The store will not work correctly when cookies are disabled.
We use cookies to make your experience better.To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Learn more.
Lamb says his new Racetech Race Cars dragster is one of the most consistent race cars he has ever owned or raced.
"What a great way to start the season," declared 23-year-old Justin Lamb after branding his mark on 2011 in his very first race. The K&N sponsored driver took a double victory at the NHRA Division 7 National Open at his home track, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. But that was so eight days ago, as Lamb followed that up with another win in the Competition Eliminator Category at the Lucas Oil Division 7 race in Chandler, Arizona. Let's count together shall we, that's his third Wally in three different classes in three different race cars. He also qualified number one with his updated Madcap engine.
The 2010 Cobra Jet Ford Mustang was a winner for Justin Lamb in his very first race of the season.
"We've worked real hard all winter to make all of these cars fast and competitive. It's nice to see it begin to pay dividends so quickly," remarked Lamb. Just like any off season we rebuilt all of the Lamb Motor Sports from front to rear. We rebuild all of the engines and update all of their components, as well as rebuild all of the working parts of the race cars."
This is a key aspect to their racing program explained Lamb, as it helps to prevent superfluous mechanical failures at the drag race, especially during pivotal races.
The K&N sponsored Lamb said he immediately felt comfortable in the new Mustang.
"As well as working on all of our current cars, we also received a 2010 Cobra Jet Ford Mustang to race in super stock. We spent a lot of time getting that ready to race and making it a better race car then it is from the factory. That is one of the cars we won with in the first race. The car worked great right out of the box, and I felt very comfortable and was able to drive it very well. I also won in my new Racetech Race Cars dragster which just works incredible. It is one of the most consistent race cars I have ever owned or raced."
The new Mustang came about when Rodger Comstock purchased the car and asked Lamb Motorsports for some help setting it up to be race worthy.
"He wanted me to help make it a great race car and also wanted me to try and win in it at a few races," added Lamb. "He felt it would be good for his company, Mail Terminal Services, to get some great exposure, and he was very excited to have a huge success right away."
From Lamb's perspective, all three classes were equally as tough to win. "Winning in the Mustang was a much bigger deal to the sponsors and to my father and Rodger, but for me, winning in my dragster was very important. The last few times I raced my dragster I did not drive it as well as I had hoped, and to go out and win in it really helped me build confidence in myself and in that car again."
Lamb says that for 2011 his goals remain the same as they do every year. "My goal is to win as many national events as possible and to try and make some big prize money. I do not currently have much interest in chasing points, but if I end up with a few race wins in a particular class, I am sure that view will change."
Jimmie Johnson. Robby Gordon. Walker Evans. Brendan Gaughan. Those are just a few of the drivers who used off-road racing as a springboard to careers in NASCAR and Indy Cars. Nick Tyree wants next.
Nick Tyree and his Pro 2 Unlimited Truck
The El Cajon native is coming off a solid showing in his freshman season racing Pro 2 Unlimited trucks in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. Tyree overcame a sharp learning curve to post solid finishes week in and week out. He was rewarded with a 13th place points finish in a series that saw more than 30 drivers compete for championship points.
"I was introduced to the Lucas Oil Series by a friend at the end of 2009," said the former karting and motorcycle racer. "Last season was all about learning for us as a team. It would be hard to pinpoint one specific thing that we learned, because there was constantly an opportunity to learn. I think the value of humility, sportsmanship, and teamwork were front and center for Tyree Motorsports in 2010. We learned how to troubleshoot technical problems and performance issues with help from some of the legends of the sport. That really improved our team."
Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Driver Nick Tyree
Tyree is looking forward to 2011, and a chance to stick his name into the discussion for most improved driver. He also wants a win, and he possesses a rare quality that the greats usually have; the ability to be self critical. "I am a perfectionist. I need perfection and I don't stop when I get it. Even when I drive a good race I am constantly looking for more ways to improve. I have a standard of excellence that I hold myself to both on and off the track."
