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Chad Wienen Takes Top of Podium During Second Round of AMA ATV at Muddy Creek

Jun 27, 2012

Chad Wienen recently took two checkered flags while racing in round two of the AMA ATV Pro National circuit at Muddy Creek MX.

Chad Wienen and Team Wienen Motorsports SSi Walsh Yamaha recently rolled into the Muddy Creek MX geared up and eager to get the second round of the AMA ATV Pro National circuit underway. Trailing behind fellow rider, Joel Hetrick, in the qualifying round, Wienen missed first place by a narrow margin. After the dropping of the gate in the first moto, Wienen found himself in mid-pack amongst eighteen competitors coming out of the first turn. The rider had no intentions of anything but a victory though, and in turn, muscled his way to third place by the lap's end, following behind Josh Upperman and John Natalie. By the third lap, Natalie and Wienen had both managed to pass the early leader, Josh Upperman, and were battling for the first place position.

Wienen continued to pressure Natalie for the lead. Heavy rain came pouring down in the eleventh, with only three laps separating the riders from the checkered flag. The precipitation would not dampen Wienen's focus on the lead position, as he continued stalking Natalie in the less than favorable conditions. After a white flag, Wienen finally passed the only rider keeping him from tasting victory, and held on to the position until crossing the finish line. "I made the pass on John, actually on the last lap of the moto," he recalled. "I never felt pressure, but never looked back." When asked his take on the rain and if it had an affect on his racing, the rider explained, "I really feel in the past I used to struggle. Now with the set-up we have, I feel strong and in control. I have done well here (Muddy Creek MX) in the past. I feel it flowing and not too challenging for us, but we raced well on it."

When the start time for the second moto rolled around, the skies had cleared, the track had dried, and the recent rains were nothing more than a memory. When the gate dropped, Wienen wasted no time positioning himself in the front of the pack, immediately behind holeshot winner, Josh Upperman. Once again, he was focused on filling the top spot on the podium. That in mind, he maneuvered his Yamaha YFZ450R around his competitor, and held the lead position throughout the remainder of the race, earning his second victory of the event.

Chad Wienen and his team are anticipating a successful season in the AMA ATV Pro National circuit in 2012.

Referring to his confidence level going into the second round of the series, Wienen said, "It was on a definite high. I knew what I could do when I needed to. I never doubted myself and my program." Although the qualifying race was obviously of importance, the rider executed his game plan from early on. "I didn't want to put everything I had into qualifying. We are here to perform when it matters the most."

When asked the key to taking the victory in the second moto, Wienen said, "A great start. We came out in second and made a pass in lap one. I just rode my own race. With the remainder of the season in mind, Chad Wienen said, "The key to success will be great starts, one Moto at a time, stay healthy and never back down." Sharing how important a roll his team will play in his success, Wienen continued, "They are everything to me. I wouldn't be able to do it without all of the people involved."

Chad Wienen and his team are also acutely aware of the importance of maintenance, and use K&N products to keep their engines contaminant free while allowing an ample air and oil flow to keep their engines running at their optimal performance. "Maintenance has to be done," he explained, "No shortcuts. We use the K&N air filter for the YFZ450R, and the outer wear along with oil filters. We've been using them for four years. We also use the filters on my trucks as well," he continued. "We want the best for all of the products that we use. K&N filters are our choice."

Chad Wienen stressed that a successful weekend such as the one he and his team recently experienced has a huge affect on the remainder of the season. "Every point is huge, and when we can take all fifty in a weekend, that is what we try to accomplish." Wienen also considers his fan support. When asked what they could expect from Chad Wienen throughout the remainder of the season he said, "Everything I've got from gate drop to the finish; one moto at a time."

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NHRA Driver Allen Johnson Secures 4th K&N Low Qualifier Award of 2012 on Home Turf

Jun 27, 2012

We had tested at Bristol the week before. So we knew the track, we knew the setup and just knew what it all had to be.

With just one event now remaining before the 2012 K&N Horsepower Challenge showdown next month, Greeneville, Tennessee native and former K&N Horsepower Challenge Champion, Allen Johnson piloted his Dodge Avenger to the number one Pro Stock spot in front of a hometown crowd, during the 12th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. The $3,000 K&N Engineering Low Qualifier award became the fourth for Johnson since the new season began in February.

During the very first Pro Stock qualifying session of the event, Johnson showed that all the dyno testing his father and engine guru, Roy Johnson, does at their shop in the very similar air conditions is worth its weight in gold. Johnson sailed way in front of the pack during the first hit at the historic Bristol, Tennessee facility with a 6.659. The pass put Johnson nearly four hundredths of a second in front of his closest competitor, Vincent Nobile, who also happens to be Johnson's teammate.

