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Zaskowoski Motorsports Experiences a Great Weekend at The JEGS NHRA Cajun SPORTnationals

May 1, 2012

Brad Zaskowski recently missed the tri-fecta at Belle Rose, Louisiana while driving a 2010 Cobra Jet owned by Downing Farms.

Team Zaskowski Motorsports recently embarked upon a long drive from Belding, Michigan to Belle Rose, Louisiana. Upon reaching their destination the crew was more than likely elated to have the journey behind them. They hadn't necessarily grown tired of driving, but they were anxious to get the JEGS NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals underway.

Bill Zaskowski recently made a showing at the JRGS NHRA SPORTSnatioanls at Belle Rose,Louisiana in his Chevy II.

Bill Zaskowski, the patriarch of the family lined up in the Super Stock Class behind the wheel of his Chevy II. As the team had anticipated, the driver saw his fair share of success down in Cajun country. In fact, after a .002 reaction time in the first round, Bill came up just a few thousandths short of the win. Racing in the Stock J/S class, Bill's son, Brad began the event on a positive note and continued a great run throughout all three days of racing.

Driving a 2010 Cobra Jet, owned by Downing Farms, Brad took his class, qualifying him to run in the bonus CIC race, an event where Stock and Super Stock class winners compete against each other off their indexes. When all was said and done, Brad had earned the title of CIC race champion and was looking forward to the final day of the weekend. In fact, of 106 cars scheduled to compete in the event, the driver managed to whittle his competitors down to eight cars before making it to the quarter-finals. With only three rounds left, the Zaskowski finally experienced defeat. Although he would have rather earned the win, Brad had no reason to grow discouraged, as he ended the weekend only three rounds shy of pulling off the tri-fecta.

Although Brad Zaskowski's performance was incredible throughout the entire event, there was a point during the first day of racing when the driver was almost forced to cut the weekend short. "The key to success was getting the car back together before class, after breaking the 3-link on the car during the second qualifying run," recalled Brad Zaskowski. "When the third link broke, it sent the drive shaft up into the mount and destroyed the end of the shaft. Wirth only a few hours from the last qualifying run until the first round of class, there wasn't much time to get the car fixed. We needed to repair the drive shaft or find one the same length, which is like finding a needle in a haystack."

"Jeff Teuton's shop was near by, and he had a bunch of drive shafts," he continued, "but none the right length. Although Jeff didn't have one, he suggested that Jim Schaechter might have one that would work, and it did," he continued. "I was about five minutes from loading the car up and calling it a weekend, and then Jim had this drive shaft that was perfect."

When asked his thoughts about the reaching the quarter-finals out of a field in excess of one-hundred cars, Zaskowski said, "My confidence level was high on Sunday. After the wins on Friday and Saturday, Sunday felt like there was nothing to lose and I was just having fun!"

Of course, the entire Zaskowski Motorsports team enjoys standing in the winner's circle but there are other element of racing that they find of importance as well, one being tradition. When asked his thoughts on competing in the sport as a family, Brad said, "My dad races and my brother, Shane, also races with us in the Stock Class. Racing is very important to us as a family; it is what we have always done. Dad was racing before I was born, and we have always gone to the races together as a family."

As a second generation Driver, Brad is acutely aware of the importance of keeping their vehicles properly maintained. In fact, team Zaskowski Motorsports depends upon K&N products to keep their engines contaminant free. "We have been using K&N air filters on our street cars as long as I can remember. It was always the best option when purchasing a filter. The oil filters are great, and we have been using them on all three race cars since K&N started making them," he continued. "The wrench-off nut on the bottom is a great advantage too, where we have very little room to use a standard filter wrench."

"K&N's new inline fuel filter is the new must have product for us this year," stated Zaskowski. "We just had three of these filters delivered to us a few weeks ago, and they look great! K&N is the best. There is no other filter company that comes close! If we can't keep the engines clean on the inside, there is no way they are going to last and run as good as they do for us."

Referring to the key to success during the remainder of the 2012 season, the driver said, "I think it's just going out and having fun at the races. It has worked for us in the past, and we are just going to keep doing that." When asked what fans can expect from Zaskowski Motorsports in 2012, the driver said, "I hope you can expect to see us in the winner's circle more! We have a full schedule of races for the year that are going to be in full swing here soon and we can't wait!"

