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Andy Forsberg and His A&A Motorsports #92 Crew is Keeping the Track Hot

Jun 28, 2011

Experiencing a practically flawless race, Forsberg earned his second win of 2011 at the Silver Dollar Speedway

On May 20th, Andy Forsberg and the A&A Motorsports #92 crew rolled in to Chico, California, ready to compete in a 410 points race. When the wave if the green flag deemed the race underway, Andy didn't waste any time acquiring the lead. Experiencing a practically flawless race, Forsberg earned his second win of 2011 at the Silver Dollar Speedway, and his third win of the season.

Andy Forsberg #92 gains his third win of the season.

On the following night, he and the F&F X1 team went to Placerville, California, where Andy finished 3rd in his heat race, and lined up on the outside second row for the A-Main Event. The driver fought his way to the lead in the 10th lap, a position he would hold until lap 15, when he hit the cushion a little hard causing a few difficulties and ultimately costing him the lead. By the race's end, Forsberg had managed to take the 10th spot.

As the end of May and first of June closed in, Andy Continued his rigorous schedule, racing on the 27th and was rained out on 28th. On Sunday May 29th, Andy and the F&F X1 Team rapped up the month when they took their fourth win of the this season at the California Civil War Series, at Chico.

Bailing off into June, Andy and the Forsberg # 92 Team raced at Watsonville California on June 3rd at the Taco Bravo race, and Andy and the F&F X1 made the drive to Placerville, California to compete in a regular 360 point race on the following night.

On the weekend of June 17, Andy continued to experience success. On Friday night, the driver finished the race in the 7th position, with which he was pleased. On the following night, Andy and the F&F X1 rolled in to Quincy California for the 360 Civil War Race. When the dust settled, Forsberg had pretty well dominated the competition and had logged his third Civil War victory in 2011, and his fifth win of the season.

With four wins under his belt throughout the month of May, Andy Forsberg entered June with confidence, "All three teams that I have raced for have been pretty competitive this year," shared the driver. "We know if the cars are right, we'll be a factor. When asked what he accredited to a successful May, Andy said, "We just had our ducks in a row. The F&F X1 Team that I run for, they're a top notch crew. They put a really good car on the track. They've got a good fuel guy, they've got a good setup guy, and they've got me in the car." Referring to the A&A Car that he drives in Chico on Friday nights, Andy continued, We seem to be having things going our way right now.It's been a really solid season, and it's been one of those years so far when everything just seems to be going right."

When asked the key to success, Andy was quick to mention starting positions. "There are some drivers who if you start behind them, you're probably not going to catch them. I feel the same about myself. If you put me on the front row, even though I've got a couple of guys behind me who I'm concerned about, if I do my job, I'm not too concerned that they're going to get by me. The same goes for them. Put them on the front row, and I'm probably not going to get by them. We just have to keep on keeping on. What we've been doing has been working so we just need to stay on course."

Andy Forsberg and his Teams try to avoid traveling too far from home, and race predominantly in northern California, within in the neighborhood of four hours of their homes. According to Andy, his favorite track is Placerville. "It's a pretty small track and is a high-bank track compared to the other ones around here," he explained.

When asked about the performance of the car's he been driving this season, Andy said, "everything has been going real good. We use K&N air filters, oil filters and the cleaning solutions. My dad drove since 1968, and I'm a second generation driver," he continued. "The technology has chanced a little bit with filters, but if you look back at my dad's cars, it was always K&N air filters on there." I would like to thank our sponsors and fans," shared Andy. "I appreciate everything they do. My crew and my sponsors are also my friends and family. Without them none of this would be possible. We're all in this thing together."

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.

Josh McGuire Starts the Late Model Season Off With a Bang at Portsmouth Raceway Park

Jun 28, 2011

During the A-Main, Josh McGuire took the lead in the sixteenth, and continued to lead the pack throughout the remainder of the 35 lap race.

The Josh McGuire Racing Team started the 2011 season off with a bang on June 11, at Portsmouth Raceway Park, at Portsmouth Kentucky. Laying down the second quickest lap during the qualifying race on that particular Saturday night, Josh then finished the dash in fourth place. During the A-Main, the driver took the lead in the sixteenth, and continued to lead the pack throughout the remainder of the 35 lap race.

