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Before Travis Pastrana makes his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut, he will put his limited stock car racing skills to the test against the top drivers from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series.
Michael Waltrip, Boost Mobile and Red Bull Sponsored No. 99 Toyota
Pastrana, the X Games, rally car and freestyle motocross champion, will race in the NASCAR Toyota All Star Showdown at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale Jan. 28-29. Race winners from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and East earned automatic starting spots in the race. In addition to the K&N Pro Series regulars, NASCAR Nationwide Series regular Steve Wallace, former Champ Car driver Andrew Ranger and NASCAR Mexico Series champion German Quiroga are entered in the Showdown.
Pastrana said he has a simple strategy for his first venture into NASCAR.
"Hopefully qualify and keep it out of the wall. I think would be a great plan for the first round," said Pastrana, who will be driving the No. 99 Toyota for Pastrana-Waltrip Racing.
Unveiling of Pastrana-Waltrip Racing's No. 99 Toyota
He won't be making his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut until July in Indianapolis. Until then, Pastrana said he will be performing in his Nitro Circus show in Australia and New Zealand and preparing for X Games in Los Angeles. Coincidently, the X Games in L.A. are on the same weekend as the Indianapolis Nationwide Series race. He added that he wants to squeeze in some stock car seat time between now and the Nationwide Series race in Indianapolis.
"I'd definitely love to, but it's just a matter of trying to figure out how much time we have to do whatever," said Pastrana, the 27-year-old driver from Annapolis, Maryland. "It's going to be a big learning process. I'm going to drive as many places as possible."
Pastrana is teaming with two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip in his NASCAR efforts. Waltrip will also be the grand marshal of the Toyota All Star Showdown. Pastrana said working with Waltrip has been a unique experience.
"Michael Waltrip is the most low-key, but funny guy you'd ever meet," Pastrana said. "He's probably the best - I wouldn't say coach - but the best mentor that I could ever really have. I'm just really excited to be able to work with him. He thinks outside the box and likes to have fun. But at the same time, it's all about performance."
Pastrana has been able to pick Waltrip's brain about stock car racing. Waltrip has been able to instill one important piece of wisdom in Pastrana.
"I think the biggest piece of advice, right after my first test, had some pretty good times," Pastrana said. "I was like man, I feel pretty good. He goes, 'Yep, you can drive, but so can all the other 40 drivers on that track. Good luck to ya. Have fun, be patient.' He says it's going to take time."
Making the switch from freestyle motocross and rally cars is going to be an adjustment. He's not only learning new equipment and cars, but drivers and driving styles. He admits his knowledge of the K&N Pro Series drivers is limited, but he is learning as much as he can by watching races.
"I don't know too much about the K&N Series," Pastrana said. "I've been kind of following it this past year, trying to do a little research on who's who and how the races finished. I definitely watched the Irwindale race from last year a countless number of times now. I definitely expect them to be quite a bit better, more experienced than I am. Just got to get out there and try to qualify, hopefully not qualify dead last, and go from there."
The start of the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season on February 24th will mark the resumption of the hotly contested battle among Pro Stock competitors for one of seven guaranteed spots in the 27th annual K&N Horsepower Challenge which will be held on June 25th at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. In revealing some of the details of this year's edition, K&N officials today confirmed that for the second straight year the eighth and final starting spot will be filled by a popular vote.
2011 K&N HPC Sweepstakes Ford Explorer XLT
"2011 marks our fourth year as the sponsor of the K&N Horsepower Challenge, and I'm proud to say the event continues to get bigger and better," said Steve Williams, Vice President. "For example, last year we introduced the fan vote, which was a huge success thanks to a great response by the fans as well as the many Pro Stock drivers who actively campaigned to be chosen for that coveted eighth starting spot."
"This year, we're going to take everything we learned over the last three years and put it into making the 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge the best ever. Even though the NHRA season doesn't start until next month, we're already off to a great start, with the Ford Motor Company providing one of their totally redesigned 2011 Ford Explorer XLTs that will be awarded as the grand prize to one lucky fan at Summit Motorsports Park."
The K&N Horsepower Challenge is a unique race-within-a-race pitting the seven NHRA Pro Stock racers who have accumulated the most qualifying points over the last year and one driver selected by the fans in a three-round, high-dollar shootout, with the winner pocketing $50,000. This celebration of the "factory hot rods" also includes the fans, who enter the K&N Horsepower Challenge Sweepstakes online at www.knfilters.com, with eight finalists receiving a trip to the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.
On the day of the event, each finalist will be randomly paired with one of the eight qualified drivers, with the finalist whose driver wins the K&N Horsepower Challenge taking home a brand new 2011 Ford Explorer XLT courtesy of Ford. As a three-time and defending champion of this specialty race, Pro Stock standout Greg Anderson is well-versed on what this race means to the fans, as well as the entire Pro Stock category.