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Tony Gualda's Confidence Level was High Going Into Season Opener

May 1, 2012

Ladd Lane school sixth grader, Tony Gualda, is no stranger to the sport of racing and is anticipating success during the 2012 season. (Photo by bryanlugo.com)

Ladd Lane School sixth grader, Tony Gualda, was bitten by the racing bug early on, and is no stranger to competing in the sport. In fact, the young driver recently kicked the 2012 season off at the Lemoore Raceway, in Lemoore, California.

Tony Gualda recently kicked off his second season in the Restricted class of Micro Sprint racing at the Lemoore Raceway in Lemoore, California. (Photo by bryanlugo.com)

"On practice day, both the team and I learned a lot about the track," recalled the driver. "It was bigger and flatter, more of a driver's track. We had to make adjustments to tighten the car up since the track was dry-slick. My confidence level was high," he continued. "My lap times were faster than the main event winner of the last race of the previous season." When asked the key to success at this particular event, Gualda's answer was short and to the point. "Being calm, and keeping the car under control while the track has slicked off, making my car very loose."

Qualifying tenth, the young driver earned the pole position during his heat race. After a fierce battle, Gualda took forth place in his heat, putting him at a mid-pack starting position for the main in a field of eighteen cars.

"To me, more cars were an advantage, since I can keep my momentum up when there are many drivers using one groove. I like racing with a lot of drivers at this track. Everybody races me very hard and clean," he explained.

Gualda had a great start in the main event, and had already worked his way into the sixth position when a yellow flag was waved due to a spin in turn two. After the restart, he found himself in seventh and continued to hold the spot for several laps. Gualda was passed by a fellow driver with only seven laps to go. Although strongly contended, the young driver managed to hang on, ending the night with an eighth place finish.

When asked if he was satisfied with the end result, Gualda explained, "I was happy with the finishing position. We had a fifteenth place car, but I was still able to keep it in the top ten, not spin out, or hurt the car."

When asked his strong point as a driver Gualda said, "Being able to keep calm and breath, not driving over my head, and trying different lines until I found one that makes the car faster."

Although Tony Gualda's driving skills will have a huge bearing on his success during the 2012 season, he is also acutely aware of the importance of his team. "My team is very important to me," shared Gualda. "My dad is always working 110% to get the car faster, during the week, as well as on the weekends. I'm able to give him great information, so we know how to adjust the car."

Keeping the car in tip-top running condition is always a top priority for team TG Motorsports. "Maintenance is very important to me," he explained. "To finish first, you must first finish. In my six years of racing, I have only had two DNF's, both engine failure, one in my Outlaw Kart, and one in my 600 Micro."

That in mind, Tony Gualda and team TG Motorsports depend upon K&N products to keep their engines contaminant free. "I have six championships with the K&N air filters on my Outlaw Kart," shared Tony, "and last year, my first year of racing my micro sprint, I gained five miles per hour from the beginning to the end of the year. I've been sponsored by K&N for one year and use their High Flow horsepower making air filters and their spin-on oil filters. They help my oil stay clean and give me horsepower to get to the winner's circle. K&N products are great, long lasting, horsepower making products," he continued.

"To be successful throughout 2012, I'll have to be consistent, make good decisions on and off of the track, keep breathing, have fun and win," explained Gualda. When asked what fans could expect from Tony Gualda and TG Motorsports this season, he said, "A consistent finishing, confident driver. When you come to see me, you will see an exciting race with a great finish."

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.

Bud Kaeding Makes His 2012 Winged Debut With World OF Outlaws

May 1, 2012

Following a feature win, Bud Kaeding rolled into the Thunderbowl with confidence and anticipation of an action packed and exciting outing.

With an action packed feature win behind them, Bud Kaeding and team BK Motorsports were prepared for a night of racing in the "world of Outlaws" series at the Thunderbowl, at Tulare, California. The Brian Matherly owned, Kaeding Performance/SCI/BZE backed #19 car had performed well at the previous venue, and Kaeding's confidence level was high.

Bud Kaeding and BK Motorsports recently embarked upon their first race in the 2012 "World of Outlaws" series, at The Thunderbowl, at Tulare, California.

