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Modified Dirt Track Race Team GR Motorsports of Cushing Wisconsin

3 Aug 2010

The team at GR Motorsports is a family committed to racing and having fun.

GR Motorsports of Cushing, Wisconsin, was established in 1992 by Bill Gross. As a teenager, Bill became interested in racing. In addition to his involvement in several stock star teams, he also raced snowmobiles and even horses. No surprise then that two of Bill's seven sons, Jason and Jeremy, now race full time.

GR Motorsports' Modified Race Car

In 1992, eldest son Jason began his career racing four cylinder mini stocks. During this time, he won a combined total of 30 races. "After that, I moved up to WISSOTA Modified class where I raced weekly at Rice Lake Speedway," says Jason. "I qualified for 13 of 18 features that year and went on to be named Rookie of the Year." More accolades followed for Jason. In 1999, he won his first feature race at Kopellah Speedway in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, and was runner up in points in 2003.

GR Motorsports of Cushing, Wisconsin

"I had a record year in 2004, winning Track Champion at Kopellah Speedway for the Modified class with six feature wins," says Jason. "I was ranked 4th in Wisconsin State Points and 18th in National Points out of 550 registered drivers and went on to be named Track Champ at Kopellah for the next two years."

In 2008, he enjoyed two feature wins, and came in 4th in NASCAR National Points at Cedar Lake Speedway where he also had ten top 10 feature finishes. 2009 brought two feature wins, and a 5th place finish in the points at Cedar Lake Speedway.

Younger brother Jeremy started his racing career in 2000, running a few races in the pure stock class. Jeremy ran a full season in 2001 and earned himself his very own Rookie of the Year at Kopellah Speedway with ten feature wins, a mid season championship and Track Points Champion in the Pure Stock class. "In 2002, I moved up to run in the Super Stock class, finishing the season with 7th place in track points, and earning another Rookie of the Year title at Kopellah Speedway," says Jeremy. He continued to run the Super Stock class and walked away with one feature win, seven top five finishes, and 3rd in track points at Kopellah Speedway in 2003.

"I decided that I wanted to try running in the modified class, so with the help of my brother Jason, I ran a limited modified schedule at Kopellah and took second in track points that year in the Super Stock," says Jeremy. He went on to win eight heat races, three feature races, 14 top five finishes and a 4th place finish in the Wissota Super Stock Points.

In 2007, Jeremy concentrated on his Modified, garnering eight top five finishes and a 5th place in track points at Cedar Lake Speedway. "I raced in Barberville, Florida, in 2008 at the Alltel Winter Nationals, where I finished top twenty in points," says Jeremy. "I took 5th in NASCAR National Points at Cedar Lake Speedway where I had ten top 10 finishes." Jeremy took 4th in track points at Cedar Lake Speedway in 2009.

Both brothers have started the 2010 season off with a bang. Jason is currently building a new 2011 Matrix Chassis and Jeremy welcomed his first child in February. "I had a great start to the 2010 season, with a feature win my first night racing at Cedar Lake and a 4th place finish my second night," says Jason. Jeremy started off his season with a top 10 finish, and then wrecked his car the second race of the season. "Hopefully, it will be ready to go for the next race," says Jeremy.

So what about the rest of this talented racing family? Father Bill owns and operates Gross Trucking and he is also the team transporter. Bill's wife Vicki is the team Mom, cook, and biggest fan. Vicki and Bill have seven children, all boys with names that start with the letter J. "Jared is the team machinist and can build anything. Jordan is the fabricator, and if you can dream it, he can make it reality. John and Jamison are the team 'gophers' - they help us with anything and they are in the pits and the stands every night for support. Last, but not least, Justin is the family car salesmen and the team manager," says Jason.

The team at GR Motorsports is a family committed to racing and having fun. "We do our best to promote the sport, as well as the sponsors in the most professional way possible," says team manager Justin. "Our goal for the 2010 season is to race in at least 60 shows at Superior and Cedar Lake speedways, in order to advertise our sponsors at as many tracks as possible. We will do our best to see that we bring home a Track Championship to be in contention for national points," says Justin. "We would not be able to do this without the help of our wonderful partners at K&N and all their great products they provide. Dirt track racing demands the best and K&N delivers."

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.

Milton and Jennifer Tolen Earn Pro-Comp Eliminator Win at Oak Hollow

3 Aug 2010

Milton runs on a 7.92 index which required zero adjustment on the shortened run.

After placing third at the Augusta Southern Nationals drag boat race on Saturday, then spinning a bearing on Sunday, Milton and Jennifer Tolen drove home, put the spare motor in their boat, and won the following weekend at High Point Oak Hollow in North Carolina.

With each win Milton keeps building on the attention and respect he gets from fellow competitors.

"Well, the rush that we underwent to install the spare motor, for sure, left us a little questionable about how our performance would be at Oak Hollow. And of course we had to wonder a little about what we left at home, while we were on the road. But after some solid runs on Saturday, putting us in the number one qualifier position, the feeling was strong that Sunday would be a success," said Jacksonville, Florida resident.

