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The Mellow Insanity Racing family has been racing together since Chad was born.
To those who don't know Mellow Insanity Racing, the name alone would likely make one think twice before stopping by their pit area at the local track. But if you ask those who know Wayne, Linda, and Chad Axford, it's simply about friends and family having fun together. Friends, as long as they are not sitting in a race car in the opposing lane at Sacramento Raceway.
Named after a favorite garage band from the late 60's, Mellow Insanity Racing has a lot going on. The Axford family has been racing together for 20 years or since Chad was born. All three hold regular jobs. Wayne is a mechanic, Chad the manager of an auto supply store and Linda is a special education teacher, all in addition to their busy race schedule.
The foundation of Mellow Insanity Racing was poured when the drag racing bug bit Wayne around 1980. He decided one day that he would take his 1967 Volkswagen Bug to the local drag strip to see what it could do. The rest, as they say, is history. Currently, at an estimated 300 horsepower, it is one rowdy ride and boogies down the quarter mile in about 11.5 seconds.
Like dad, Chad's interest in racing began at an early age. At 14, he decided that he wanted to start racing so they purchased a junior dragster which put out roughly 50 horsepower. Racing it since 2003, the highlight of his career so far is claiming the title of 2006 Western Conference Junior Dragster Champion.
He has since traded in the junior dragster for a full size ride and has campaigned a 1998 Uyehara dragster since early last year. With an estimated 850 to 900 horsepower motor and with a few easy modifications, Chad can run in several different classes depending on the racing event. He has run as fast as 165 mph, chewing the quarter mile in just over 9 seconds. Even this early in the 2010 racing year, he already has a Sacramento Super Pro win under his belt. His ultimate racing goal is to drive a Pro Stock car on the NHRA circuit. Presently Chad is studying at a local community college and his immediate plans are to attend the California Highway Patrol Academy this July.
Chad and his father's race cars are both protected by K&N air and oil filters. Chad says both of their tow vehicles have K&N air intake systems for extra performance. "The truth is, I have never known anything other than K&N. Our family has always believed in taking care of our cars both on and off the track. In this house, if it needs a filter, it gets a K&N."
If you're in Northern California, look for Mellow Insanity at these events:
February 15 - Super Pro - Chad - Infineon Raceway
February 28 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
March 7 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
March 14 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
March 14 - Wayne/ Chad - NASA - Sacramento Raceway
March 28 - Wayne / Chad - NASA - Sacramento Raceway
March 28 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
April 3 - Super Pro - Chad - Infineon Raceway
April 11 - NASA Pro VW - Wayne / Chad - Sacramento Raceway
April 18 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
May 1 & 2 - Super Pro / Super Comp - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
May 15 - NASA Pro VW - Wayne / Chad - Sacramento Raceway
June 26 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
June 26 - NASA - Wayne / Chad - Sacramento Raceway
July 16 thru 18 - Super Comp - Chad - Infineon Raceway
July 23 thru 25 - Super Comp - Chad - Infineon Raceway
August 21 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
September 4 & 5 - Bug O Rama - Wayne - Sacramento Raceway
September 19 - NASA Pro VW - Wayne / Chad - Sacramento Raceway
Sept 29 thru Oct 3 - Super Pro - Chad - Sacramento Raceway
October 10 - NASA Pro VW - Wayne / Chad - Sacramento Raceway
Youngest son Jared in the pits before warm-ups at Hagerstown Speedway
The Umbenhauer Racing camp has been hectic preparing for the coming race season. Jordan Umbenhauer from Reading, Pennsylvania has been busy building a car for his youngest son, 17-year-old Jared, to race in the Sportsman Class at Big Diamond Raceway in Pennsylvania. He's also working on his oldest son's car, 21-year-old Jordan Jr., plus Rick Clay's Big Block, which will be driven by Billy Pauch Jr., and in his spare time, which is at a premium these days, Jordan works on his own car.
Jordan (Jr.) racing at Hagerstown Speedway
"Overall I think our '09 season went well, says Umbenhauer. "I had a few top fives. My son Jared finished second in the Sportsman Coal Cracker 50, while Jordan (Jr.) finished sixth."
