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Rob Curtis Racing Becomes K&N Backed Winner's Circle Motorsports

Apr 1, 2011

Then newly formed Winner's Circle Motorsports, LLC, plans on traveling and racing more in 2011 than they have in past years. Photo Jim Balentine.

We said it before and it really can't be overstated, grassroots, family racing is the foundation of all racing. It's accessible and every bit as significant to rural America as so many other inaccessible pastimes. It binds families from one generation to another. It's so often the farm league that feeds into other levels of racing. And it allows someone like Rob Curtis from Greenville, Pennsylvania, to live and pursue his dreams. On the Rob Curtis Racing website, soon to become the Winner's Circle Motorsports site, it succinctly says "It takes a group of dedicated friends and family to make any race team a complete success."

Driver and team owner Rob Curtis says that winning the 2009 Sharon Speedway Modified title is definitely the high point of his race career thus far.

Rob Curtis' first racecar was a 1988 Troyer. He's competed in both the West Penn Modifieds and the Big Block Modifieds. His favorite track is Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio.

"Our team captured the 2009 Sharon Speedway Modified Title, and that is definitely the high point thus far," said Marcie Barlow, wearing her Media Relations hat. Marcie is also one of the Winner's Circle Motorsports team owners, along with Larry Riffe and Rob Curtis.

"We have two Troyer Chassis'. One is powered by an HRE Big Block and the second is a Small Block Modified," continued Barlow. "In 2011 we have decided to begin the racing season with the Small Block car and we will be competing at Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer, Pennsylvania, beginning Saturday, April 16th."

"In addition, we are hoping to compete at the two Modified Specials to be held at the Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pennsylvania. The first will be held on Sunday, May 29th and the second is scheduled for August 12th."

The team's other goals for 2011 include a little more traveling than they have in the past. "Our driver, Rob Curtis, began his racing career at Mercer Raceway Park (Mercer, Pennsylvania)," explains Barlow, "And with the changes in the management that took place at the facility in 2010, we are looking forward to returning to Small Block competition there."

The new owner Bob Altman, has implemented several improvements at the facility and team Winner's Circle Motorsports, LLC, is looking forward to making MRP their Saturday night home in 2011. In addition the team is looking to compete in their first Race of Champions event July 21st at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania.

"We are looking forward to a successful 2011 racing season and greatly appreciate the assistance K&N Performance has provided our team the past several years," remarked Barlow. "Bob Harris and the entire staff of K&N are always friendly and looking to provide as much assistance 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.

Shea Holbrook Thinks Outside-the-Racecar to Get it Done at St. Petersburg

Mar 31, 2011

Shea Racing's No.67 Honda Civic Si, K&N Filters, Lucas Oil car is expected to be back running in time for the Grand Prix of Long Beach. Photo by Kamran Malik.

It came in mighty handy for Shea Holbrook to have her karmic pool filled to the brim last weekend at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Florida. Shea, now in her second season of professional racing with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing World Challenge Series, redefined what it means to have fan support. For years now Shea has used her high visibility racing profile to tirelessly support charitable causes close to her heart, such as the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. So, when she needed a little help from her friends and fans, it flowed back to her in an overwhelming fashion.

Shea Holbrook's biggest fans, the Gilbert girls, Erica, Lacie, Alyee and Rhea.

In race one Shea had a terrific start, moving from thirteenth to eleventh by the first turn. Then a few laps later she made another great move in turn one, passing two cars and rolling into seventh place. That same lap though she got caught up in a wreck, a big wreck, which ended her race. Way too much front damage to her car, it looked as though there was no way she would be getting back on the track.

"I thought of something really out of left field, and completely out of my character," said Shea. "I hustled walking the paddock, making phone calls, and posting on Facebook and Twitter asking for help! Still, at this point we were not racing. Phone calls were taking too long and things all of a sudden became very complicated. Nick Chorley, a Shea Racing crew member and I were walking the paddock thinking, and the idea of fan support all of a sudden dawned on me. I figured, this is my home race, and we have some of the best Shea Racing fans here in St. Petersburg."

Shea was passing cars in bunches and running in seventh place in the first race at St. Pete before a wreck ended her race. Photo by Michael Ball.

Shea and her team owner dad, Jeff, came up with the idea of running with the Compass 360 Racing team because they knew they had a spare car, but not just any racecar, a Honda Civic Si, much like the one she was accustomed to driving. With that she could be in a position to finish in the top-ten and in the points.

"I was confident in my driving ability and also the cars. Thinking out-of-the-racecar really came about when we needed to find funds to actually get into this car," remarked Shea.

To get back on the race track Shea needed funding to continue in round two of the Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Starting the season off without earning any points just wasn't an option for her.