Milton Tolen officially started dragboat racing in 2003, after spending many years playing around with a flat-bottom boat at the various lakes. Competing in the sanctioned events has only made him a better driver, the competition is usually on the edge, and no one counts out the other guy according to Milton.

The Tolen's were a little iffy about the spare motor they had just put in, but it worked flawlessly, as Milton won the Pro-Comp Eliminator class.

"Racing drivers from the west coast are a really fun challenge, due to the fact they most likely have more seat time. Races on the left coast are much more prevalent than the right side," remarked Milton.

Milton has managed to gain the respect of his competitors at every race he and his wife Jennifer attend.

"It helps when you claim the Comp Flat Record at the finals in Chandler, Arizona, which is one of the tougher tracks to run due to the water density, explains Milton.

The Lucas Oil Thunder at Oak Hollow Drag Boat Races was back at Festival Park this year, and bigger than ever with over 100 registered boats. Taking a cue from their land counterparts, the NHRA sanctioning body, Lucas Oil shortened the runs for its professional classes from a quarter-mile to 1,000 feet in order to lengthen the runoff area. Milton runs in the Pro-Comp Eliminator class on a 7.92 index and required no adjustment in his index for the shortened run.

"We have always depended on K&N Filters as far back as I remember," said Milton. "These are products you can really count on - round after round. We are now, and always have been, true believers in these filters. We use the oil filters and breather filters. The oil is a vital piece of your motor, and you need to feel confident that your oil filter is working efficiently and not collapsing, or adding any unwanted troubles. Why would you even consider anything but staying with the best?"

"We leave next Thursday August, 5th for Chouteau, Oklahoma, the race is the 7th and 8th. Then we're off to Marble Falls, Texas (Lakefest) the 13-15th. During both of these races we will encounter more racers from the western area, so we know the competition will tough, but we still feel strong about an another excellent outcome."

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.

Interview With NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Driver Moses Smith

3 Aug 2010

#16 HASA pool products Toyota Camry

Racing became a passion for Moses Smith at a fairly young age while attending his father's off-road races. At age 10, Moses received his first go kart and began his journey down the racing career pathway. Today, he races in the NASCAR K&N Pro series west circuit in the #16 HASA pool products Toyota Camry. He was voted the pro series most popular driver in the Pro Series in 2008 and 2009.

NASCAR K&N Pro series west driver Moses Smith

Moses attended the K&N Engineering meet and greet on Friday before the race at Toyota Speedway, in Irwindale California. I had a chance to get up close and personal with Moses before the big race this weekend. He has an extremely positive character with strong ambitions to keep racing for many years to come. He lives the life of a typical racer with lots of traveling, day to day work out sessions to stay in shape, and best of all racing in the K&N Pro Series West. I asked Moses a few interview questions which he was more than happy to respond.

K&N: What are your future career goals?
Smith: "Keep climbing the race ladder."

K&N: How is the 2010 season going compared to last year?
Smith: "This year is a lot better. Our defense is on lock and we are working on our offense."

K&N: What is your favorite track?
Smith: "The oval track at Phoenix, it's near my home town."

K&N: Why do you run with #16 on the car?
Smith: "Number 16 was always the car to beat."

K&N: how did you get the #16 car?
Smith: "When I moved to Bill McNally Race Team they wouldn't let me run the number 16. Bill said I had to prove myself and gave me the number 18 car."

K&N: Is racing a family event?
Smith: "Yea. My mom helps my team with PR."

K&N: What advice do you have for young racers seeking to enter a career in racing?
Smith: "Don't five up. It's a long road but, it's all about hard work."

K&N: What do you think of Talladega Nights: The ballad of Ricky Bobby?
Smith: "It had good lines and scenarios. I hope to be Ricky Bobby(jokingly)?"

Moses currently stands 4th in the NASCAR Pro Series West with 836 points. It has been a good year for the Bill McNally Race Team. Moses finished 4th at Irwindale over the Fourth of July weekend, after qualifying 14th overall. Hopes are high for Moses to win yet another most popular driver award and a number one spot as the 2010 season is underway.

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.

Darrell Wallace Jr. Wins NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race at Lee USA Speedway

3 Aug 2010

Darrell Wallace Jr. won the second NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race of his career.

Darrell Wallace Jr. won the second NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race of his career, driving through the infield grass at Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire to beat Ryan Truex and Eddie McDonald to the finish line with three laps to go in the race.

Darrell Wallace at Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire

The pass by Wallace sparked some paint swapping between Wallace and Truex during the cool-down laps. Truex ran into the back of Wallace's car and spun out Wallace.

After the race, Truex said he didn't mean to spin out Wallace. But Truex admitted he was angry with the way Wallace won the race.

"Right as I crossed the start-finish line I knew we won it," said Wallace, a 16-year-old rookie driver for Revolution Racing. "I was excited. The whole team was excited. After the race I got turned by Truex. He said he didn't mean to. He said he was mad."

Darrell Wallace Jr.

"That's what you do when you get passed in the grass like that. That's pretty much sore losing right there. Kind of upset about that, but, oh well, can't let that get to me. We just spanked him in this race."

