the final 25 laps.
There were two more red flag caution periods in the final 25 laps of the race. Pastrana avoided trouble in both of those and brought his car to the checkered flag in one piece.
He made modest strides throughout the weekend, between his first practice laps and qualifying on Friday to the race on Saturday night. He even gave his reputation a boost by meeting with fans in the stands after the race, which ended near midnight.
Pastrana made a huge improvement between his first practice session and his second for the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.
He went from 17th fastest in the first practice session to seventh fastest in the final one.
When he made his qualifying run, Pastrana posted the fifth fastest time. He was in the mix of the first half of the 45 drivers who made qualifying runs for the Showdown.
When the last driver qualified for the race, Pastrana was the 20th quickest. He wasn't as fast as the top drivers who race regularly in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and East, but his time was respectable for a driver making his NASCAR debut.
"I didn't expect to be on top," said Pastrana, who was driving the No. 99 Toyota for Pastrana-Waltrip Racing in the Showdown. "I just hope we're not a road block."
Pastrana embraced the underdog role all weekend at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, site of the All Star Showdown. He downplayed his talent as a race car driver and emphasized his inexperience in NASCAR and racing stock cars.
"I definitely just need seat time, as much seat time as possible," Pastrana said. "I feel really comfortable in the car, but there's a huge difference between driving and racing. In motocross I was always better at racing, but I had experience. I started racing when I was 4 years old. That's all I've ever known - racing every weekend."
He had plenty of help preparing for the Showdown. Michael Waltrip was able to provide Pastrana with tips and strategies during test sessions. Matt Crafton, who raced late models at Irwindale earlier in his career and is a veteran of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, was been at the track and working with Pastrana as spotter and driving coach.
"Honestly, our lap times have been fairly good here," Pastrana said. "For me to get all the laps, the position on this race isn't so crucial. You want to do as good as possible. I'm just pumped to be out here and get as many laps as possible."
The car he's driving is a good one too. It's one of the cars Ryan Truex drove to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship last year. Pastrana said it's been a little bit of an adjustment in the new car.
"When I do what I'm supposed to do, the car works amazing," Pastrana said.
After the Showdown, Pastrana will return to his freestyle motocross ventures, touring with his Nitro Circus show and preparing for X Games in Los Angeles in July. He will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Indianapolis in July.
Before the Showdown, Pastrana said his first goal was to qualify for the race. He accomplished that.
"It's good to be not completely sucking at this point," Pastrana said.
"I feel pretty comfortable in the Toyota. Racing with Waltrip, they've lined me up with some great guys. I feel like I couldn't ask for a better system. If I need a change, they'll help me out and make it better, no matter what."
