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Allen Johnson Final Number One Qualifier at Bristol for 2010 K&N Horsepower Challenge

Jun 22, 2010

Allen Johnson and his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger

During a weekend of immense heat and extremely high track temperatures, local Pro Stock favorite Allen Johnson managed to show his team's hard work is paying off as he grabbed the number one qualifying spot for the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at historic Bristol Dragway.

Allen Johnson takes number one qualifying spot for the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

Johnson, a nearby Greeneville, Tennessee native, has been on the tail of class runaway competitor and reigning champion, Mike Edwards, who held the number one qualifying spot after the second session on Friday, when he posted a 6.725 in the heat.

"We made a pretty bad run on Friday night," reflected Johnson. "We knew we had more in it."

With track temperatures soaring well into the 130 degree range, Johnson and his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger went into Saturday's qualifying pass looking to better their position, but didn't feel they had enough to grab the pole.

"We really didn't think we could run that fast. We thought we could nab second, but we absolutely made a perfect run to grab the number one spot," said Johnson.

Johnson's 6.722 pass during what his team considered a "perfect run", put him at the top of the heap for the second time this season, ninth of his career and just happened to be his very first number one qualifier at his home track of Bristol Dragway.

With the Bristol event being the final chance to grab points for the 2010 K&N Horsepower Challenge, one of Johnson's main goals for the Thunder Valley Nationals was to out qualify as many as possible and move back up on the ladder.

"We had messed up at Englishtown and qualified thirteenth because we had to get in on Saturday after the weather changed real bad," explained Johnson. "We had dropped all the way to fifth and we just made it our goal to qualify well and move back up to third."

The field is now set for the 2010 K&N Horsepower Challenge, Johnson holding the third position which will pit him against number six qualifier Ron Krisher in round one, when the prestigious event unfolds during the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio this week.

As a past K&N Horsepower Challenge Champion, Johnson is more than geared up for the weekend's event and when asked about his thoughts for the 2010 Challenge, his response was very simple.

"Win the damn thing," chuckled Johnson.

"I feel like I left uncompleted business there in 2008," he continued. "That's when I won the K&N Challenge and then didn't double up on Sunday. I lost in a holeshot in first round and I had the car to beat on Sunday."

There are just certain races and events that a driver looks forward to more than others each season, special events with tons of history and prestige, such as the NHRA U.S. Nationals. And in Johnson's book, the K&N Horsepower Challenge is the single biggest event of the year for Pro Stock teams, even bigger to him than winning "Indy".

"What Steve Williams and the entire K&N family continue to provide for our Pro Stock class is just outstanding," said Johnson. "We are really looking forward to the race at Norwalk and we feel that after Bristol we have a great tune-up for the K&N Challenge and the Nationals."

Johnson will join the seven other Pro Stock drivers qualified for the 2010 K&N Horsepower Challenge on Saturday June 26th at high noon for round number one of the three round shootout, during the 4th Annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

The last driver standing will walk away with a cool $50,000 and the highly coveted 2010 K&N Horsepower Challenge Championship.

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 Sponsored Zhu Xun Earns Podium Spot in Chinese Xi Delong Cup 2010

Jun 21, 2010

Zhu Xun celebrated his third place podium finish in the Xi Delong Cup 2010, but kept things in perspective by his belief that in racing, as in life, the journey is the thing.

"There is no problem with competition as a Buddhist as long as you are fair," say the Buddhist. "When you win, you can share your success with all beings, by letting them take joy in your success."

The six man final was a hotly contested race with Zhu Xun finishing only seconds behind first place.

While the Taoist sage wrote; "A wise man knows himself to be more precious than fame - and so - obscure, remains."

Buddhism and Taoist are the two oldest religions in China, so to understand the Chinese perspective on racing and competition in general, it’s imperative to know that this is a nation that has forever been a harmony of paradoxes. The Taoist sage shuns competition, for it nurtures egotism, fosters brutality and justifies humiliation. Yet, as China continues to open up to western influences, such as off-road racing, these values and beliefs too, continue to be redefined.

Zhu Xun at Xi Delong Cup 2010

When long distance cross-country rally racer Zhu Xun recently finished third in the Xi Delong Cup 2010 Chinese Circuit Off-road Championship, one of the three major races held by the Federation of Automobile Sports of in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, he was quoted as saying;

"While participating in races, if you truly enjoy the race itself, you will be happy regardless of what place you come in at."

Xun has also said that these three races are his personal favorites, "as they are the most demanding and comprehensive test of a race driver’s capability."