Josh McGuire Layed down the second quickest lap during the qualifying race and then finished the dash in fourth place.

As one might suspect, after finishing second during the qualifying session, and 4th in the dash, Josh's confidence level was up prior to the beginning of the A-Main. "My confidence level was high," explained the driver. "Portsmouth Raceway Park is our favorite track. It is about an hour from our garage and is considered as our hometown track. The track is well maintained, very family friendly, and always puts on a good show."

When asked the key to holding the lead, he said, "Smooth, consistent laps helped. The track had been under water most of the year due to all the heavy rains on our area this spring, so there were some holes to dodge.

Being on the lead really helped us miss the holes and gain ground on the others. The track (personnel) did a good job working the track throughout the night, trying to keep everyone safe and prevent a lot of equipment from being torn up."

Josh McGuire plans are to compete in 45 to sixty races during the 2011 season.

Although Josh managed to hold on to the lead after pulling in front, according to the driver, the race was by no means a runaway. "In the final laps, the second place car of RJ Conely was really closing in on me," shared McGuire. "We were able to hold on to the win by a couple of car lengths. The first win of the season is always the momentum building block we hope to step on and ride out the rest of the season," Josh explained. "It felt great."

When asked the key to continuing their success throughout the remainder of the season, Josh stated, "We must maintain our equipment at a top-notch level, which is easily done using K&N quality products, such as their air filters, pre-chargers and oil filters." Referring to K&N products, he continued, "They are the best. We've tried other filters throughout our years of racing, and none have given us the engine durability and reliability like K&N. Weekly maintenance in dirt track racing is so important to finishing races and making sure your season ends on a high note. We must control the amount of dirt and sand that enters the engine, so we can extend the engine's life. And that is just what K&N Filters allows us to do" According to Josh McGuire, another important key to his success is his team.

Josh McGuire plans are to compete in 45 to sixty races during the 2011 season, which will come to an end in mid November. Although they have experienced their share of rainouts during the early part of the season, the driver anticipates less rainy days throughout the summer and fall months and is looking forward to competing on the races scheduled in the months to come.

The race car driver of ten years looks most forward to lining up against his fellow competitors on smooth and racy tracks, but is also acutely aware that the conditions on dirt tracks change as consistently as the wind. That said, he stressed the importance of learning to adjust regardless of track conditions.

When asked his thoughts about his fans and sponsors, Josh was quick to praise them. "We are so very grateful that we are able to do this for a profession," he stated. "Without race fans, none of us would be able to do this." In conclusion, Josh McGuire said, "Thank you."

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.

K&N's Brody Roa Wins First Ever Ventura Racing Association Feature

Jun 28, 2011

Roa says he's learned a lot about being patient from racing his rookie season at Ventura Raceway.
Photo by: Mallory Roa.

You have to be immediately drawn to a young racer that thanks his Grandma and Grandpa Roa for their support throughout his racing career. Brody Roa, the Buena Park, California driver says, "Without their love and support, none of this would be possible."

In 2010 the K&N sponsored racer was crowned the 2010 VRA Rookie of the Year.
Photo by: Mallory Roa.

And for Roa the sky seems to be the limit. Last season the K&N sponsored racer was crowned the 2010 VRA Rookie of the Year, and at a recent Ventura, California Seaside park event hosted by the Ventura Racing Association, Roa validated that title by earning his first ever VRA feature win.

Driving the BR Performance No. 91R car, Roa started fourteenth in the feature. After a few close calls, and with ten laps to remaining, Roa worked himself into third place, and was closing hard on the leaders. Then, with only six laps to go, Roa took the lead after the race leader experienced a mechanical failure.

Despite being challenged by hometown favorite, Cory Kruseman, Roa was able to hold on for the well deserved victory. To date Roa now has two top-10 finishes, led seven main event laps, and is currently fifteenth in the point chase.

The young Sprint Car racer came from a fourteenth starting position to earn his first ever VRA feature victory. Photo by: Mallory Roa.

"I just stayed patient and avoided all of the crashes that were happening on the fence. I kept looking forward and got around them. Somehow I got up there," Roa told K&N Race News. "To get my first win at Ventura Raceway was great. And to come from fourteenth, passing a lot of great race cars with many main event winners in front of me, made it even that more special."

If there was a Sprint Car wheelie contest Roa would excel at that as well. Photo by: Mallory Roa.

