Kyle McGrady and the Auto Club Late Models at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale
- May 27, 2011
McGrady is coming off a top-10 points finish in 2010, but his K&N Filters #11 had higher expectations entering the season. So far, the results have been positive. After being involved in an unavoidable, multi-car pileup on opening night, McGrady has raced door-to-door with some of the best Late Model drivers in the nation. "We expect to get a win, first of all," the 18-year-old said. "And we expect to run in the top five every week. We are good enough for that."
McGrady has excelled throughout his career. In quarter-sprints, he won 5 races and a championship in his only season. A move to the 4-cylinder, Ford Pinto hoarding Mini Stock class at San Bernardino's Orange Show Speedway brought Kyle two more championships. Next up was a move to the Pro-4 class, which are basically 4-cylinder Late Models. A Rookie of the Year and several podiums followed, and so did a move to Toyota Speedway, where Kyle entered the Late Model division in 2009 and just missed winning Rookie of the Year.
But after a disappointing 2010 season failed to bring Kyle a win, the youngster and his family run team went to work, rebuilding the setup on the car. The new setup has brought the team more confidence, and with that confidence, results. "We are really working well together. Everyone is working so hard. The key was me getting comfortable in the car. I think I'm finally to the point where I know I can get up there and win. We are very optimistic about the rest of the season, and I'm excited for what the future can bring us," McGrady added. The move from Orange Show to Toyota Speedway, and its ultra-fast half-mile surface, was a drastic change for McGrady, but ultimately a good one for his style. "I love the big tracks. I like to be able to race side-by-side, and this place is just a more natural fit for me. I'm glad we made the move." McGrady plans on running Late Models for the foreseeable future, with an eye on an eventual move to NASCAR's K&N Pro Series West, and then to Camping World Trucks. But he was quick to mention that there would be no future if it weren't for the support K&N Filters has provided. "K&N have been great. Everyone at K&N are just good people. Great people. We've been together for several years, and they help us out a bunch. We have their products on all of our cars and family vehicles, and they are just awesome. From their air filters to their oil filters, nobody can beat K&N at the track." 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. |