Nick and his father Curtis founded the team in 2010 on the premise of bringing their family closer, and so far it's succeeding. "Tyree Motorsports would not exist without the support of our entire family. All of my crew members are friend and family, and they all have full time jobs to keep up with. Yet they all take time out of their lives to come work in the shop at night. That's what keeps this team going."
On that topic, Tyree says life would be a little less stressful heading into 2011 if more sponsorship could be secured. "The less I have to worry about funding, the more I can focus on our main goal; winning races. I want to focus on my skills as much as possible to ensure a successful season."
K&N bought in to Tyree Motorsports core values and entered into a relationship with the team for the 2010 season. Tyree is even more excited about the relationship heading into his sophomore campaign.
"Everyone knows K&N is a reputable company with a high standard for quality products. That's why we are proud to use K&N products at Tyree Motorsports. I am looking forward to establishing a long running relationship with K&N as Tyree Motorsports continues to evolve into a winning program."
And who knows, maybe a legend will be born as well.
With weather plagued and shortened qualifying sessions for the 2011 NHRA season opener, one could say that Mother Nature actually might have shown who her favorite was during Pro Stock qualifying for the 51st annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals.
NHRA Pro Stock Driver Erica Enders
New Orleans based Erica Enders, who has been a crowd favorite throughout her pro career, returned to her Pro Stock roots for 2011 by rejoining forces with Cagnazzi Racing, a team she has worked on and off with since debuting in the class in 2005.
During the opening session of Pro Stock qualifying one Friday, Enders and her Cagnazzi powered Chevy Cobalt laid down her career best ET and MPH when she posted a 6.553 at 211.69, placing her team at the top and setting the pace for the rest of the field.
That would be the only session of Pro Stock qualifying on Friday with the second scheduled sessions scrapped due to persistent weather delays.
Saturday's plan was to get two more professional sessions in the books, but this time it wasn't just rain that delayed the on track activities, it was a down-pouring of hail during the midmorning hours. With the tight curfew at the Pomona facility, Pro Stock competitors were only afforded one more hit.
During the one and only session on Saturday, Enders dodged a bullet after 2010 K&N Horsepower Challenge Champion Greg Anderson came very close to knocking her off the pole with his 6.556 pass.
Not only is qualifying position important for race day ladder placement and championship points, but even more crucial for the NHRA Pro Stock drivers as they vie for a shot at the 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge.
An elite field of eight Pro Stock teams, comprised of the top seven Pro Stock qualifiers and the eighth position filled by fan vote, compete for the biggest single payday in all of Pro Stock and the $50,000 Championship bonus awarded to the winner when the showdown takes place in June.
Enders, whose last number one national event qualifier came in 2006, is seeking to make it into the K&N Horsepower Challenge for the second time. She nearly made it in the number eight fan voted position for the 2010 shootout, but was edged out by "The Professor" Warren Johnson.
With only eight events between now and the final event in Bristol for teams to earn K&N Challenge points, for Enders to make her way into the top seven, it will take a whole lot of top if not number one qualifying.
Nonetheless, Enders showed that "ladies are first", grabbing the first Pro Stock pole of the infant season and if nothing else, give a good shake to the standings in the 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge.
The K&N Horsepower Challenge is not just for the Pro Stock competitors as it also includes a shot at one of eight trips to the 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge event with the K&N Horsepower Sweepstakes. The grand prize winner will drive away in a 2011 Ford Explorer XLT! For complete sweepstakes rules and information plus online entry form, visit today!
Tony Hunt plans to race in the USAC Western Classic Racing Series in 2011
Some people are just born for the driver's seat. That's one way you could describe Tony Hunt.
United States Auto Club Sprint Car Racer Tony Hunt
The Southern California native is gearing up for another exciting season of United States Auto Club Sprint Car racing. Hunt is coming off an unprecedented 4th Championship in the AMSOIL Western States Sprint Car Series, and this season, he plans on competing in the newly founded USAC Western Classic Racing Series, which will test his skills on both asphalt and dirt in a grueling 16 race season.
"We have a desire to defend our Western States championship, but we want to challenge ourselves in 2011," said the Hollywood stunt driver. "That's why we are running the Western Classic Series this year."