"Running my rookie season the full year at Ventura, I learned a lot about patience, especially at the narrow bullring at Ventura Raceway, and that helped lead to this victory. I picked up a few positions by just being patient, and avoiding contact in front of me and just trying to put myself in the right position at all times."

The BR Performance Racing team is family owned and operated by, Brett, his dad who turns the wrenches at the track. Grandpa Roa is at every race too, with his bucket, keeping the car spotless. "My sister, Mallory, takes the great photos for my website," adds Road.

"The year had a rough start for the first few races with us trying to work on the setup," adds Roa. "Then, on the night we won, everything came together perfectly for us. Ever since, we have been running up front and bringing in good results."

Roa explains that one of his goals for the 2011 season was to travel to every track possible, and to accumulate as much varied track experience he could, regarding how to adapt to all conditions and driving styles imaginable.

"So far we have been to Ventura Raceway, Victorville Raceway, Perris Auto Speedway and Kings Speedway," said Roa. "Another goal was to run with the 410 Sprint Cars, and even running with our 360 we have had some great races, finishing as high as sixth, which we are very pleased about."

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.

European K&N Sponsored Drift Racer Lars Verbraeken Ready to Reclaim 2011 Season

Jun 28, 2011

When speaking about his BMW e30 Verbraeken says, old love never dies, as his competition car started out as his road car over ten years ago.

Long before the drift racing got its professional start here in the U.S., somewhere around 2003 or 2004, depending on who you ask, it was already smoking hot in Japan, the country of origin. It continues to be one of the fastest growing motorsports, and as rapidly as its popularity grows in America, so too, is it blowing up in Europe.

The Netherlands Lars Verbraeken got his start drifting in 2007, without any previous experience in any other forms of racing, and he immediately proved he was a natural. The sport was still in its infancy back then, and in Verbraeken's first ever drift competition, he qualified a very impressive third.

K&N sponsored European drift racer Lars Verbraeken believes his cars woes of last season are now behind him, and he is full-throttle into the 2011 season.

In the following 2008 season his string of successful race results continued to pile up, so much so that in the winter of 2008/2009 he was asked by, Remmo Niezen, from the Falken Drifteam Europe to join their team. Then, with the support of his new team, Verbraeken participated in the German IDS competition. And after a season filled with only firsts, seconds or thirds, and only two years after his first race, Verbraeken became the 2009 Driftmaster.

Last season, hoping to defend his title, Verbraeken switched from his trusty 300hp BMW V8, to a Toyota 1JZ, with more than 450hp, but unfortunately it was not at once a winning combination for the talented K&N sponsored driver.

"I built a new Toyota 1JZ - GTE engine in my (BMW) e30 in the winter of 2010, and during the season were many problems, mostly with the driveline," Verbraeken told K&N Race News. The cause of the problems was that I didn't manage to fine tune the car. Now it looks like everything is solved, and I have already had lots of diving time to get used to the car. The car has lots of grip because of the placement of the engine (30cm trough bulkhead) and the placement of the radiator, and with the gas tank in the trunk."

With his car troubles behind him Verbraeken says"There's hope again for another good season and a chance to win more competitions. Having K&N backing me as a new sponsor adds even more confidence."

The plan is to attend as many big drift events as possible, such as Sport Auto Drift Challenge held during the Tuner Grand Prix, then the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, and the Truck Grand Prix. The Falken Drifteam also performs many drift shows during many of the biggest European races and tuning events.

"I'm really happy with my car, I have owned it for more than ten years, it used to be my street car," Verbraeken adds."So old love never dies. And I think the car is getting even more attention now with K&N's big name on it."

This season Verbraeken has also added some more Gymkhana (jim-kah-nuh) drifting events to his repertoire. It's a form of drifting that takes place on an open field, or parking lot, and requires drivers to negotiate around a series of cones, slaloms, 180 and 360 degree turns, figure eights and any number of other obstacles, using extreme acceleration, braking and of course, drifting.

"It's really new for me," Verbraeken says,"but it's a great sport for the spectators and there are lots of them! In my last event, which was the Tuner Grand Prix Drift Challenge, there were about 25,000 spectators." Verbraeken qualified second in that event and finished fifth out of 75 competitors.

