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Father Restores 1936 Ford and Leaves his Son with a Precious Heirloom

Mar 20, 2017

Lee Leighton restored this 1936 Ford F100 over a 30 year period and then passed it on to his son

If you were to take a trip back in time about 60 years and found yourself in Southern California, you probably wouldn’t recognize much of anything. Most cars don’t look anything like the cars we see today and even the classics that have been restored sometimes are modified to such an extent that their hardly recognizable. This however, is not the case with Jerry Leighton’s green 1936 Ford F100. Fast forward to today and you would see a very similar truck as you did in the 1950s.

Lee and Jerry wanted to keep the truck as close to stock as possible

The master of the build is family man, Lee Leighton, from Riverside, California. Lee originally bought the truck for light duty work and more interestingly, as a tow vehicle for EMPI and Revmaster back in the '50s and '60s. Lee himself raced in an EMPI Jouster Dragster and a Revmaster Gasser Dragster AKA “Inch Pinch” and used the truck to get the dragsters to and from the track.

When he wasn’t racing, he was in the garage building engines for his dragsters and others as well. Lee built record-setting VW engines and raced a red Volkswagen Bug, which was featured in Hot VW back in the 1960s. The car currently resides in Europe and is loved by many.

Race engines were Lee’s specialty, and he utilized his skills to beef up his 1936 Ford. Since it was used to tow dragsters, Lee thought it best to stick a 1950s Mopar 292ci Hemi in place of the original inline 6. Lee machined the heads and tuned the truck with his son Jerry Leighton, who now owns and regularly drives the truck.

Mopar 292 Hemi in 1936 Ford F100 with K&N Filter

Lee went with a K&N custom filter assembly to help the Mopar 292 Hemi breathe

The Hemi breathes through a K&N 66-1460 custom filter assembly atop the two Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetors. Despite the engine upgrade, Lee and Jerry wanted to keep the truck as close to stock as possible. One example is that the original Ford Pickup didn’t come with a radio, so they decided to keep it that way even with all of the great aftermarket vintage-style radios available online. The dash features the original Ford instrument cluster hiding behind an also-original Ford steering wheel. The upholstery is the original black color, with carpet to match under OEM rubber floor mats.

The 1936 Ford F100 is equipped with beautiful oak bed wood with stainless runners

A few of the small non-OEM modifications include roadster vented front disc brakes, with safety hubs in the rear. This mod is basically a must have, if this truck is to compete in today’s erratic driving conditions. It also has lap seat-belts out of a Cadillac, for obvious safety reasons.

The most obvious non-OEM modification is the graphic featured on the roof of the truck. The graphic contains a bald eagle with an American flag wrapped in the background and a banner with “USA” clutched in the eagle’s claws. This definitely pays tribute to the hundreds of Americans that made this truck a reality, including Lee and Jerry.

The truck features a custom graphic on the roof honoring America

In 2014, Lee Leighton passed away at the age of 85 but not before gifting the truck to his son on Jerry’s 61st birthday. Jerry says, “Thanks to my Dad for my 61st birthday gift, I’m driving [the truck] and showing it in style while keeping it maintained and clean.” Jerry can be found at a few of the local SoCal car shows like Route 66, Thunder on the Mountain, Way Lots Show & Go, and Veteran Summit in Lytle Creek.

Whenever possible, Lee used OEM Factory Ford parts in his restoration project

It’s clear that Jerry cherishes this truck and is continuously reminded of his father’s hard work every time he drives it. Jerry says, “We like everything about it, that’s the way Lee built it and it’s one of his best toys. Thanks Dad for building a wonderful truck. RIP 7/3/29 – 9/18/14."

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A Complete Guide to K&N Dodge Dart Performance Parts

Mar 20, 2017

K&N can make the 2013-2016 Dodge Dart perform as good as it looks

K&N makes performance parts for the Dodge Dart, like this 2015 Dodge Dart 2.0L turbo

History of the new 2013-2016 Dodge Dart

In 2009, the Chrysler Corporation was about to shut its doors forever. Mercedes-Benz had bought the company back in 1998 for $57 billion. But they couldn't make it work, and eventually sold out for just $9 billion in 2007. The lucky buyer was a venture capital outfit called Cerberus Capital Management, and the bankruptcy court eventually decided that they couldn't make it work either. Then a blunt speaking French-Canadian named Sergio Marchionne decided to have a go at saving the storied American automaker. However, Mr. Marchionne wasn't just some starry eyed investor that insisted on wearing a fuzzy black sweater every single day. He was the CEO of a massive Italian car company called Fiat, and the merger would give them access to a huge U.S. dealer network. It also gave Chrysler access to a huge portfolio of ready-made engines and car platforms, which meant they could start creating new models almost immediately. The first of these new Italian-American collaborative cars was a compact sedan called the Dodge Dart. It rode on a modified Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform, and had an aggressive look that would come to embody the Dodge brand.