"Jared also won his first Sportsman Race last year. Jordan did well in his rookie season up at Big Diamond Raceway; finishing 11th in points for the season, and he came away with some top ten finishes too. He also placed tenth in the BPG Freedom 76 (referred to as "The Granddaddy" of major short track dirt modified racing events) in his first time racing at Grandview Speedway (Bechtelville, Pennsylvania). Overall a good season for the family."
Jordan racing at Grandview Speedway
"Our relationship with K&N is amazing. We love the way the air and oil filters are working for our cars and love the support that K&N has given us over the season."
"Our plans for the upcoming 2010 season are for Jordan to race fulltime at Grandview Speedway in the 358 Modified Division. Jared will compete weekly up at Big Diamond Raceway, in the Sportsman Class, in a new family car. I will run select shows throughout the season, giving more time for my sons to compete and advance in the racing world," concludes Umbenhauer.
There's no telling when the inspiration to help strikes, or where it will come from, and how it will manifest - what matters is that it comes at all. Last weekend was the first race of the new NASCAR K&N Pro Series held at Irwindale Speedway. Jamerson Motosports' number 63 car, Dangerous RED, didn't win the race, but they did win over the hearts and imaginations of fans and sponsors.
Larry Jamerson and the first four calendar girls
On a trip home from Homestead, Florida, after attending the last race of last year, sitting in the airport lobby, Larry Jamerson struck up a conversation with a young solider. The solider was headed out on his third deployment to Afghanistan. He hadn't even been able to make it home between deployments because during that period he had opted to visit a fellow injured soldier instead. The soldier went on to explain that there was no military money to pay for the injured soldier's entire family to visit him in the Arizona hospital, so to support his friend, he made the trip on his own.
Jamerson wished the solider a safe return and thanked him for his service to our country and they parted ways in the airport lobby. But, that conversation stuck with Jamerson, and several months later, when he met with his friend Russ Newberry (from the hit TV show the Deadliest Catch), the two worked together searching for a project that could help.
"My comment at the time was, as long as it was for the benefit of the soldiers and their family's, any effort would be worth it," reflects Jamerson. "After brainstorming and coming up empty, a gift was delivered for Russ at my house. Bryan Lindt, who wanted to meet the star deckhand, left a bottle of wine for him. After talking with Lindt, we found out the winery he worked for could produce our own brand, that we could then use the profits from to raise money for the troops."
Soon after that fateful meeting, Dangerous RED was created. "The name came to us because the troops of course have a dangerous job, and Russ has a dangerous job catching red King Crabs, so Dangerous RED," explains Jamerson.
"After doing a few festivals with the Valenzano family (Valenzano Winery produces Dangerous RED) I knew this brand had wheels," continues Jamerson. "Maybe it could be a regional brand, or a national brand, maybe I could do something, or be part of something that would let the troops know how much we care about them. Our game plan is to use NASCAR as part of our marketing efforts to promote our story."
Using the Dangerous RED girls to develop a calendar that they can sell at military bases, local liquor stores, NASCAR tracks, and giveaways during meet-and-greet sessions with Russ Newberry is also a part of that marketing plan.
"Since the start of our program, many people have asked to help, showing me that people want to be part of something that helps support our troops. You can check www.Jamersonmotorsports.net to see all parties that have asked to join our cause and the list is growing," say Jamerson.
"The calendar will be done within the next two months. Our first contest to find the Dangerous RED girls was held at the 2010 Motorsports show in Oaks, Pennsylvania. We are planning our next event at the Tropicana casino in Atlantic City, along with a bartender contest using Dangerous RED as an ingredient in a mixed drink. Maybe a 'Danger Bomb', who knows?"
"A big thank you goes out to K&N for stepping up and being part of NASCAR. The teams and fans will support K&N like they always have. Jamerson Motorsports will do our part to support and promote K&N as well."
Performance Air Filter for 2010, 2011 and 2012 Honda CR-V 2.4L
The Honda CR-V is a small crossover SUV with plenty of room for passengers and a good amount of cargo space. It is equipped with Honda's standard K-Series 2.4 liter engine that offers some power but lacks the performance of larger SUV’s. K&N designed a replacement panel air filter (33-2437) for 2010, 2011 and 2012 Honda CR-V SUV's with a 2.4 liter engine. K&N cotton air filters are designed to increase horsepower and acceleration while protecting your engine from small debris that might otherwise enter your engine.