A total of 79 race drivers from various teams and race clubs across China participated in the Delong Cup 2010. K&N distributor, Carnet Motor, sponsors Zhu Xun, a veteran racer from the Yong Tang Sheng Team. Xun has nearly six years of racing experience. Xun also heads the Race Car Modification aspect for the team. The Young Tang Sheng Team is from Fuzhou, Fujiang Province.

After two rounds of racing, a half dozen drivers remained for the final; Zhu Xun was one of those six. In the fiercely competitive final, Toyota X-Game driver Ou Minsheng came through with the victory

As the head (CTO) of Race Car Modification, Zhu Xun is outspoken about safety and street-racing. He is against all illegal car racing on the roads, "as it not only puts the driver in danger, but also endangers all other drivers on the road."

He says that the primary foundation of all car modifications should always be about safety first. On racecar modification, Zhu Xun shared the following analogy, "just like the shortest wood panel will determine how much water a bucket can hold, racecar modification should be a comprehensive improvement across all parts, instead of a pure propelling power play. The key focus should be on the race car body structure, as well as control mechanisms."

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.

Luke Bogacki Wins Big at Ultimate 64 Shootout Held at Edgewater Sports Park in Ohio

Jun 18, 2010

Bogacki says he's amused that his nearly two year old American Dragster has won four or five national events and a couple of points races.

Opportunities to grab a $50,000 brass-ring are very rare, to miss that occasion by three-thousandth of seconds, less than half an eye blink, is the real world drag racers have to make their peace with. At the 5th Annual Ultimate 64 Shootout, held at Edgewater Sports Park near Cincinnati, Ohio, Luke Bogacki battled his way through 63 of the top sportsman competitors in the nation to advance to a final round, missing the big bucks by lighting a excruciating .003 red light.

Undeterred by his heartbreaking finals loss, Bogacki returned to the track and won the $10,000 Box Bonanza event

"It always stings. I've been racing competitively for over fifteen years now, and that was only my second $50,000 final, so I know that those chances don't come along very often," reflected Bogacki.

"It's frustrating because I feel like it's a race I could've and maybe even should've won at that point. But all-in-all, you have to put it in perspective. We had an excellent day, and the way things have been going lately that's a huge shot in the arm, both for my confidence and wallet. I don't know that the momentum carries over to the 2011 Ultimate 64, although for some reason, I've had good success at that event."

The Carterville, Illinois racer has had a string of strong showing in the Ultimate 64 Shootout. In the five years of the event, Bogacki has a pair of quarterfinal losses, a semi-final loss, and now a runner-up.

"That race, like any big dollar bracket race, is just so competitive. I'm up against 63 other excellent drivers, in 63 great cars; anyone in that field could win. If you ran that race ten times in the same weekend, I'm confident you'd have ten different winners," says Bogacki.

In racing though, one moment you're the bug, and in the next you're the windshield. Shortly after his final round heartbreaker Bogacki returned to the track to compete in that evening's Box Bonanza event, which featured a $10,000 winner's purse. After nine rounds of tough racing, he avenged himself by winning. For the day, Bogacki compiled a stellar 14-1 record, and took home over $20,000 in prize money.

"I think the confidence carries more than anything. I've always said that ‘Winning breeds winning,' and I believe that. I compete in a lot of different events, in several categories, and in various forms of vehicles. So, the momentum from a bracket win doesn't necessarily carry over to Stock Eliminator next weekend; but I think the confidence goes a long way."

Bogacki says that presently he feels very fortunate - all four of the cars he drives on a regular basis are as competitive as any cars in their category. So he has a great deal of confidence knowing he's in the fight at any event he attends.

"At the bracket races, my 2008 THisIsBracketRacing.com Dragster (a 582 cubic inch big block prepared by Huntsville Engine and Performance) is one of the best cars in the Electronics class, and my Vega is one of the best cars in the No Box class. At the NHRA events, our 2010 American Dragster has currently got one of the best Super Comp tune-ups in the country, and Bryan Robinson's Nova is a great Stock Eliminator car. Whatever the class calls for, I feel like I've got the best tools available. That's the single biggest key to the success I've enjoyed in recent seasons."

Bogacki says another key to his continuing accomplishments is the support of sponsors like K&N.

"The K&N products we use, air filters, oil filters, fuel filters, and miscellaneous vent filters, all do a phenomenal job of protecting vital engine parts and increasing performance. K&N products give me the peace of mind to focus on my job behind the wheel."