Finishing with the sixteenth quickest lap in the qualifying round, the driver was to line up in the sixth position during his first heat. Very little passing transpired in the field full of drivers during the heat, and in turn the Kaeding finished in the same position where he started at the waving of the green flag, earning him a spot in the middle of the pack during the main.

Beginning in the sixteenth position, Kaeding began slowly and methodically maneuvering his way toward the front of the pack. The driver had worked his way into the top ten by the thirteenth lap, when the first red flag of the night flew. During the next thirteen laps, Kaeding managed to gain yet another spot and was in command of the ninth place position at the waving of a yellow flag.

After the restart, a steering issue demanded that the driver bring his car to a stop when heavy rains began pounding the track. As the field lined back up, the precipitation intensified and the red flag was thrown.

Throughout the commotion, Kaeding had lost his grip on his position but the race was far from over. That in mind, the driver worked his way to the high side, and continued charging forward. Upon crossing the finish line Kaeding had regained possession of the ninth place spot.

Although he would have obviously preferred earning a spot on the podium, Bud Kaeding was positive about the outcome of the main event. "The team had worked hard to get the car perfect," recalled Kaeding. "The race was a lot of fun. It was dry slick, and there was a lot of racing going on during the feature. Those kinds of nights are fun!"

With the 2012 season barely underway, Bud Kaeding and BK Motorsports are looking forward to the future. "We just have to make sure we are in the hunt to win every night," explained the San Jose, California driver. "I am looking forward to the summer months. There are a lot of events on our schedule, and we are excited to get them under our belt." When asked what it would take to deem the season as a success, Kaeding's answer was short and to the point, "Winning races and titles."

An experienced driver, Bud Kaeding is quick to say that his team plays a huge role in his success. "My teams are very important," he explained. "You need chemistry to make it all work."

Kaeding and team BK Motorsports are also aware of the importance of maintaining their vehicles. Maintenance is key," he suggested. "Races are won in the shop. If you're not prepared to win, it is most likely not going to happen."

Of course keeping the internal components of one's engines contaminant free is one of the main objectives if the driver expects his car to properly handle the rigors of racing. That in mind, BK Motorsports depend exclusively upon K&N filters. "We use the hp oil filters and the four inch K&N sprint car air box, Kaeding explained. "They are the most efficient products on the market. Our engine builders love them. If you want to be the best, you have to use the best."

Bud Kaeding and team BK Motorsports have high hopes for the 2012 season, and in turn, have intentions of providing the folks filling the stands with action packed racing. When asked what fans can expect from him and his team in the future, the driver said, "Victories. Racing is a team effort, and for our teams to be successful, it takes a combined effort from drivers, teams, sponsors and fans. Without all of those, none of this would need to be mentioned."

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.

Jeremy McGrath Talks with K&N about Winning and Supercross vs. Pro 2 Racing

Apr 27, 2012

Watch the Interview with Jeremy McGrath of Stronghold Motorsports Video

"Hi, I'm Jeremy McGrath" he says when we meet. In my head I'm thinking - duh - but thankfully I become conscious in time to squeeze out a more fitting, "Pleasure meeting you." After all, the most accomplished Supercross racer in history is even recognized in places where dogsleds are the only means of transportation. During his motocross career McGrath collected an unprecedented seven AMA Supercross Championships, one AMA National Motocross Championship, and a total of 72 career Supercross victories.

Yet, the man that helped to put Supercross on the motorsports menu comes off genuine with his greeting, and for a few minutes I feel like I'm talking racing smack with one of my buds. McGrath looks you square in the eyes when he talks and he has that uncanny knack for making people feel at ease, and as though the time he spends with you matters, even though he's been interviewed 1001 times. McGrath recently made time to film a video with K&N (https://www.knfilters.com/video/JeremyM_2011.htm) in which he discusses his humble beings and his current occupation as Stronghold Motorsports' Pro-2 Truck Racer in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) in the Pro2 Unlimited class.

Round three and four of the LOORRS series where contested at the completely refurnished Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park this past weekend. I met with McGrath right before he headed out for his five lap practice session on Friday to see if there was anything else he wanted to add regarding winning, and not winning, and what he felt were the biggest differences between Supercross and Pro 2 racing.

Is there one question you've wanted to answer that you've never been asked?