K&N performance air filter 33-2437 was custom engineered to fit the unique shape of the CR-V’s factory air box. This simple drop-in design makes adding performance to your Honda CR-V as easy as removing your stock paper filter and replacing it with K&N’s high-flow air filter.
The 33-2437, like all K&N OE replacement air filters, is washable, reusable and comes with K&N’s Million Mile Limited Warranty™. 2010 Honda CR-V owners will never need to buy another air filter for the life of their SUV. 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.
Seven-year-old Tyler Clem had a two-championship seasons winning the Tampa Track Jr. Honda Division and the Eastern USAC Jr.
Bubba the Love Sponge is the second "baddest" boy in radio and he's just fine with that. Coming in behind Howard Stern doesn't totally suck. Okay, that could have been worded differently. Being Stern's number-two man. No. Well, you get the point. But, put Howard and Bubba in late-model racecars, and our money is clearly on Bubba to come in first.
Tyler Clem taking his flag lap
Bubba the Love Sponge, a native of Warsaw, Indiana, was born Todd Clem. In 1999 he legally changed his name to the trademarked Bubba the Love Sponge. Bubba began his radio career in 1986 while he was in college, by age 25 he was doing morning hit radio in Chicago. Then in '04, Bubba lost his job in terrestrial radio due to widely publicized crackdowns on "indecency." During that time Bubba managed to keep his entire show staff together, until Howard Stern brought him to Sirius Satellite Radio in '06 to be part of his groundbreaking new lineup, where he remains today.
Bubba has long been vocal about his off-air obsession with racing and with introducing his son Tyler and other youths to the sport. "'09 was a great year for Clem Racing Inc.," says Bubba. "Michael Atwell, age 10, won two championships, he won the Tampa Track Light 160 Division, and also the
USAC Eastern Division Light 160 Division. Michael will be racing in three divisions for 2010, the Light 160, the Light World Formula and in a new division started by USAC called the Senior Animal."
Bubba's son Tyler Clem, age seven, also had a two-championship season, winning both the Tampa Track Jr. Honda Division and the Eastern USAC Jr. Honda Division. This year Tyler will also be participating in three divisions, the Jr. Honda, the Light 160 and the new Jr. Animal USAC Division. Tyler and Michael are both the youngest developmental drivers in Tony Stewart's, Stewart Hass Racing program.
"Tyler got involved in racing at the age of three, when I bought him a little electric car and made a course in the garage," says Bubba. "At the age of four I bought him an old rice quarter-midget and just used the idle screw for the speed. At the age of five he started racing quarter-midgets weekly."
Bubba's schedule only allowed for him to race in a handful of races last year, but he did quite well he says. Back in September he was leading a 30-lap invitational race in Clewiston, Florida when a broken shock forced him to retire early. Bubba plans on competing in about 18 races this year.
Two other drivers in the Clem Racing camp also had outstanding seasons in '09. Keith Nosbich won 12 features, and Tim McCready, driving a K&N sponsored late-model racecar, took home a check for $10,000 for winning a 100-lap race in Tampa recently.
When we asked Bubba about his radio show and how the "Bubba the Love Sponge" handle came about he said. "I signed up with Sirius in '06 after Howard Stern called and said he needed the second bad boy of radio to join the first bad boy, and the rest is history. This is a team that will never again be assembled in radio. How I got my name, that's such a long, long story, and it might offend someone," he added laughing.
When asked about his relationship with K&N he had this to say, "To be honest, I've always been a K&N user, regardless of my sponsorship. If you are serious about racing and winning, and you don't want a break down in your equipment, K&N is your only choice. It's pretty much that simple. I couldn't be happier with the support K&N has given me, and my race teams. From the products to the marketing - K&N truly gives back."
For the 2010 season Clem Racing Inc. has 65 races on their schedule, starting February 20, in Nashville and ending Thanksgiving weekend in North Carolina.
Bubba's take on the pending hectic race calendar is, "get back to me in December, and if I'm not frazzled beyond belief, let's chat."