During the second session, K&N's Mike Edwards briefly snatched the top spot from Johnson by making a 6.641 lap in the pair just before Johnson. But Johnson had been far from showing his hand and just moments after he got bumped, he grabbed it back again when he and his 2012 Dodge Avenger blistered their way to a 6.623 before on track festivities ended for the evening.

"We had tested at Bristol the week before," he explained of his Friday numbers. "So we knew the track, we knew the setup and just knew what it all had to be. We went out there for the first and second passes on Friday and just did what needed to be done."

Johnson did go on to lay down another nice 6.636 during the final session, being the only team to dip below 6.64 mark all weekend.

Saturday's first pass would bring warmer track temps than the last hit for the Pro Stock teams the day before. While Johnson was still third quickest of the session with his 6.667, it was nowhere near the times he had put up on the board during the earlier sessions, but he was still able to hold on to the top spot going into the final session later in the day. "We just had a little bit of what you might call a 'blip' during that session," he admitted.

With the outstanding number that Johnson and his team had laid down on Friday, no other team was able to find quite as much horsepower as the Tennessee based Dodge team and Johnson's 6.623 would hold as the quickest of not only the class qualifying efforts, but of the entire event. Johnson did go on to lay down another nice 6.636 during the final session, being the only team to dip below 6.64 mark all weekend.

"We were the quickest three out of the four sessions," he remarked. "So, that was pretty awesome. Between dad dynoing at our shop nearby in very similar conditions, and having a second team car where we can feed off of one another, it is just an awesome thing."

The most recent NHRA Pro Stock number one qualifier for Allen Johnson at Bristol Dragway made it three years in a row for the Thunder Valley Nationals. Johnson is now looking forward to wrapping up the qualifying for the 2012 K&N Horsepower Challenge during the final event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.

"Usually we are very-very fast there," said Johnson of the upcoming event at Joliet and the 15th annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals. "We've been number one [qualifier] there several times. We are in a race right now with Greg [Anderson] for that third spot in the Challenge and we are only separated by five points. So, hopefully we are going to go to Joliet, out qualify him and grab that third spot. We are so looking forward to it. It's one of the major highlights of the year for Pro Stock. The Challenge is certainly one of my personal highlights, that's for sure."

"We are already excited," he continued. "It doesn't matter if we are third, fourth or fifth, just so we are in that top eight. Luckily, we already are secured in the Challenge and we plan to head to Norwalk in a few weeks with all our guns blazin' and get the job done again."

While there could still be some shuffling of positions with one race remaining for the top seven spots in the 2012 K&N Horsepower Challenge and the race-within-a-race for the biggest single payday in all of NHRA Pro Stock with its whopping $50,000 check to the champion, the eighth and final fan voted spot has been selected. Jeg Coughlin Jr. nabbed the fan vote by a landslide, by receiving two-thirds of the total votes cast by tons of fans since voting began in April. Coughlin joins current point leader, Jason Line followed by K&N's Mike Edwards, Greg Anderson, Allen Johnson, Erica Enders along with Vincent Nobile, Ronnie Humphrey and Rodger Brogdon, who are all battling it out for the final two spots.

The 28th annual K&N Horsepower Challenge will be held as part of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on Saturday, July 7, at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

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.

The Maxxis British Drift Championship at Norfolk Continues to Raise the Bar

Jun 27, 2012

The up close and friendly on track meet-and-greet was once again a big hit at Norfolk Arena.

The rumblings started with Round 1 of the Maxxis British Drift Championship at Teesside. At the Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire, England, for the 10th birthday celebration of Japfest it amplified, with over 15,000 passionate fans dialing up the excitement meter. At Norfolk Arena, for Round 2 of the BDC, expectations were therefore justifiably high. The internet was abuzz with talk about the United Kingdom's premier drifting championship and recent television screenings had opened it up to a new demographic looking to see what all the hoopla is about. With the sound of engines echoing on, and blue smoke still lingering in the air, expectations were once more redefined and the bar has yet again been reset.

Thrilled fans were treated to an even higher level of truly world-class drifting, filled with gasps and amazements that kept them on the edge of their seats, and fidgeting to take in all the door-to-door drama. The huge attendance within the spectator stands further electrified the atmosphere throughout the arena as supporters sounded air horns, cheered, and waved flags to spur on their favorite teams and drivers. Autosports are pure adrenalin fueled entertainment, and the BDC continues to deliver all the action fans deserve for their entertainment-dollar, and then some.

Wheel-to-door action was once again the rule rather than the exception.