"K&N is such a tremendous company, and one we are so proud to be associated with," said Anderson. "We are so grateful for everything they do for Pro Stock throughout the year, from the bonuses for the low qualifiers and tremendous products they make for our race cars to the K&N Horsepower Challenge, which is our most enjoyable race of the entire season.
"Every year at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, the eight best cars in our category get to line up and race for a ton of money without having to worry about points. It's a tremendous event that brings out the best in all of us. On top of that, we get to share the excitement with the fans with this year's winner driving home a new Ford Explorer. It's just a win-win deal for everyone concerned.
"We were fortunate enough to win the Horsepower Challenge last year with our Summit Racing Pontiac, which was the highlight of our season to that point, and catapulted us to the championship. It was also great to share the winner's circle with Stephanie, the fan who won the Harley and was just as excited as we were. All in all, it was a tremendous day, so we're naturally looking forward to getting back there to defend our title and help another fan drive home in a new SUV."
No purchase necessary. Sweepstakes ends May 27th at 3:00 PM PT. You must be at least 18 years of age to enter. Sweepstakes is subject to full official rules found at www.knfilters.com. Void in NY and FL and wherever else prohibited.
Riverside, CA, January 25th, 2011 - With the start of the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series on February 24th, K&N will launch the annual battle amongst Pro Stock Drivers to accumulate the most points throughout a 20 race challenge Series called the K&N Horsepower Challenge. This special race-within-a-race bonus program gives Pro Stock drivers a chance to win big if they qualify for one of the seven spots in the final four rounds of the K&N Horsepower Challenge at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio on June 25th.
K&N is pleased to announce the 8th spot will once again be awarded by popular vote from the racing fans.
The fans also have a chance to win big as K&N has teamed up with Ford Motor Company to give away a 2011 Ford Explorer XLT to one of the lucky 8 sweepstake finalists.
2011 Ford Explorer XLT for the 2011 K&N HPC Sweepstakes
On June 25th at Summit Motorsports Park, each finalist will be randomly paired with one of the eight Pro Stock drivers competing in the K&N Horsepower Challenge Championship. The lucky sweepstakes finalist who is paired with the winner of the K&N Horsepower Challenge will win a brand new 2011 Ford Explorer XLT courtesy of Ford.
Eight K&N Horsepower Challenge Sweepstakes finalists will receive a trip to the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio. Each finalist package includes an air travel voucher, a maximum of four days and three nights accommodation at a hotel and ground transportation. Finalists must start travel on June 23rd, 2011 and complete travel on June 26th.
No purchase necessary. Sweepstakes ends May 27th at 3:00 PM PT. You must be at least 18 years of age to enter. Sweepstakes is subject to full official rules found at www.knfilters.com. Void in NY and FL and wherever else prohibited.
Calvillo felt confident that his 2006 Hummer H2 would be the only one on display riding on 30" billet wheels.
A crazy thing happened to Eder Calvillo on his way to the 2010 Las Vegas SEMA show. "We forgot to close the hood properly and it (the hood to his 2006 Hummer) flew off our trailer on our way to the show," explained the Dickinson, Texas resident, "We drove back 100 miles through the Arizona desert but couldn't find it." Although Calvillo doesn't say where he got a perfectly matched hood replacement - he did - and his goal to have the sickest H2 Hummer at SEMA became reality.
Eder Calvillo's decision to go with K&N was a no-brainer, his dad had been using K&N products on his hotrods for as long as he can remember.
The Hummer name is best known for its H1 model, made popular because of its versatile and extraordinary military applications. Like its Jeep predecessor, a version of the H1 was made available to the public. However, the H1 was far too massive, too expensive and to impractical for widespread success, so GM introduced the H2.
The H2 keeps much of the same "all business" look and feel of the original Hummer, but it does so without all the imposing bulk.
Although the Hummers original hood blew off somewhere in the Arizona desert on the way to SEMA, things worked out just fine for Calvillo and his H2.
For Calvillo the 2010 SEMA show was his first, and although he's been learning and tooling with show vehicles for four years, his 2006 H2 Hummer is his first complete build. "I still have a lot to learn," says Calvillo, "I come from a lowrider background though, so it was obvious that my love for custom cars would get me into the scene."
Calvillo inspiration for wanting to exhibit his sapphire jewel Hummer at SEMA was simple. "I knew I was going to be the only Hummer on display with 30" billet wheel, also we built an LS2 motor with a K&N intake - now you don't see that everyday - we just knew we had to show it at SEMA."
Calvillo doesn't employ the Hummer as a daily driver, but he will take it out on weekends occasionally. And, as for tips to prospective car builders just getting started he has only three words, "patience and planning."
Calvillo is a member of Swift Car Club, established in 1995, which has grown into one of the most recognized car clubs in the United States. Last year, in an awards ceremony also held in Las Vegas, DUB Magazine presented Swift Car Club with the "Best Car Club of the Year Award." In 2010 Swift also continued to grow, expanding into Washington and Texas.
"I feel proud to be in charge of the Texas chapter and to see that our car club keeps expanding with new quality rides that are bringing new ideas to the car show scene," remarked Calvillo.
