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K&N Sponsored Huntley Nash Wins AMA Pro SuperSport Race at Laguna Seca

27 Aug 2010

The AMA Pro SuperSport win at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was Nash's second this season, he also won last month at Elkhart Lake.

The 2.238-mile world-renowned Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, previously known as Laguna Seca Raceway, is a paved road racing track used for both auto and motorcycle racing.

Nash proved that he does indeed enjoy using his front brake.

The racetrack built in 1957 in Monterey, California has 300 feet of elevation change and eleven turns, including the legendary "Corkscrew." It might be amusing to imagine the corkscrew at turns 8 and 8A to be a creation of pure evil genius, truth is there was really no other choice, considering the terrain and the location of the oak trees that surround it. This track can shatter dreams as furiously as it can create legends.

"It was really awesome. I had a lot of fun that weekend, and seeing how it was during the MotoGP weekend, I was really happy to pull that one off. That's an opportunity not many people get to have, to say that they've won that race, during that weekend, at that track. The track is amazing!"

Nash utilized his trademark "back-it-in" style to win the 18-lap event.

Those were LTD Racing's Huntley Nash's comments after winning the AMA Pro SuperSport race at Laguna Seca. Nash earned his AMA Pro SuperSport win in California during the support race at United States Grand Prix.

"It's so fast and flowing, and that was really the first time I've gotten along with that track. The track has some corners where you need to be smooth and fast, and the other half of the race track suits my style more, the part where you can charge the bike into the corner, on the brakes pretty hard," explained Nash.

The 18-year-old K&N sponsored racer may as well get used to doing interviews - the young hot-gun will no doubt be doing plenty of them.

"I really like the left to right directional changes, and the elevation changes to the corkscrew, down to the final turns, leading up to the first few turns are my favorite parts of the track. The sixth gear turn one, leading into turn two, is my favorite corner though. You can get over that hill pretty fast and charge it into two and get it pretty sideways."

Nash, winner at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin last month, won this fiercely contested triumph in front of the world stage in Monterey. Nash utilized his "back-it-in" style to stamp his authority on the 18 lap event.

During the moments before his race Nash visualizes attacking the 2.238-mile world-renowned track.

In explaining his "back-it-in" style the 18-year-old Georgian laughs, "I think it's pretty cool to watch! I really like the brakes a lot, and when I get comfortable, it's just something that kind of happens for me. I've been trying to tame it a little bit because sometimes it's not the best way into a lot of corners. Like I said though, it always ends up happening when I'm really comfortable going into the corner. I love riding the bike like that, so I try to use it to my advantage."

"We went through a lot this weekend, crashes and other dramas - the type of stuff you can get into when you have back-to-back race weekends," said the team's Director of Competition Gary Medley.

"It's a lot of stress and when we have a young team like we have, it really pushes everyone. For Huntley to win, it means a lot to the entire team. I can't say enough about him. He's maturing and developing really well."

Nash and the team rode their wave of success at Laguna Seca to the following race at Virginia International Raceway (VIR).

"I felt pretty confident at VIR, we came out with a third and a second. I made some good progress with the bike," said Nash. "I'm trying to get a little bit more confidence with the front end of the bike."

"We have two more races this year, next at New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) and then at Barber Motorsports Park. I'm really hoping to win both races at NJMP and show everyone I can do the double. I'm really excited about that weekend, there's going to be a lot of people there and the track is just awesome!"

"Every time I get on the bike I'm feeling better and better with it," said the K&N sponsored racer, "So we'll keep making improvements and go for some more wins."

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.

Edwards Claims Eleventh Number One Qualifier of 2010 in NHRA Pro Stock at Brainerd

27 Aug 2010

NHRA Pro Stock Driver Mike Edwards

Oklahoma's Mike Edwards continues to show he still has one of the top rides to beat, in the always highly competitive NHRA Pro Stock class, with his latest number one qualifier at Brainerd International Raceway for 29th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.