Behind the distinctive crosshair grille were a selection of new engines that were codeveloped by Fiat and Chrysler engineers. The base 2013-2016 Dodge Dart 2.0L Tigershark 4cyl used advanced engine tech like dual-variable valve timing to make 160-hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. The 2013-2016 Dodge Dart Turbo is powered by the 1.4T FIRE 4cyl (aka 1.4L MultiAir Turbo). Designed by Fiat, this Fully Integrated Robotised Engine (i.e FIRE) uses an intercooled turbo, along with their MultiAir electro-hydraulic variable valve timing system, which improves the power and fuel efficiency by constantly adjusting the amount of air going into the motor. All of this results in a Dodge Dart 1.4T that makes 160-hp, and an impressive 184 lb-ft of torque at just 2500 rpm. And finally, the top-spec 2013-2016 Dodge Dart 2.4L Tigershark uses the more advanced MultiAir 2 VVT system to make 184-hp and 174 lb-ft. This motor provides the sport-flavored Dodge Dart GT enough power to backup its sinister looks. But if you want to get more performance from any of these engines, then checkout these K&N Dodge Dart performance parts.

K&N Replacement Air Filter

Get excellent engine protection on the 2013-2016 Dodge Dart with a K&N air filter

K&N 33-2491 Replacement Air Filter

Engineered for these variations of the 2013-2016 Dodge Dart:

2013-2016 Dodge Dart 2.0L Tigershark

2013-2016 Dodge Dart 1.4L MultiAir Turbo

2013-2016 Dodge Dart 2.4L Tigershark

The MultiAir system in your 2013-2016 Dodge Dart engine is able to instantly adjust the engine airflow to provide better fuel economy when you're just puttering around, and more power when you really step on it. To maximize the efficiency of this highly advanced variable valve timing system, the K&N 33-2491 replacement air filter uses a low restriction cotton gauze filter media. Plus it's reusable, and your factory warranty won't be affected.

K&N Cold Air Intake Systems

K&N 69-2547TS Typhoon Performance Intake System

A K&N 69-2547TS Typhoon Intake will give your Dodge Dart 2.0L Tigershark a lot more 'bite'

Although the 2.0L Tigershark is considered to be the base engine in the new generation 2013-2016 Dodge Dart, the MultiAir variable valve timing system is surprisingly advanced technology to be included at this pricepoint. So if you want to get the most out of this continuously adjusting air intake control system, then you'll need to install a K&N 69-2547TS Typhoon Performance Intake System. It's designed to maximize airflow to the engine by replacing the restrictive factory air box with an oversized high-flow K&N performance air filter that can capture and clean a higher volume of cold air than the paper OE Dodge Dart air filter. That oxygen rich air then travels to the motor through a low restriction aluminum intake tube, and once it's injected into the cylinders, it can create a much hotter detonation that releases more energy/horsepower from the gasoline. In fact, we installed this performance air intake on a 2013 Dodge Dart 2.0L, and dyno testing showed an estimated increase of 3.85 horsepower & 2.66 lb-ft of torque.

K&N 69-2548TS Typhoon Performance Intake System

The K&N 69-2548TS Typhoon Intake will give your 2013-2016 Dodge Dart Turbo a serious boost in power

Your 2013-2014 Dodge Dart 1.4L MultiAir Turbo is able to produce the power of a much larger engine by combining the airflow from an intercooled turbo, with the precision of the MultiAir VVT air intake control system. If you want to achieve the maximum effect of these two systems, then you need to check out the K&N 69-2548TS Typhoon Performance Intake System. It replaces the Dodge Dart Turbo intake system, with a high-flow K&N performance air filter that's connected to a low restriction K&N aluminum intake tube. Together, they send a large volume of cold air to the turbo, which then allows the intercooler to create a much colder oxygen-rich aircharge for the engine. To verify the performance gains, we installed one of these K&N Typhoon performance intake systems on a 2013 Dodge Dart 1.4T, and dyno testing revealed an estimated increase of 7.26 horsepower & 8.63 lb-ft of torque.

K&N Oil Filters

Get exceptional engine protection on your 2013-2016 Dodge Dart with a K&N PS-1017 Oil Filter

To improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce cost, many automakers will use the same parts on a number of different models. These interchangeable components can be purchased in bulk, and it keeps the line workers from having to slow down when different models come down the assembly line. This is why the following K&N Performance Oil Filters can be used across the 2013-2016 Dodge Dart model range.