Hunt is coming off a whirlwind season, in which he added to his career totals in wins (52) and poles (63) in USAC sanctioned events. His fourth championship was the culmination of a three year engine development program that left the team frustrated at times.
AMSOIL Western States Sprint Car Series Champion Tony Hunt
"It was going to be hard to duplicate our success from 2006, when we scored a record number of series victories and captured our third championship. In 2007 we decided to engage in a engine development program with two different manufacturers. It was a period of research and development time, and a huge learning experience. Fortunately our efforts finally paid off with another great season in 2010," said Hunt after returning from a business trip.
Hunt began racing at the age of five when he competed at the Pomona Valley quarter midget track east of Los Angeles. His father, Tommy, was a renowned racer at the world famous (and now defunct) Ascot Park in Southern California. Hunt's grandfather, Joe, owned a slew of Indy Cars for over 30 years. His drivers included Indy legends Tony and Gary Bettenhausen, Johnny Parsons, and Al and Bobby Unser.
Tony wasted no time making a name for himself. In 1992, Hunt finished second in the USAC Russell Pro Series. The next season, he won the championship. In 1998, Hunt captured Rookie of the Year honors in the Western States Sprint Cars. 2001 saw Tony win his first Western State Sprint Car Championship, with a second title coming in 2004. Now he is on a drive for five.
"There's really no specific reason for our success. Many key elements play a factor. I've always had a strong work ethic and stay very involved in the shop. I was always interested in the mechanical development of the cars I've driven. My team owner and crew all work on the same principals and adhere to a routine approach that allows us to maintain a winning consistency."
Did I mention Hunt is well spoken? Hunt's relationship with K&N Filters began nearly two decades ago in 1993. Hunt was a competitor in the K&N Grand National West Series, and the two have been together ever since. K&N is proud to have been on board with Hunt for all four of his USAC AMSOIL Western States Sprint Car Championships.
"Since 1993, K&N and I have enjoyed many years of racing accomplishments that have grown into a mutually rewarding, long-term relationship. K&N offers our team a high quality product line. Whether they are providing maximum filtered intake flow or premium oil filtration, our team can always rely on K&N's proven performance."
Ice, ice, baby - Allyx needs to train and little frozen precipitation isn't going to stop her.
When the world outside is frozen solid with ice you could cozy up with your Wii, go vroom and pretend you're riding a motorcycle, or you could bundle up and churn some ice on a real bike.
"We have been riding on the ice this past winter to train, and we're looking forward to the start of the 2011 season," remarked Adam and Allyx Camp's dad, Stan. "And we are very happy to have K&N onboard again this year."
Adam churning up the muck in a race at Galesburg, Illinois last year.
Stan is the Dirt Track Director for AMA District 17, a position he understands all too well. Stan raced for a couple of decades himself, as a junior in the AMA professional ranks, until moving into stock cars for a few years. Stan also understands that the family that races together, well, they spend a good deal of time together, and that's just as he and his wife Holly planned it. They have three kids, the oldest son Adam is 17, their daughter Austyn is pushing 16 and the youngest girl Allyx is 13. All three started racing early. Adam for example already has ten years of racing experience and Allyx is right behind with nine years. Austyn doesn't race anymore, but between her and her mom, they handle all the logistics that allow Adam and Allyx to stay focused on the track, or the ice, as is the case currently around their Farmington, Illinois home.
Same form and technique, but different surface, Allyx racing in the 250 class last year at Walnut, Illinois race last season.
"Last year was a learning year for both Adam and Allyx," says Stan. "Allyx's highlight was probably second place finish in the state championship TT race in the 250cc class. And Adam finished top three at a couple of the local races in the pro class. Our first race hopefully will be March 19th at DeQoin, Illinois. That will be a warm up for The April 19th National."
Allyx's goal for this year is a top three overall finish in the 250cc class, which would be a significant accomplishment, being how very competitive the group of 250cc riders will be this year.
Adam's goal is to make a GNC Pro Class program. "We were very close last year," adds Stan. "With hard work and a little luck I feel both goals are reachable."