"Last year I met wonderful fans that continue to follow and support our racing and charity efforts. One family in particular stood out, the Gilberts. I remember meeting all four Gilbert girls vividly. There they were again this year, just like they told me they would be. We exchanged hugs and I checked in with them after every session. They're down-home, good people. When the idea of fan support came about I immediately thought of the Gilbert Girls. I found Mr. Gilbert and nervously asked a question no driver wants to ask, and it went a little something like this… 'I have the opportunity to get back into the seat, but I do not have the funding to do so, so I'm turning to fans for help to have the race of my life. Can you help?'"

"Mr. Gilbert smiled and gave me a hug and said, 'Can you put Gilbert Girls on the side of the car?' And so we went racing. It just so happens that one of our partners is a graphics company. I called up VisionX Graphics and they had someone in the shop making a vinyl immediately."

"Both races were unbelievable," continued Shea. "We had great launches at the start of both races and were able to gain positions. The most important thing to remember when racing on streets courses is, hit your marks, and race intelligently. We had great communication over the radio and stoppers were very beneficial."

"I'm not going to lie, all I was thinking about in race two was bringing that car back in one piece. I couldn't believe how comfortable I felt in a car I'd never raced. Once I took her around one lap I felt at home again. So yes, I felt a lot of pressure to bring that car back untouched. But our new No. 67 Honda Civic Si, K&N Filters, Lucas Oil, MYPLUGGZ.com and now Gilbert Girls was rockin' and nothing was stopping us!"

Shea started the second race in sixteenth and worked her way into an eighth place finish. Currently she's preparing herself for a run at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 15-17, which rocks through the streets of Long Beach, California.

"Oh yes, our thought process has changed for Long Beach," said Shea. "There's a chance we'll get our Honda back on track, but we're preparing and speaking with a few Honda teams as well. We're excited about Long Beach and ready for podium finishes powered by K&N filters and Lucas Oil!"

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.

Max'd Out Racing's Rob Coddens Wins NHRDA Season Opener in Phoenix

Mar 30, 2011

In winning Coddens broke his own NHRDA Super Street MPH record.

The National Hot Rod Diesel Association (NHRDA) staged their first diesel drag race of 2011 at Phoenix, Arizona's Speedworld Dragstrip. "I brought my Super Street race truck down for the event," said Eagle, Idaho's Rob Coddens, "And feeling good about my set-up, I also entered the lighter weight, more advanced Pro Street class."

Rob Coddens won the season opener at Phoenix's Speedworld Dragstrip, in Super Street and Pro Street classes

The K&N backed racer's good feelings about his set-up were spot on, as he ended up winning both classes and breaking the NHRDA Super Street MPH record, a record he previously held. Coddens' new record now stands at 140.67 mph.

"The great thing about a diesel is the abuse it can take," commented Coddens. "I'm able to win an elimination round in one class running nine seconds at 140 mph, and then drive the truck around right into the lanes and into the staging beams for the next classes round within minutes."

Diesel magazines, Diesel Power and Diesel World recently did a photo shot and write-up on Coddens' impressive truck.

Coddens says that breaking the record was not high on his list of priorities, but that winning is everything.

"I'm able to dial the power levels up and down as needed to advance rounds and not abuse the equipment too much. The hardest thing I've learned over the years of racing is to race with your head and not your ego. Yes it's cool to click off record breaking passes, but I'd rather drive it into the winners circle then go fast once and go onto the trailer early because of parts failure."

That's the sort of wisdom that comes from racing nearly everything with wheels for the past 30 years. Coddens started as a kid racing mini-bikes, then moved to street/strip cars, he road raced motorcycles for a few years, and then moved back onto the dragstrip with motorcycles.

"Family life and work stopped the motorcycle thing, and money was tight so a dedicated racecar was not in the cards. I had a diesel work truck in the driveway, and being a racer at heart, and having a great drag strip (Firebird) 15 minutes from the house, off I went to the track."

After a spending year or so modifying his truck, Coddens created an 11-second work truck.

"I could tow heavy trailers, plow snow, go off-roading, and then on the weekends air down the tires, put it in 4x4, and whip up on Corvettes and Vipers on the race track," explains Coddens. "One thing led to another and along with a couple friends, we decided to see what we could accomplish, so we built a 6000 pound 4x4 drag race truck."

Coddens has now been drag racing diesels for seven years, mostly with street trucks running in the NHRA Sportsman or Pro Classes, and he's had some success with local wins in those classes. In 2009 he campaigned his first true race truck with the NHRDA. In his very first weekend of racing in the NHRDA Coddens shattered the ET and MPH record in the Super Street class and he has been the dual record holder for three years now.