Mike Edwards at Brainerd International Raceway

It was several events ago when Edwards locked down the number one position in the 2010 NHRA Countdown to the Championship, but securing a top spot in the K&N Horsepower Challenge for the 2011 showdown is long from over.

As of late, Mike Edwards and his Penhall/Interstate Batteries/K&N Pontiac GXP has been in a tight battle with fellow competitor, Allen Johnson, both qualifying points and in the regular season Championship.

Due to some weather issues at the Brainerd event, qualifying sessions for all professional and sportsman classes were shortened. Edwards just trailed Johnson by a mere two-thousandths of a second and held on to the number two spot after session number one on Friday.

It was during session two on Saturday that Edwards was able to punch up his way up to the number one spot, greatly improving on his earlier ET by posting a 6.644 and edging out Johnson by a full one-hundredth of a second, who had also improved on his previous number. During the final session, Edwards was only the second quickest with his 6.657, but thanks to his efforts earlier in the day remained on the pole going into Sunday's eliminations and grabbed all possible qualifying points for the K&N Horsepower Challenge, along with the $3,000 bonus check provided by K&N.

From a close number two position, Edwards continues to eat away at the points lead for the 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge, currently held by Allen Johnson, and hopes of competing again in the most coveted single race in all of NHRA Pro Stock where the event champion takes away $50,000.

While the outcome during first round eliminations on Sunday at Brainerd was not what Edwards was looking for, he still proved that his Penhall/Interstate Batteries/K&N Pontiac GXP is one of the top horsepower producing cars on the circuit. His 6.593 at 209.04 MPH effort, both low ET and top speed of the event, were just not enough for, number sixteen qualifier, Rodger Brogdon's 6.647. Brogdon nailed the tree with a .015 to Edward's .089 and held on to his starting line lead by a full six feet at the stripe.

Coming into first round, Edwards was 7-0 against Brogdon but some tracks just seem to plague drivers more than others. One could say the Brainerd is one of those tracks for Edwards and in twelve appearances he has only garnered six round wins.

After Edwards had locked down the number one spot in the Countdown, he had said that he would go into test mode as much as possible with his K&N Pontiac. Now that the points have been reset going into the biggest race on the entire NHRA schedule, The US Nationals, and a mere 110 points separating the top ten, it will soon be time to see if the testing for both the car and the driver pay dividends.

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.

Dalton Millican Gets First Overall Win at Dirt Days at Loretta Lynn's Ranch

26 Aug 2010

This is the only view other racers had of Millican for two days.

Take two parts of madly driven work ethic, mix in one heaping helping of genetic bias, and you get Dalton Millican, the smoking fast ATV up-and-comer from Munford, Tennessee.

Millican stole the holeshot in both motos, leaving those behind him dazed and confused.

Eighteen-year-old Millican was born into a racing family, his father is six-time Top Fuel World Champion and Television Host Clay Millican. Millican has been racing in the ATV National Motocross Series for the past couple of years, steadily progressing up through the ranks. Last year Millican moved up to the fiercely competitive 450A and the Production-A classes.

True to form and early predictions regarding the young talent, Millican managed to pull-out his first overall win at the biggest race of the year, Dirt Days at Loretta Lynn's Ranch. This is the oldest race on the ATV national circuit, it draws the very best racers in the biz, and more of them in fact than any other event on the AMA ATV Motocross Series calendar. And yes, the property is owned by the world famous Coal Miner's Daughter, Loretta Lynn.

Unassuming Millican stated that it seemed unfair for him to be taking all the podium credit for his first overall victory when so many other people have contributed.

The soil on the Hurricane Mills, Tennessee track is sandy with a sawdust additive, which explains the odd smell. You absolutely have to be in shape for this one - the indigenous heat and humidity will sap your strength if you're not finely tuned and fully prepared.

Peak physical conditioning and constant training is the key to winning says Millican.