Bogacki returns to NHRA competition this weekend at the upcoming Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee and at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio. After a hot start to the 2010 campaign that included four final round appearances in Super Comp and Stock Eliminator, Bogacki has turned his focus mainly to bracket competition. He currently sits in second place in the NHRA Lucas Oil national standings in both categories as he readies for the upcoming Full Throttle Series events.

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.

More Power for Toyota Tundra and Toyota Sequoia 4.7L with K&N Performance Air Intake

Jun 18, 2010

K&N Air Intake Installed on Toyota Tundra and Sequoia 4.7L V8

K&N Air Intake Installed on Toyota Tundra 4.7L V8

Dyno Chart for Toyota Tundra and Sequoia 4.7L V8

The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck that entered the automotive market in the year 2000. The Toyota Tundra continues to grow in popularity thanks to its outstanding performance, stamina and overall comfort. With its stylish and aggressive exterior, quiet and roomy interior and excellent turning radius, the Toyota Tundra 4.7L is a great truck for hard work and punishment. Just as practical as a daily driver, the Toyota Tundra handles well, has excellent interior storage space and the 4.7L engine is more economical than many other full-size pickups.

K&N Air Intake System for Toyota Tundra and Sequoia 4.7L V8

K&N engineered an air intake system (77-9032-1KP) to squeeze even more power out of the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Toyota Tundra with the 4.7L V8 engine. The 77-9032-1KP includes a mandrel-bent aluminum intake tube that is designed to smooth and straighten air-flow to your engine. Attached to the tube is a high-flow K&N air filter, part RU-5045, that provides excellent filtration while allowing virtually unrestricted air-flow to enter the intake tube.

Temperatures can get pretty extreme under the hood of a truck so K&N's 77-9032-1KP comes complete with a powder coated metallic heat shield. The heat shield is designed to isolate the air filter from the radiant heat generated by other components of your engine. By isolating the filter, more fresh, outside air can enter your air filter resulting in greater power and performance.

K&N air intake 77-9032-1KP is specially designed to increase horsepower in the 2007 to 2009 Toyota Tundra 4.7L. Dyno testing revealed an additional 8.99 horsepower at 4717 rpm. Owners of the 2008 and 2009 Toyota Sequoia models with the 4.7L engine can also boost their power with this simple performance modification.

Installing a power gaining air intake system on your Toyota Tundra is much easier than many would think. A typical installation takes less than 90 minutes and requires common hand tools. K&N provides detailed instructions which make adding horsepower easy.

K&N also offers an optional Drycharger^® filter wrap (RU-5045DK) that can be used with the 77-9032-1KP air intake system. Drycharger^® filter wraps are made from a durable polyester material containing uniform micron openings which will stop small dirt particles and repel water.

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.

Ray Cook Wins $30,000 18th Annual DART 'Show Me 100'

Jun 17, 2010

Ray Cook made racing history by being only the eighth driver to win the crown-jewel event twice in its 18 year running.

Ray Cook inked his name in race history by winning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanctioned 18th Annual DART 'Show-Me 100.' The $30,000 to win event, held at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri, became an instant classic as Cook the Brasstown, North Carolina driver came home the winner of the event for the second time in his career, surviving a three-wide battle for the race lead in the process.

Cook started the race in the 11th spot and quickly moved into the top five before half-way through event, he survived a three-wide battle for the race lead the ultimate victory.

Cook "The Tarheel Tiger" likes to keep his priorities simple and in order - God first, family next, and racing third.

"It was certainly such a blessing to win the Show Me 100 for a second time. It was way back in 2000 when I won the first one, and I didn't think I would ever win it again," admitted Cook.

"This is such a great race and one of the crown-jewels in our sport of Dirt Late Model racing. Being one of only eight drivers to ever win this race twice is quite an honor."

Further race history was made as the 18th Annual DART Show Me 100 begins a new era of the event's illustrious history at the state-of-the-art, Lucas Oil Speedway. For the first 17 years the DART Show Me 100 called West Plains Motor (Missouri) Speedway home.

"This was one of the longest races we have seen in a long time, lasting one hour and forty-five minutes," said Cook.

"There were a lot of cautions for wrecks and flat tires. Starting in the 11th spot and moving in to the top five before half-way, I knew we had a great car and a good chance of winning, if nothing happened to us. In a long race like that, you just have to try and stay focused as much as possible, and not lose sight of what you're doing. We were able to pull off the win, and everything worked out great for us."

Says Cook, "K&N has as much to do with our success as any of the products we use. We are very proud and rely of all the K&N products we use, from the oil filters to the air filters, and all the other products. Great products are the key to winning long races."

Cook is currently holding down the fifth position in the overall championship points standings and he is moving up with every race.

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.