Discussing how he came around to K&N Coddens says, "With the oiling needs on a 1200+HP diesel engine, we have had to run modified oil pumps. In the past we have had a problem keeping oil filters from blowing the seal and dumping 10 quarts of oil in a matter of seconds. This was not only very messy, but potentially dangerous. Since switching to K&N oil filters, the problem has gone away. The nut on the end also helps when changing, as I tend to get a little heavy handed during installs. It's the little nagging things that can screw up a race day. With the filter problem handled, I don't have that nagging doubt every time I strap in and fire the truck."

Coddens' goals for the 2011 season are to always be totally prepared for each event, to find the weak parts on his truck and strengthen them, and to never lose a race because of a mental mistake. Then he adds, "I also want to win the NHRDA World Finals in Kansas.

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.

Sal Biondo Victorious in Comp Eliminator; Makes It a Family Double at NHRA GatorNationals

Mar 30, 2011

Maspeth, New York native Sal Biondo got an early start on his 2011 season when he and the Vinny Barone crew headed west for the NHRA opener at Pomona. It was at the WinterNationals where Biondo debuted the team's new 2007 Chevy Cavalier in the I/AA Comp Eliminator class.

Competition Eliminator I/AA Cavalier driven by Sal Biondo

While things didn't go as well as they would have liked at the first race of the year, fast forward two weeks and 2,400 miles to Gainesville, Florida and the NHRA GatorNationals.

Sal Biondo has been competing on and off in Comp Eliminator since 1995 and certainly knows the ins and outs of playing the class rules to his advantage and not costing himself or his team any permanent CIC (Competition Index Control) for the season.

That can become very challenging for other racers who aren't as seasoned as Biondo, especially at an event such as Gainesville, where the weather on Thursday and Friday was nearing "mineshaft" conditions. By Saturday and Sunday, the weather had warmed up and that actually helped the racers.

"That took the pressure off of us," noted Biondo of the weather changes. "We were no longer in the big-time index wrecking position. By later in the weekend, we could only hurt ourselves a little bit and it took a little pressure off the driver."

Biondo whittled his way through his side of the ladder, giving himself the starting line advantage in each and every round through the quarter-finals where he earned a precious bye into the Comp Eliminator final.

What makes Comp Eliminator such a difficult and interesting class are the number games these drivers have to deal with. The class is much like bracket racing in many ways, but with a very different twist where drivers can hurt themselves in rounds to come by taking too much stripe and damage their index, which can really play into the hands of their next round opponent, as it did for Biondo in round three against Van Puckett.

"Third round was pretty big for me as I had an opponent who was pretty fast so he lost a lot of his index already. He had lost fourteen hundredths, that's a pretty good feeling to already have fourteen to work with against the guy," explained Biondo. "He is a friend of mine and I knew when I passed him by a car and a half at halftrack that he would probably lift and shut off. And he even told me, 'Hey there's no reason for me to run you to the end and hurt you [CIC] for the next round.' So it was really a big favor he did for me by shutting his car off after I passed him and trusting him and knowing him, I was able to kill enough ET."

"So that round and the bye into the final were both very crucial for me," he continued. "Because without those rounds and to run Frank Aragona Jr. in the final, if I would have been down any kind of index, I would have been in trouble."

Aragona Jr. wasn't able to stay "clean" through the event as Biondo had, with respect to their individual class indexes, and had to carry a two-hundredths CIC into their final round match up.

"In the final it was a little warmer and the car was running a little slower than we thought, but I didn't know that. I figured I was still running a sixty-eight on the run, which would have been permanently damaging to the index," he pointed out. "So I scrubbed as much as I could up to four-hundredths and took two-thousandths win light."

"It's neat to have somebody really close on the tree [index or dial-in]," he continued. "But Frank had lost two-hundredths of his index. So I really was hoping and praying I could be twenty [on the tree] and that might shut the door on him. I was twenty but I didn't expect him to be double-oh, which he was. And he was pretty close to out running us. He claims he was on a bad run and I was on a pretty good run, like I said I had killed some which I didn't really need to, but being in the car and not knowing and trying to protect the index for the rest, well actually the whole entire season. It was important to save it that round."

While Sal was blasting though the Comp Eliminator rounds, his brother Peter was doing the same in Super Stock.

"When Peter won his final first, that was added pressure," confessed Sal. "I know we've done it before, but here I am saying, 'well, we can do it again'. Today we could be in the winner's circle together again and how special that would be. Plus, I was pulling for the K&N car of Dan Fletcher in the Stock final, he's a good friend of mine, too. Gotta pull for all the K&N team cars."

"So Fletcher lost, then Peter won then a good friend of ours Tom Dauber won and then I had won," he said. "The amazing part about it, if you think about it, is that we took home three trophies [Wallys] a thousand miles from home. We all live eleven miles from each other."