What was Calvillo's reasoning for going with the K&N intake, as well as their air and oil filters? "It's simple - when it comes to performance - K&N is the leading brand. My dad uses K&N products on his hotrod builds, so it's a brand that has been in my family for quite some time."
The visually striking Hummer has been collecting plenty of attention and awards since it first debuted according. "It has been featured in Truckin, StreetTrucks and StreetSeen magazines," says Calvillo. "It has also been used for a lot of advertisements throughout the state of Texas. Just last week it was used in a photo shoot for Rides magazine."
Commenting on his impression of his first SEMA show Calvillo says, "SEMA is the world's biggest car show, I had so much fun meeting all these people that share the same passion for the car culture. I hope to attend again this year with a new build, and of course to display the K&N logo. I'm currently working on a new project and the Hummer might have a complete new look. But I can't say too much on that now - be on the lookout."
Calvillo says his immediate future goals are simple, "to stay healthy and to keep focused on my builds. I want to have sickest Hummer in the US, and I know that goal will take a lot of work."
"I would like to thank all my friends, my fellow club members, and my understanding wife for letting me invest crazy amounts of money on the Hummer," adds Calvillo.
There's every reason to believe Frankoski’s Daytona dreams will be rewarded and the stands will be filled with cheering fans.
Even through hard times, or perhaps to spite them, the cream will continue to reach the top. Sure there are moments when a racer wonders where the bucks for that new engine and tranny will come from, yet for a driver with mad-skills such as Jeremy Frankoski possesses, you just know things are going to pan out.
Jeremy Frankoski was among a only a very select group of drivers to participate in a three day open test session at Daytona International Speedway earlier this month.
Kicking-off 2011, K&N supported Jeremy Frankoski was among a select handful of drivers to participate in a three day open test session at Daytona International Speedway earlier this month. The annual event held by the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, will give Frankoski ample opportunity to experience the newly paved racing surface on the legendary 2.5 mile high banked tri-oval.
"It means a lot to me," said the Huntersville, North Carolina driver. "I always wanted to be at Daytona, but I never knew if that would actually ever happen. The three day test was great but it leaves you wanting more. Now we are working on how to turn that test, into racing there."
"The newly paved surface is smooth and has a lot of grip. I wish that I had been out on it before it was paved so I could compare, but I was a year too late. From what I was hearing in the garage, Daytona drives a lot like Talladega now. We ended our test session 16th fastest out of 42 cars at 49.714 and an average speed of 181.036 mph."
Frankoski is constantly looking for ways to improve his already impressive skill set, as he has raced in a variety of open wheel series and was the USAC Ford Focus Carolina Champion in 2009. Driving a Ford Focus Midget, he totaled five wins, 10 top-five finishes, six pole qualifications, and was honored by USAC with a Rookie of the Year title. Prior to USAC, Jeremy was a two year stand out in NEMA midgets where he also won a Rookie of the Year title driving for the Marine Engines team in 2007. He currently holds a NEMA record for his first win at Beach Ridge in 2007 - he was one of only three rookies to win a race, and the fastest to do so after only six races.
Frankoski also has two years of full bodied racing experience. In 2009, he tested with Tony Blanchard and raced in the PASS Independence 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway, finishing 16th. Last year he ran a limited NASCAR Late Model schedule at Myrtle Beach Speedway with Chad McCumbee Racing and had two top-five and four top-ten finishes.
"Working with Tony and then Chad gave me a lot of insight and a good chance to experience the differences between open wheel and full bodied cars," said Frankoski. "And running somewhat regularly last year at Myrtle Beach helped me a lot. I was really able to get more comfortable with the transition."
Florida businessman Eddie Smith, owner of Team 42 Racing (NASCAR Nationwide Series) recently named Jeremy as his Development Driver to compete in the ARCA Series and select Nationwide events.
"Team 42 Racing is proud to have Jeremy Frankoski coming aboard in our Development Driver program," commented Smith. "Jeremy is a very talented driver and possesses the type of character we are looking for on our team. We are currently looking for new marketing partners with a strategic marketing program to advance Jeremy's promising career."
"We also had great fun going to the UARA race in Myrtle Beach in June, but had to pull in after having battery issues," said Frankoski. "I would say that the highlights from last season are the run we had at the UARA race, and also when I won the USAC Ford Focus season opener "North vs. South Shootout" race at Hickory Motor Speedway. The USAC win was special because that was a last minute deal. I received a phone call from Wade Brown and Brad Noffsinger a day before the race. It's hard to hop in a new car and compete against those guys."
Given the ideal circumstances Frankoski says he'd like to run a full season in the ARCA series in order to gain valuable experience in stock cars, compete for another ROY title, and win some more races. Ultimately, he'd like to advance up into the big league, the top level of NASCAR, and have a long and prosperous career. "That could be the ideal circumstances of course," he adds.
ARCA will kick-off the season in Daytona on February 12th with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200; Team 42 hopes to have Jeremy at the wheel.