"It's been what, like 20 years with the motorcycles and now the trucks, so it seems pretty obvious, to me anyway, that people know me. I mean, I wrote my own autobiography, and so people just know everything about me. I'm pretty much an open book. So I guess the answer is no."

At the top level of motorsports everyone has talent, so it comes down to what's in your head, what do you feel separates you from the other racers when it's winning time?

Stronghold Motorsports' Pro-2 Truck Racer Jeremy McGrath

"I think for one I just believe it should be me and nobody else, you know? I had great family support and we're really close and that always helps. And, I think as far as me winning and why nobody else, I think it's because it's a part of my nature to be a bit of a showoff. Like I'm really mellow and reserved when it comes to daily things, but when I get on my bike, that's my voice, you know what I mean? My voice was my bike and now it's my truck. So when it's time for the big show, for me, that's when it's time to shine."

With motocross being one of the most physically demanding sports, how would you compare the exertion level to driving your truck?

"Physically, naw, I mean I still ride dirt bikes all the time, I still test for Honda, so I know it's nothing like that. Your hot in there, trust me your hot, especially in these suits and helmets and the engine right up next to ya. You're super hot, but as far as super demanding, it's different. I mean you're just strapped in and there are things you do on a dirt bike that are so different from what you do in a truck."

The power-to-weight ratio must feel pretty close to some degree?

"Yeah, it is pretty similar, but you don't get the chance to use your body like you do on a bike. The toughest part for me was learning how to drive the truck, I mean, I already know how to race, that part is easy out there. I mean as long as no one hits you."

"This sport is high contact, but when you get hit it doesn't hurt like with bikes, which is kinda nice. So there is that element of comfort knowing that you're probably not going to break your leg or something, but one thing I found is that it's very hard here to do the things I did in Supercross. They have a competition yellow in the middle of the race. I mean they want this thing tight, it's just like NASCAR, as far as tightness. They don't want someone pulling away and winning all the time. And the way they do the start, they do the qualifying, you qualify, right, and then they do an inverse, so the fastest guy doesn't always start on the line. So that makes for a damn good race all the time. The fastest guy doesn't win all the time, in fact, rarely does that happen."

I don't think people understand just how much bumping goes on during the races, how does that work, is there an acceptable level of bumping?

Jeremy McGrath's Pro2 Unlimited Truck in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS)

"Yeah, sometimes you come back with no parts, no body panels, your truck is just demolished. I mean some guys just have no etiquette, they're just rude out there, and some guys are cool. And you can rough guys up, as long as you don't keep on them, and spin'em out. As long as you don't hit behind the door, if you hit door-to-door it's all good, but you cannot pit-maneuver anyone or you get a black-flag. But it happens and they don't always catch it, you know. And unlike any other sport, in this sport if you have money you can race with the best dudes in the world, right. On bikes you have to qualify, you have to be good enough to race."

"Some of these guys are kinda squirrely out here, and they don't have a lot of racing experience, but they have a lot of money, so it becomes tough sometimes you know? And you gotta keep away from these guys."

Here's a generic question, what sort of goals have you set for yourself this year, I imagine a championship is always at the top of the list?

"Yeah, I mean, I'm just getting my truck to the point where I feel I can drive it hard. You know we had a pretty tough first weekend in Arizona. Last year I had some pretty good momentum going at the end of the year, and so I just gotta rebound from that first weekend, and yesterday in practice my truck now feels better than it ever has, so I'm real optimistic about this weekend."

So you're now going out to practice some more, and when is qualifying?

"Yeah, going out for a five-lapper and then at 3:15 we'll be qualifying and that will determine our starting position. My goal is to make the inversion today. In Arizona I was ninth, and I wasn't very happy driving my truck, but yesterday it was so bad-ass, so like I said I'm very optimistic about this weekend. And the goal is to give myself a chance on Saturday. If you don't make the inversion during qualifying today, then you'll have a really bad starting spot, and the chances are slim that you're going to get to the front. So I just gotta do good in qualifying today and it will make tomorrow a lot easier."

Have you given any thought to how many more years you want to do this?

"Phew, you can do this forever, these guys aren't really athletes (laughing)."

So would you say you really have an edge here then?

"Well, yeah, maybe. I'd like to think I have an edge. Maybe when it really gets a little hot out there some of these guys will get exhausted, so I hope I can say I have an edge over that."