Engineered for these variations of the 2013-2016 Dodge Dart:

2013-2016 Dodge Dart 2.0L Tigershark

2013-2016 Dodge Dart 1.4L MultiAir Turbo

2013-2016 Dodge Dart 2.4L Tigershark

K&N PS-1017 Performance Silver Oil Filter

It doesn't matter if your Dodge Dart has the 2.0L Tigershark, the 2.4L Tigershark, or the 1.4L MultiAir Turbo, a K&N PS-1017 Performance Silver Oil Filter can provide exceptional protection against dirt, sludge, and other harmful oil contaminates. It has the same high-flow and high filtration that K&N air filters are known for, because the low restriction filter media allows more oil to flow through. The increased oil flow rate means that more oil gets cleaned, faster. Plus the heavy duty canister is designed to handle the increased oil pressure that occurs during spirited driving.

A K&N Wrench Off Oil Filter protects your Dodge Dart engine during a race or the drive to work

K&N HP-1017 Wrench-off Oil Filter

Designed to endure extreme punishment on a racetrack, the K&N HP-1017 Wrench-off Oil Filter can protect your Dodge Dart engine, no matter where you drive it. It uses a unique resin-impregnated cellulose filter media that can remove 99% of the oil contaminants, while significantly increasing the oil flow rate for excellent engine protection at high RPMs. The heavy duty steel canister can withstand higher oil pressure, and damage from road debris. There's also a 1 inch hex nut welded to the top of the canister for easy wrench off removal. And if you need to pass inspection at a racetrack, you can attach a safety wire through the pre-drilled hole in the hex nut.

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The Epic Team-Up: Vaughn Gittin, Jr, Chelsea DeNofa Join Forces in Formula Drift

Mar 20, 2017

Formula Drift drivers Chelsea DeNofa and Vaughn Gittin, Jr. Team-Up in Mustang RTR Spec 5-Ds

It’s easily one of the most shocking but most impressive team-ups in Formula Drift. The Professional Fun Haver, Vaughn Gittin, Jr., and The Hard Charger, Chelsea DeNofa, join forces in Formula D for the 2017 season. However, Chelsea is leaving behind his trademark BMW for the Blue Oval and will run in a similar specification Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-D. We give you a sneak peek of both cars that will run with K&N filters on their Ford Motorsports engines.

Formula Drift driver Chelsea DeNofa three wheeling his Ford mustang RTR

Chelsea already feeling that "three-wheel motion."

It’s great to see Chelsea DeNofa — winner of last season’s Streets of Long Beach race — as a second driver for RTR Motorsports and become a K&N driver for the 2017 season. His “never say die and put it all on the line” attitude speaks volumes and will be a great mix with Gittin, the 2010 Formula Drift Champion. Chelsea will be competing alongside Vaughn Gittin Jr. all season in a unique liveried, identical spec RTR Spec 5-D.

Formula Drift driver Vaughn Gittin Jr three wheeling his Ford mustang RTR

Vaughn's proven he's ready for another championship.

The first event for both cars and drivers will be at the Streets of Long Beach on March 31st and April 1st in Long Beach, California. The temporary street circuit will be a challenge as new pavement has been put down and the walls are always a danger at any time. Last year, DeNofa went all the way for his first ever FD professional win and now has a championship proven team to back him up. With a new teammate under his banner, Vaughn also has an asset under his belt for more data but will challenge him behind the wheel. Could this team-up mean more wins for DeNofa and a championship for Gittin? Only time will tell but if 2016 was any indication, the world of Formula Drift isn’t ready for this.

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Jarett Andretti Shakes Off Rust With Top 10 Finish in USAC Season Opener

Mar 17, 2017

Jarett Andretti has put the #18 Andretti Short Track car eighth in the championship after one round.

Jarett Andretti made the most of a difficult opening weekend in USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Series

Jarett Andretti, driver of the Andretti Autosport Short Track #18 car, came away from the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Series season-opener at Bubba Raceway Park eighth in the championship. Challenged by a lost test night at the Florida track and a rained-out opening race, Jarett made the most of the weekend with an 11th-place finish Friday and a P9 result Saturday.

“Ocala is always a blow-off-the-cobwebs kind of race for us,” said John Andretti of Andretti Short Track. “A lot of [AMSOIL Series] competitors run sprint cars and midgets over the winter. We aren’t set up to do that.”

Nevertheless, Jarett ran fourth-quickest in the opening practice, but the green racetrack from recent Florida storms changed rapidly throughout Friday’s qualifying. Running in the middle of the qualifying field, the track went away from their setup and Jarett qualified 11th. After transferring to the Feature from his heat race, Jarett worked forward but had to back out from getting collected in two other competitors’ fight. That dropped him back several spots, forcing him to work his way back to P11 despite a minor driveline issue.