As with all athletes, sometimes everything zones in just right and you're square in the pocket, other times not so much. Such was the case during Friday's qualification session, which had its share of surprises with some drivers performing to new heights, while some of the more seasoned and consistent drivers struggled with lower point scores than normal. Which is yet another reason why the Maxxis British Drift Championship action is so compelling, the competition is always fierce, anyone can win, and anything can happen.

On Saturday before the battles got underway, the raring to go audience was invited down from the spectator stands to meet-and-greet the teams. This is one of the unique characteristics of the championship, the closeness the spectators can experience with the teams and cars. It's always the highlight for the weekend and a great chance to showcase any sponsored cars or parts to the audience.

As it should be, the championship celebration was a blur of champagne and drivers.

After the incredibly enthusiastic meet-and-greet session on the track, the remaining 16 drivers in each class had to refocus on their all important battles. Who would be going home early and who would be stepping onto the hallowed podium? The run to the final within each group had plenty of jaw dropping moments, with the judges having to flash the OMT (One More Time) card several times to separate some of the dueling twins.

"We had cars making wheel-to-door contact in some clashes, yet the drivers just kept the throttle pinned down in their steely determined quests to be number 1," reported K&N's UK Sales and Marketing executive, Samantha Wallace. "It was a thriller!"

One particular highlight was the Super Pro final battle between Steve Moore of SATS Motorsport and Team Japspeed's Paul "Smokey" Smith. The two combatants were so evenly matched in skill and determination, the judges had to call OMT twice, and then force it into "Sudden Death" before a decision could be made. It was a truly epic battle and a real crowd pleaser. Once again the media was in full attendance and television cameras rolled, capturing all the action and post event interviews, which will be aired in an upcoming special for Motors TV.

The preparations for Round 3 are already underway, the drivers are locked and loaded, and the legion of spectators hungry for more continues to grow.

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.

Jonathon Allard Takes Second at Silver Dollar Speedway

Jun 22, 2012

Jonathon Allard recently took second place while racing in the World of Outlaws series at the Silver Dollar Speedway in his hometown of Chico, California.

In the world of racing, drivers and their teams grow accustomed to traveling to venues all over the country. Every now and then though, an event is scheduled close enough to their homes that they aren't faced with several hours of windshield time to get to their destination. Not only do they likely appreciate not having to travel, but odds suggest that they savor the opportunity to race at a venue where the stands will be filled with friends and family.

Jonathon Allard recently experienced such a scenario, when the World of Outlaws series rolled into Chico, California, his home town. The driver had grown up racing at the Silver Dollar Speedway and had previously run there on Friday nights. The Allard Motorsports team still races at the venue on occasion, so it was safe to say that Jonathon Allard was right at home.

"Any time you race at your home track, your confidence level is high, and you especially want to defend your turf against the Outlaws," explained Allard. "These guys are the best at what they do, and you don't want to get pushed around by them. We finished ninth quick with thirty six cars on hand," he continued. "With the World of Outlaws format, it was perfect, because it put us in the front row of the heat race."

Taking advantage of his placement in his heat race, the driver took the checkered flag, and in turn qualified for the dash. Starting in the front row, Jonathon Allard was more than ready for a battle. The driver crossed the finish line in second place which was enough to ensure a spot on the front row of the thirty-five lap feature.

The rigors of racing had affected the track by the time the feature rolled around. That said, the drivers and fans were in for a "follow the leader" race where tire-wear would prove a huge factor.

Jonathon Allard and Team Allard Motorsports are anticipating a competitive and successful season in 2012.

"The track was slicked off very early in the night," recalled Allard. "When that happens, it usually ends up taking rubber, and in this case the rubber was right around the bottom. You had to stay on the bottom, because if you got out of line, you weren't going to gain any spots," he continued. "You were more than likely going to go backwards. It makes it tough when tracks are like this, because you feel bad for your fans and crew. In a perfect world, everyone is treated to three-groove racing every night. But in dirt track racing it happens from time to time, and you don't anticipate it happening so early in the season."

As were all of the other drivers', Jonathon Allard's hands were pretty well tied. Maintaining his second place spot, the driver hoped to capitalize on any mistake made by Donny Schatz, the lead driver, but as luck would have it, Schatz made a flawless run, and Allard was force to settle the second place position at the race's end.

Although Allard could have grown discouraged while running in a single file, he opted to make the best out of a bad situation. "I truly learned a few things following Donny Schatz that night," recalled Allard. "He is one of the best in the business, and I took notes all night behind him. Throughout my entire career, I have never been a tire manager, and I got a front row seat how one of the best in the business saves his tires. I feel like I learned a few things that will hopefully help us pick up a couple of extra wins throughout the year."