"It feels great to get this win, I really still can't believe I did it," remarked Millican. "This means a lot, especially to do it in my home state, only a few hours from my house. I have been trying all year to get a win, and do it at our biggest race of the year is an incredible feeling. It takes so many people to make this all possible, it is unfair that I am the only one standing on the podium after such a big win."

"I think training at Joes Byrd's Quad Riding School made it my race. Joe's track is similar and I am sure that being used to the Tennessee heat helped as well," added Millican.

Millican has been training with Joe Byrd, the two-time AMA Champion, since the beginning of the 2009 race season. "The training I receive at the Joe Byrd's school is second to none," commented Millican.

On Saturday Millican kicked off the weekend in grand style in the 450A class, pulling the holeshot and leading the entire race, giving him his first moto win in the 450A class.

A muggy rain storm that night left the track a mess for the start of moto two on Sunday though. With help from his engine builder Jeff Maxey, and Micah MacDonough from Custom Axis Racing Shocks, Millican was able to get his bike properly prepared for the sloppy conditions. When the gate dropped for the second moto on Sunday, Millican exploded into the first corner ahead of the field, he was never once challenged on his way to the checked, and his first ever overall victory in the 450A class.

Humble to the bone, Millican thanked his sponsors for their help with his first win and for their continued support.

"I use K&N (RU-4740) air filters, (KN-116) oil filters, K&N filter oil and K&N filter cleaner. These products are working out great and I wouldn't change a thing. I get top level performance and never worry about my engine being protected."

"I am planning on training much harder during the off season, so when I start the 2011 season, I will be in better shape physically than I have ever been," said the intensely determined Millican. "I believe doing this will lead me to a championship."

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.

2010 to 2016 Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and LR4 Get Added Performance with K&N

25 Aug 2010

Replacement Air Filter for 2010 to 2016 Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and LR4

The 2010 to 2016 Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and LR4 models with 5.0 liter engines are being reported as some of the best all around sport utility vehicles of the year and K&N is taking their performance to the next level with the new 33-2446 dual panel drop-in High Flow Air Filters. These twin air filters drop-in the dual factory air-boxes providing a tight polyurethane sealing lip to ensure an excellent air seal for outstanding filtration and engine protection.

Test Data for 2010 to 2016 Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and LR4 Replacement Air Filter

Washable and reusable like all K&N air filters, part 33-2446 only needs cleaning around every 50,000 miles depending on road conditions. The filter oil, infused within the four layers of cotton filtration media grabs onto dirt and contaminants and loads them into the filter itself creating more filtration without sacrificing much airflow. This is unlike many disposable paper filters which let the dirt and debris settle on the filter and restrict airflow significantly overtime.

Our lab testing of a filter with this specific product design showed it capable of drawing 558.8 cubic feet of air per minute @1.5" of water while trapping over 98% of dust and contaminants overall. This is a real advantage for Land Rover models as they can see some of the dustiest areas on the planet. On the other side, even if the world's most demanding terrains are not on the list of destinations for your vehicle, K&N ensures these filters, with its 1,000,000 mile limited warranty, will last the life of your vehicle. Whether traversing the wilderness or cruising the city's highways, K&N's 33-2446 will provide outstanding filtration and performance no matter where you go.

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.

Dan Fletcher Wheels His K&N Clad Stock Camaro to the Winner's Circle at NHRA Brainerd National

24 Aug 2010

Dan Fletcher wins NHRA National Event at Brainerd International Raceway

As one of the prolific sportsman drivers of all time, K&N's Dan Fletcher continues to have the on-track success that many can only dream of and he continued his winning ways at the most recent NHRA National Event held at Brainerd International Raceway.

Dan Fletcher and his K&N Clad Stock Chevy Camaro

Drivers such as Fletcher seem to have certain facilities where things just fall their way, more so than not, and the track just outside of Brainerd, Minnesota continues to be one of those venues for Fletcher.