Truex was in the lead on the final restart of the race on lap 122. Wallace took the lead from Truex on lap 123 and held it for the final two laps of the race. The final three laps were the only laps of the race Wallace led.

"I didn't mean to spin him out. I got into the back of him. I was a little angry with him," said the 18-year-old Truex, the reigning East Series champion. "Anybody would be. When you're racing side-by-side with somebody, and he just goes through the grass, doesn't even try to pass you. He could have waited a lap and maybe got under us and raced us clean. But he decided to drive through the grass and drive into my door. If that's how he wants to race, I'll race like that. I don't like racing like that. Anyone will tell you I race people clean and I have respect for people, but if they're going to drive me like that, that's what's going to happen to them."

Truex finished second in the race, followed by Brett Moffitt in third.

"We were really fighting the car all day long when we unloaded off the truck," said the 17-year-old Moffitt, who posted his fourth top-five finish in seven East Series races. "We definitely got a lot better for the race. Our series hasn't run here for years, so we didn't know what to expect. We had to really work at it, throw a lot at it."

McDonald, who led a race-high 66 laps, ended up in fourth. Rookie Cole Whitt was fifth.

"We went in the race and the car was just awesome," Truex said. "We were the best car out there other than Eddie McDonald. We got up there, me and Eddie were racing clean, racing hard. He wanted to win here, his home track. I was having a good time racing him, whatever happened there on the last lap, Darrell Wallace just drove us through the grass. It took away a good race from me and Eddie. Happy with second, good points day, but wanted the win."

Wallace trimmed Truex's lead in the East Series standings to 33 points. Wallace won for the first time since the season opener at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina in March. It was Wallace's fifth top-five finish and sixth top 10 of the season.

"I wasn't expecting it again," Wallace said. "When we were sitting in third, I didn't know what the two leaders were going to do. When we got it, I was happy. Hopefully I can get another one. I know this helped out a lot in the rookie of the year. This is awesome. Hopefully we just go for another one next time."

The next East Series race is at Gresham Motorsports Park in Georgia on Aug. 28.

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.

NHRA Pro Stock Driver Allen Johnson Makes it Back-to-Back Event Poles

3 Aug 2010

The first qualifying session was all that Johnson needed to get his bearings straight on what it would take to make his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger happy.

Tennessee based Allen Johnson has been showing numerous signs over the last several months of his team's crucial power gains in their Team Mopar Dodge Avenger along with their hopes of being the newest NHRA Pro Stock powerhouse.

Allen Johnson and the Team Mopar Dodge Avenger.

His most recent accomplishments, in that department, would come during the final event on the NHRA's "Western Swing". Johnson not only nearly dominated during all four of the Pro Stock qualifying sessions, but also persevered through the elimination rounds on Sunday to secure his first event victory of the 2010 season at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals.

The weekend didn't start of for Johnson quite as it ended high on the mountain. During the first qualifying session his Dodge Avenger was only able to muster a 7.063 elapsed time, which garnered him the number two spot just behind Mike Edwards.

"Not testing there really cost us that first pass," said Johnson. "We didn't have any data for that track this year, so we just started with where we ended last year. That wasn't quite good enough for the first pass."

"From there we honed in on it though," Johnson added.

While the air temperature and humidity during the weekend wasn't all that bad compared to what the teams have run in at other events during the season, it was extremely low barometer. Due to the Bandimere Speedway's high altitude the barometer hovers in the low 24" range. This causes the tuning of the naturally aspirated Pro Stock engines to be so much different than many other events, especially when the adjusted altitude on the weather gauges soared well above 9,500 feet, more than double, if not triple the "air" of most facilities on the NHRA tour.

The first qualifying session was all that Johnson needed to get his bearings straight on what it would take to make his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger happy. With the very next qualifying session Friday evening, he moved up to the pole position and never looked back. It was during session number two that Johnson began a trend that he carried throughout the remainder of qualifying, continuously improving upon his previous numbers and outrunning the entire Pro Stock field each and every time.

In the fourth session, Johnson posted a 6.966 at 198.64 MPH and a new track speed record.

"We are hitting our peak right about the right time, it seems like," noted Johnson. "If we can just keep going, keep the engine solid and keep me solid in the driving compartment, I really think we have something for them."

The K&N Horsepower Challenge offers the top qualified Pro Stock team at each event bonus money and points based on position. At the end of the Challenge qualifying season, the top eight qualified teams will spar off for the biggest single payday in all of NHRA Pro Stock and a shot at $50,000 for the event champion.

Just four events into the 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge, Johnson has already started to put a little room between his current number one spot and the driver sitting at number two, Jeg Coughlin, albeit thirty-five points.

"The Horsepower Challenge is very important to us," conveyed Johnson. "What K&N does for us and the money they put up for first place [qualifying] each week and just the prestige of running in the K&N event is very-very important to me. The qualifying points each week are huge toward that, so we are working toward that always."

With the Pro Stock pole at Denver, Johnson and his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger have now racked up back-to-back number one qualifying positions, most notably a feat no other Pro Stock driver other then Mike Edwards has accomplished in quite some time.

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