According to Allard, his car ran awesome throughout the entire night. That said, he and his crew are strong advocates of maintaining their vehicle. According to the driver, they depend upon K&N products to keep the internal components of their engines contaminant free while an ample volume of oil flows through the block and an adequate amount of air flow enters the intake.

"Weekly maintenance is huge, because that is what separates you from standing in the Winner's Circle or watching the end of the race with a part failure," he explained. "It's important to make sure everything is fresh, and to make sure we are putting the best possible car on the track at all times."

Referring to K&N products, he continued, "We use the low-profile Air Box, K&N oil filters and outwears [Pre-Chargers]. We have been partnered with K&N over the last ten years. They give us the best products, and I would recommend them to anyone. It's important to have the most dependable products in your race car, and K&N products are just that."

With the bulk of the 2012 season ahead of them, Jonathon Allard and the Allard Motorsports team are anticipating a string of success, and have no intentions of looking back. When asked what fans can expect from Allard Motorsports during the 2012 season, he said, "They can expect a very competitive team in 2012. We are really gunning for the 2012 King of The West championship, but to get there, we need to win as many races 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.

Jeff Gibson and Team Tuff/FMF Power Poynt Racing Have a Long but Productive Year

Jun 22, 2012

This was the turning point for Jeff, and from this race on, it was really only a battle for the championship between Jeff and Bowers.

After filling in for an injured Team TUF/FMF Power Poynt Racing rider in 2001, Jeff Gibson was given the option to return as a team member the following year. With intentions of continuing to ride in the Supercross division, the rider graciously declined the offer. That said, eight years later, Gibson did become a part of the TUF team, and immediately began making his mark in the AMA Arenacross Series. In fact, at the season's end, the rider had managed to secure the points championship.

Gibson has continued to fill a spot on the team, and as one might suspect has also continued to make a name in Arenacross racing. In fact, although finishing the most recent season second in the points race, Gibson actually led more laps this year than Tyler Bowers, who took the championship by only thirty points. That said, the battle for the title literally came down to the final race of the season.

When asked Jeff Gibson's strong point as a rider, TUF founder, Dave Antolak, said, "Jeff can adjust very quickly to changes on the track. In arenacross everything happens very quickly because of the tight tracks, so lappers and downed riders are as much of an obstacle as the track itself. Jeff handles those situations better than anybody."

Beginning the season at the wells Fargo Arena, at Des Moines, Iowa, Jeff took a third place finish. Although the third spot is nothing to shake a stick at, according to Antolak, the race at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin, was the event when the competition between Gibson and Bowers seemed to have appeared to heat up. "Jeff got the holeshot in the main event and led wire to wire," recalled Antolak. "This was the turning point for Jeff, and from this race on, it was really only a battle for the championship between Jeff and Bowers."

Jeff got the holeshot in the main event and led wire to wire.

As the season continued, the battle between the two riders did as well. In fact, going into the season finale, at the Target Center, at Minneapolis, Minnesota, the title was still up for grabs. After winning his heat race over Bowers, Gibson anticipated a good run in the main and hopefully the championship title, but as luck would have it, things simply didn't go as planned. In fact, Bowers hit the gate in the main, and in turn finished the race in fourth, relinquishing any hopes of walking away from the venue as the points champion.

Although Jeff Gibson ended the season in second place, he and his team can still hold their heads high, as their accomplishments were plenty. In fact the rider didn't log a DNF throughout the entire year. "Not only this season, but we haven't had a DNF for so long that I can't remember one," shared Antolak. "The TUF Racing team as a group is quite a good racing team. Everyone puts in a one hundred percent effort, and that is really why we have not had a DNF."

Referring to the importance of the team, Antolak continued, "I give the team a lot of credit, not only for Jeff's success, but really for the success of all the riders we had. Tracin Seng and Andy Brannon are the two mechanics. Both have been with us for over eight years, and I don't believe we have had a DNF ever during their time with us. Ron Hamp and Scott Venning build all of our motors in house. During that time, we have won three times, finished second four times, with fourth our worst overall finish. The three championships were won by three different riders, so I think that backs up the team aspect."

The Founder of TUF was also quick to agree that K&N products have played a role in Jeff Gibson and the team's success. "We use both the K&N air and oil filters," explained Antolak. "Using the air filters, we definitely see a horsepower gain, which is always a good thing in racing. But having the right filters is always a big plus in us not having any DNF's, so if you can get both, it really works out well."

When asked what fans can expect from Jeff Gibson and TUF racing during the upcoming season, Dave Antolak said, "Although you can never guarantee to win a championship, one thing I can guarantee is that Jeff Gibson and TUF racing will be there next year giving it one-hundred percent towards winning another one. Championships are just something that you can never have too many of."

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.

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