"You know you can't put your finger on why, but yeah it is," Fletcher says when speaking of his history at the Brainerd track. "I think I've pretty much won there more than I haven't, when I go there. I really don't understand why, but things just work when I go there." Fletcher competed in both of his K&N Chevy Camaros during the event, one in Stock and the other, Super Stock. But it was the Stock class Camaro where he would spend most of his weekend after taking an early first round bow in the Super Stock category.

"I don't know what it is but I sure have been conserving runs in the Super Stock car lately," he joked.

The Churchville, New York resident bettered each of his first two round opponents on the tree in his '69 Camaro E/SA entry and easily outdrove them at the stripe and that set him up for his first of two eventual meetings with the Line family.

For round three, Fletcher was paired up with Lance Line, brother of NHRA Pro Stock racer Jason Line and a very pivotal moment on his way to the final. "Lance going red in round three gave me the bye in round four," said Fletcher of his memorable rounds. "And then the bye wrapped up racing for the day Saturday."

That would be the first of several redlight round wins for Fletcher throughout the event and when asked about if it had anything to do with the possible intimidation of running the likes of "Dan Fletcher", he just laughed.

"I seldom get many redlights against me. I get a lot of double-oh lights," he explained. "Make no mistake about it, it was a seven round race and I had three redlights [wins] and a bye run. [laughs] I mean I had a lot of good fortune and then you win."

"I don't want to be too contrite about it, but it's pretty much the way it is. The days you get lucky you're gonna win and the days you aren't lucky you are not going to win," he continued. "I mean the days of just being totally dominant and just rolling over people, they're gone. That just ain't gonna happen, you've got to be lucky, you've got to be good and you've got to be there."

When Fletcher made it to the final, it was not only a little different kind of scene on the starting line compared to most of his rounds, but it was also his second meeting of the event with a brother of Jason Line. This time he would be paired up with local racer Ben Line, who had made it to his very first NHRA final and was looking to do well in front of his family and hometown crowd.

"Clearly in the final, you roll up there and he's got a herd of eighty people around him and I'm up there by myself," he joked. "But you know I'm kinda used to that and frankly that may have put more pressure on him."

"But her certainly drove great," Fletcher continued. "He probably deserved to win the event. I mean I drove great in the final, but he had been driving great all weekend. I was driving I would say, [pauses] good. In the final I knew I was dialed to go under, I knew I hit the tree and I could tell he was going around me and I go ‘oh this is great, com'on, go on, go on, get on up there and take that stripe and we'll call it a day'. And I was able to back it off and take the win as he breakout."

Fletcher, who doesn't always get to hang around and enjoy his victories in the winner's circle due to travel time constraints, did finally get to enjoy this one, his 68th NHRA National Event win.

But now he's thinking this was one of the celebrations he should have skipped.

"I kinda felt like it had been a while, even though I guess it hadn't been that long since I got to hang out and celebrate," he explained. "So I stayed and did the winner's circle thing and sincerely wish that I hadn't because as I'm thirty seconds from pulling out of the place a monsoon wind blows up and blows the backdrop into the fender of my car."

"I'm standing at my passenger door and all of a sudden the kid that's holding on to that things says, ‘I can't hold it', and it just starts blowing towards the car," he continued. "I just took a flying drop kick like a pro wrestler at the thing and planted it with two feet. I hit the ground flat on my back and sat there leg pressing the thing off of my car. It was going to take out the whole side of my car. The door, the fender and it was probably going to topple over the roof."

"It dented the front of the fender and it chipped the paint," he said. "I don't know how I'm going to fix it. The car was painted in California."

Fletcher, who has had a great season in his Stock car, was hoping to test in his Super Stock Camaro after some changes prior to his next event at Cecil County, Maryland for the NHRA Division 1 event this past weekend.

But when parts didn't arrive in time, he only entered the event with his Stock car and made it through the first two rounds of competition before Mother Nature put a halt on the racing action.

Racing will resume for Fletcher and the rest of the remaining competitors this weekend with a much dryer forecast on tap.

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.