The Comp Eliminator victory at the GatorNationals was the ninth NHRA National Event win for Sal and the fourth time that he and his brother Peter shared the winner's circle with a family double.

"It was just fantastic," he said. "And to do so in this Cavalier in only its second event out is an absolute tribute to all the people and products that are a part of this team. We have worked with companies like K&N for a very long time and their people and whole line of products are really second-to-none. You don't have a chance to win races of this caliber without using the best products you can get. That's why this and every car I compete in is protected by K&N filters."

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.

Kody Swanson Earns First Career USAC Dirt Midget Victory at John Padjen Classic

Mar 30, 2011

TK Motorsports is proud of the season opening win in Chico, for themselves and K&N.

Spring is here and with that comes certain guarantees - the flowers will bloom, the boys of summer will be returning, and TK Motorsports' Swanson brothers will be winning. The 2011 USAC Western Midget season started with the John Padjen Classic at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California, and a field of 21 chomping-at-the-bit midgets showed up at the quarter-mile dirt bullring eager to cut loose. And, as sure as the swallows return to Capistrano, the Swanson brothers were in the fray, with Kody picking up his first ever career USAC Dirt Midget win by less than a foot. Tanner Swanson continued his strong run from last season as he finished with a solid fifth place effort.

Kody and Tanner Swanson are looking to make 2011 another year of victories and firsts.

"When I saw him (Bryan Clauson) look low into turn three, I knew that he would have to hit some ruts on his way off of turn four, and get tight, so my only chance to win would be to turn back underneath him and race to the line," detailed Kody.

Clauson continued to close on Kody into the last lap, making his final attempt at the lead on turn four, as the two came down the front-stretch together to a photo-finish.

Kody notched his first USAC Dirt Midget victory with a dramatic photo-finish.

"It was a terrible feeling, we had done so well in the early parts of the race, but I had got myself caught up on a few lapped cars and let him back into the race," said Kody about watching Clauson waving his arms believing he had won.

"He's tough enough to beat, let alone give him a second chance, and I thought I'd let one get away. When he got out and on top of his car, I thought he'd won. So when they called me, it was a big rush of emotion, changing from complete disappointment to surprise, and then excitement. It was great to have held on to that one, but it was way too close for comfort."

Unusually heavy California rain made for a very wet and rough feature event at Silver Dollar Speedway, "I was fortunate to come from eighth to the lead in just a matter of six laps, but there were a number of close calls along the way," remarked Kody.

"With the track in that kind of condition, everyone was doing their best to hold one, but no one really knew exactly what their car was going to do. I'd say that I got lucky to get through to the front easily, and then got caught up with the lapped cars, whereas Bryan seemed to get caught up in getting to the front, but flew through the lapped traffic. It was a tough and tricky 30-laps."

As usual both Kody and Tanner had a busy off-season working on putting together sponsorships for their team. They also spent time organizing their annual TK Motorsports Banquet, something they do every year in appreciation of their crew members and sponsors. When they weren't doing that, they were spending hours in the garage preparing their pavement Sprint Cars and Dirt Midgets.

"As far as preparing for our driving duties, we are still underway, and continue to get in better shape with the bulk of the season fast approaching," commented the K&N sponsored driver.

We wondered if during the off-season they also discussed game plans and goals for the coming season, or if it was simply a one race at a time strategy for them?

"I'd say I look at both," answered Kody. "I ran third in USAC Silver Crown points last year, despite having the highest number of top-two and top-five finishes, and this year, I would love to win the title and give Team 6R Racing the first championship of their storied history."

"I am very excited about the Wilke-PAK car this season in the National Midgets, and would love to be able to win the National Midget title. Both of those would be very tough to pull off, but I feel like if you don't aim for it, you'll never win it by accident. And then obviously the other side of the coin is that I always want to win the next race, which currently would be the USAC Pavement Sprint Car race at Anderson, Indiana with my TK Motorsports number 75."

Another first for Kody this year is being asked to compete in the prestige's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

"I received an email from Les Unger, from Toyota Motorsports, asking of my interest in competing in the event. I am really excited to be able to compete in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race for a number of reasons. Not only is it for a great cause (Racing for Kids), but it provides me a great opportunity to showcase what the USAC and I have to offer in terms of driving. It is a great opportunity to learn to compete on a road course, and I really feel like this legitimizes what I am doing as a racecar driver in the United States Auto Club. I feel really fortunate to have this opportunity, and I am excited to try to make the most of it."

Kody and Tanner Swanson's next race will be in the 100-lap Glen Niebel Classic at Anderson Speedway in Indiana.

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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