I'm thinking you might be right, well that and the fact you've won a lot more than anyone else.

"Yeah, and that's really helped me to grow in this sport, you know? It's been a steep learning curve and I get fired-up because I'm not winning. I mean I want to win - that's what I do. You get accustomed to winning so you kinda expect it."

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K&N Sponsored Kaeli Flaczinski Shows That Girls Can Succeed in Quad-X Racing

Apr 26, 2012

Kaeli first became interested in quads when one of the friends had a 90 that she road on occasions.

Kaeli Flaczinski has been giving the boys a run for their money in the Glen Helen Quad-X Series. Kaeli first became interested in quads when one of the friends had a 90 that she road on occasions. She had liked riding the quad so that Christmas her father bought her a Predator 90. Six months later, around her 12th birthday, she started to race in the Dirt days of Summer Series. At her first race she placed 4th out of 9. Kaeli says she has been hooked ever since then. Eight years later she now competes in both the Quad-X series and the FNL Series.

Kaeli has two 2008 YFZ-450s; one she races and one she practices on. Kaeli says, "Triumph Motorsports helped build my quads. They are both set up with PEP shocks, Quad-tech seats, Lonestar racing axels and a-arms, X-Factor metals, DWT rims, and Gold Speed tires. My race bike has some motor work and a JGK exhaust system while my practice bike I use has a Sparks exhaust and we have kept that motor stock."

When it comes to racing, Kaeli loves the thrill, risk, competition and family that come with racing.

When it comes to racing, Kaeli loves the thrill, risk, competition and family that come with racing. She also says she enjoys how it teaches you lessons about all of the hard work needed to succeed in the sport as well as in life. She dreams to one day make it into the men's Pro Race and finish top five. This dream is part of what motivates her. Quad racing is primarily a men's sport which pushes Kaeli even more to succeed and prove to the world how talented women can be. It is exciting as a fan of the Glen Helen Quad-X Series when Kaeli succeeds. The men she races against often push harder to beat her which adds to the competition of the sport and pushes her even harder to be all she can be. Obviously, the men prefer not to be beaten by Kaeli because there is always a little bit of a busied ego when a female beats a man in a sport such as racing. She says despite the healthy rivalry between her and the men, off the track they are all very good friends. Win or lose, the guys all support and respect her. Many even treat her as one of the guys which she enjoys.

For all the guys out there who may be wondering, Kaeli does have a lucky man in her life. She says he is very supportive of her and her racing career and tries to be at every race he can. "He will help me wash my bikes, do mechanic work with me, and time my laps during practice. I think sometimes he wishes our date wasn't riding at Cahuilla then washing the bikes, or tearing down a motor on Friday night, but he knows how much I love racing and knows that if I'm going to be his girlfriend that's how things are going to be," she says.

Quad racing is primarily a men's sport which pushes Kaeli even more to succeed and prove to the world how talented women can be.

Kaeli's best run this season was her race at Glen Helen where she finished third in the men's 450 production class where she felt she ran really strong. Her best moment this season however would be her race at Pont De Vaux in France with her teammates Adrienne Cooper and Geneviev Sarrazin. Crossing the finish line after twelve hours of racing was a glorious and very memorable moment for her. "The crowds at that race are huge, over 10,000 fans come to watch and when I finished, it was like I was a rockstar. Everyone was taking pictures and high fiving me it was such a great experience. It was one of those moments where you think, 'This is what all that hard work is for,'" she stated.

When it comes to performance Kaeli knows that K&N is the best. The use of K&N products gives her the best performance out of her bike. Kaeli says, "K&N products offer great air flow and give the quad the much needed extra power!" On her quad, she currently uses a K&N air intake system, the filter cleaner and oil, as well as K&N oil filters.

Kaeli has a bright future ahead of her both on the track as well as off the track. She is currently attending school at USC majoring in Astronautical Engineering. She hopes one day she will be privileged enough to work for NASA or Space-X in rocket design all the while moving her racing career forward. Kaeli would like to thank her sponsors: Triumph Motorsports, K&N Air Filters, PEP, Quad-Tech, JGK Racing, X-Factor, Hinson Clutch Components, and my dad, mom, grandpa, brother and sister.

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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