Next up on the calendar for Verbraeken is a drift-demo during the 24 hour race at the Nürburgring."When people are a bit tired of straight line racing they can come over to a little track next the nordschleife and see us drifting. I think it will be a big success."

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.

Joey Logano Wins the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Race at Infineon Raceway

Jun 28, 2011

Joey Logano celebrates his victory in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at Infineon Raceway

A pair of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers stole the show in the K&N Pro Series West race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma on Saturday.

Joey Logano, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Cup series, won the Thunder Valley Casino Resort 200. David Gilliand, a driver for Front Row Motorsports in Cup, was second.

Joey Logano won the Thunder Valley Casino Resort 200 at Infineon Raceway

"Racing against David there at the end was a lot of fun," Logano said. "We had the car to do it for sure. We did everything we were supposed to do."

Logano, the 2009 K&N Pro Series East champion, won the second West Series race of his career. He won in his West Series debut at Phoenix International Raceway in 2007.

Logano said working with Max Papis and Cup series teammate Kyle Busch helped him win the West Series race at the road course at Infineon Raceway.

"We built a two-seater car. Me, Kyle and Max went to Road Atlanta together and basically just played around in the thing," Logano said. "(Papis) ran a few laps, I'd ride with him, ride with everybody, see what everybody's doing and try to learn from each other." One of the things Logano learned was how to navigate his car around the track.

"Biggest thing was braking. At the beginning of this race, I got used to braking with my Cup car," Logano said. "Where my marks were with that is quite a bit backed up compared to where these are. These cars are lighter and got less motor, not going as fast. It took a few laps to get back to where I was when we were practicing here the other day. Everyone did good today and Max definitely helped out a lot."

Pit strategy played a big role in Logano's win as well. Logano took four tires on his second pit stop when several drivers, including Gilliland, decided to take only fuel. Logano had to race his way through the field, banging and bumping his way back to the front.

"The part that I was worried about was when I knocked my fenders in," Logano said. "I felt like I was quite a bit slower. I definitely wasn't wide open in the spots that I was before. In the high speed stuff, I was a little nervous about it."

Logano caught and passed Gilliland for the lead on lap 56 of the 64-lap race. Logano held the lead for the remainder of the race, including a two-lap dash to the finish after a caution.

"We had a good day. It's a long race," Gilliland said. "You know there's going to be a lot of cautions out here. Basically there wasn't a scratch on our car. We just tried to keep the fenders on it. Our plan was to go the whole distance on tires and just stop for fuel and that's what we did. I had a good lead and there were some cautions there at the end."

Logano startred on the front row with pole winner Brandon Davis and led a race-high 28 laps. He was out front for the first 19 laps before giving way Gilliland. Jim Inglebright, Todd Souza and Paulie Harraka took turns leading the race during pit stops. When the drivers filtered through pit road, Gilliland had the lead and held it for 22 laps.

"My car actually needed about three laps to really get going, for the tire pressures to come up," said Gilliland, who won the K&N Pro Series West race at Sonoma in 2009. "Just came up a little bit short. Joey came in and got tires. That was an advantage there at the end. I love the West Series. It was a lot of fun.

Eric Holmes was third and was the highest-finishing driver who races regularly on the K&N Pro Series West.

"We lost a few spots at the beginning of the race. Used our pit strategy and got some of them back," Holmes said. "The 17 car (David Mayhew) got into me. The 17 got into me and hooked my car. We lost like eight, 10 spots there and we had to work our way back up. The last lap was a little more exciting than I wanted it to be. I got bounced around enough. That was good enough for me today."

Holmes moved up to third place in the K&N Pro Series West standings, but is still 258 points behind Greg Pursley, the West Series leader.

"Not enough. We've just had a rough year," said Holmes, a driver for Bill McAnally Racing. "Good to finally just get a good finish. We came here to win and hoping Pursley would have a bad day. That would have been good for us. Didn't come out with a win, but behind Logano and Gilliland here, that was the best as far as the series regulars."

Pursley was fourth, followed by Brian Wong in fifth. Pursley padded his lead in the West Series standings to 215 points over Moses Smith, who finished seventh at Infineon Raceway.

The Thunder Valley Casino Resort 200 will be broadcast on Speed at July 14 at 6 p.m. ET.

The next K&N Pro Series West race is at Toyota Speedway at Irwndale on Saturday.

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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