Four-Time AMSOIL Western States Sprint Car Series Champion Tony Hunt
- Mar 1, 2011
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.
"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." 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. |