Jarett Andretti poses with the #18 Andretti Autosport Short Track car.

Jarett Andretti is following the Andretti tradition of USAC racing in the AMSOIL Sprint Series

Saturday night followed a similar story: Qualifying 11th and transferring to the Feature, then getting caught up in a bit of bad luck while following veteran Dave Darland. Jarett pushed through it to finish 9th, which is no small feat when knocking off the winter rust against a deep USAC field. It’s all part of a learning experience for Jarett, who often squares up with racers with decades of experience, some of whom raced John in USAC Sprint Cars.

“USAC just makes us better,” John said. “They’re gonna race us hard and that raises up our level. Winning a USAC race is as tough as an IndyCar or NASCAR Cup race because the talent is so deep.”

The rest of 2017 will find Jarett running 70 to 80 sprint-car races. That will include USAC races as well as a variety of events that fit into the schedule. Next up will be the opening round of Mansfield Motor Speedway’s Triple Crown Spring Series on March 25. That race reopens Mansfield, a former paved oval that was converted back to a dirt 0.4-mile oval, for the 2017 season.

Look for Jarett Andretti in USAC sprint cars and in other events that fit into the Andretti schedule

In just his second year of sprint-car racing, Jarett will run 70 to 80 races in 2017

A win there might bring them back to run the remaining pair of Triple Crown races the following two weekends. Otherwise, they’ll likely race at Indiana’s Lawrenceburg Speedway for the next AMSOil round on April 1. Knowing the track—Jarett has won there before in Midgets—gives some advantage in competing with the talent-filled USAC series in just his second year in sprint cars.

“Right now, Jarett is learning the guys [in the series] and what he needs to do to race around them,” John said.

Andretti Short Track will be running their DRC Chassis all year with the J&D Performance-built engines putting down big horsepower. Those engines get their air and oil through K&N filters, as does the engine on the team’s tow rig.

(Photos: Rick Lane Motorsports Photography]

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Irwindale To Host Historic Double-Header with K&N West Series & SRL Southwest Tour

Mar 17, 2017

The starter gives the green flag to the 2016 K&N Pro Series race at Irwindale

The starter waves off the field for the 2016 K&N Pro Series. Will you be there for 2017?

On Saturday, March 25th, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series together will make history by competing on the same night at Irwindale Speedway. The night will feature a 100 lap race for the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series and for the first time in series history, two 100 lap events for K&N Pro Series competitors.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series, which includes the East and the West, is the top step in NASCAR’s developmental ladder before a driver progresses to the three national series. The NASCAR K&N Series was previously known as – among other names – Grand National West, Winston West Series, and the Camping World West Series. It was actually formed in 1954, not long after NASCAR itself, as a way to develop the skills of drivers from the western US who couldn’t regularly travel to compete in the Southeastern US. The very first (of three) championships went to Lloyd Dane driving a Hudson Hornet.

Iwindale offers the chance to meet the rising stars of NASCAR before they become famous

Previous winner Patrick Staropoli raced in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series last year

NASCAR K&N Pro Series cars ride on a chassis based on the Generation 4 Sprint Cup design. The body is a composite design, but is comprised of separate pieces that are flanged and bolted together, so if a fender is damaged, only that fender needs to be replaced. Engines produce 625 horsepower, for reduced cost and reliability, versus the 850 horsepower produced by a Cup motor. The series competes on a mix of short tracks, larger ovals, and road courses to provide the drivers the experience on different types of circuits that they’ll need as they move up the ladder.

The SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series is a Late Model racing league operating since 1985, originally with NASCAR sanction as the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour and later AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series, and before being sanctioned by a group of West Coast racers under the premises of the Stockcar Racing League.

The cars feature a 101” wheelbase and weigh 2,900 lbs. All cars are fitted with a fiberglass body and are powered by a 362 CID Chevrolet, Dodge, of Ford V8.

Dave Reed Racing enters two cars in the Southwest Tour series, both supported by K&N

One of the Dave Reed Racing entries blows a little flame in exciting SRL Southwest Tour racing

While all NASCAR K&N Pro Series cars are required to use K&N Filters, in the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour races K&N will be represented by two cars entered by Dave Reed Racing and supported by Approved Memory.

The schedule for this big night at Irwindale Speedway will start off with qualifying, an on-track autograph session, and the first 100 lapper for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, followed by the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series “SPEARS Manufacturing 100”, and finally the second 100-lap event for the K&N Series.

Irwindale Speedway is located near the intersection of the 210 and 605 freeways, east of Los Angeles. The speedway offers 6,000 comfortable seats, twin paved oval race tracks (banked 1/2 and 1/3 mile), excellent sound and lighting systems, and paved parking for over 3,000 spectator cars.

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