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Despite developing a turbo SxS, Haagsma opted for the reliability non-turbo to win the WORCS title

“We came into it knowing I had to only finish half a lap,” Haagsma said. “I didn’t get a good jump at the start, so I just ran my own race and didn’t get into trouble. I’m really proud because the guys that did it before me were really good. We didn’t change one thing from last year.”

Haagsma tallied a total of seven podium finishes on the season. That consistency combined with two season wins was the recipe for success in the championship run.

The championship is especially impressive considering Haagsma competed in a naturally aspirated car in a class that allows the higher horsepower turbo engine configuration. Haagsma and his team decided that the reliability of the non-turbo setup, breathing through a K&N intake, was the smart season plan.

Haagsma has reason to smile with his strangle-hold on the WORCS SxS podium

“For me, the highs have to be the wins,” Haagsma said. “When those come and come frequently, I find myself quickly getting into a groove and staying confident. The lows are trying to stay focused when you run into problems that set you back. Over the years, I’ve patiently learned to relax and rebound quickly, then you find yourself right back on top. That’s also helped by confidence, so it’s a good package.”

Haagsma is no stranger to the top spot on the podium. However, since moving from ATVs to focus strictly on SxS racing, the 2017 championship is especially sweet.

“To be honest, this is the one I really wanted to get,” Haagsma told K&N. “To put yourself in the group of racers that also have back-to-back National Pro Championships says a lot. This one ranks up there for sure. I left my ATV program to come back home and really put my efforts towards this program.”

Big talent and a perfect racer's mindset have resulted in back-to-back Pro championships for Haagsma

“Everyone is out here with me,” said Haagsma, “My two mechanics, Allan and Theo, my engine builder Curtis Sparks, my car builder Justin Lambert at Cognito Motorsports, my rep Jason Reed, and my awesome sponsors that I couldn’t do without.”

Clearly, H&M Motorsports is a true family affair, and Haagsma told K&N that both his immediate and extended family are vital to his success.

“Most importantly, (I thank) my mom, dad, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, and all my friends that I consider family as well,” Haagsma said. “Lastly, I met my fiancée Paige last year, and having her in my corner and seeing the support she has for me in this business means a lot to me. I couldn't do it without all those people.”

After taking a moment to enjoy this year's championship, the H&M team has turned its attention to the 2018 WORCS season. Jason Reed, Marketing/Media Coordinator for H&M Motorsports, let us in on the planning and the team's goals.

Hagsam (#1) has emerged as the cream of the talented WORCS Pro SxS crop

K&N congratulates David Haagsma and his H&M Motorsports team on a second straight WORCS Pro SxS Championship. We are proud to be a vital part of the success.

Greg Anderson took the green light over teammate Jason Line at the NHRA Midwest Nationals

Anderson’s car wasn’t perfect. He even admitted he needed a little luck to beat his KB Racing teammate Jason Line in the final. The race was almost as close as possible. Anderson won by 0.026 seconds. “I didn’t expect to get around Jason,” Anderson said. “He had a great car all weekend. I knew it was tough and I knew it was going to take someone looking over me to get the win and it happened.”

KB Racing NHRA Pro Stock driver Jason Line lost in the final to teammate Greg Anderson

It was Anderson’s third win of the season and his seventh final round appearance. He has met Line 36 times in NHRA finals. Anderson is 20-16 against Line head-to-head. Three different NHRA Pro Stock drivers have won the first three races of the Countdown to the Championship. Butner won at Maple Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania. Tanner Gray won at zMAX Dragway in North Carolina to start the Countdown. Anderson said there could be six different winners in the Countdown and as many as five drivers in contention for the Pro Stock championship in the season finale at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California.

Greg Anderson holds up his Wally after taking the win at the NHRA Midwest Nationals

Anderson’s strategy at this point is to be within striking distance of the lead for the season finale. He is in the lead at the halfway point, but he knows how quickly that can change. “When we get to Pomona you just want to be in the lead or somewhere within 50 or 100 points of the lead,” Anderson said. “I would just about guarantee it when we get to Pomona, there’s going to be five cars alive on that day to win the championship. Crazy, crazy deal. Tough deal, but that’s what’s awesome about NHRA Pro Stock.”

Drivers Greg Anderson and Jason Line show their support for Las Vegas after the tragic events in Oct

Max Hazan of Hazan Motorworks took the top prize at the BikeFest Artistry in Iron show in Las Vegas

The biggest names in metal bending, performance tuning, tig welding, and paint spraying brought their customs to the neon capital of the world to square off against other international talents. Notable names like Steve Iacona, Yuichi Yoshizawa, Gilby Clarke, and Jordan Dickinson, as well as a host of young talents, brought their rolling works of art to Sin City.

The Artistry in Iron show is a magnet for the industry's best builders

The customs ran the gamut in terms of build styles and engines. Choppers, trackers, sport bike, and retro builds were represented. They were crafted around engines wearing the badges of Harley, Triumph, Ducati, Indian, and several other brands.

Here is a look at some of the innovative customs that graced the floor of the Artistry in Iron show.

Arnaud Mary brought this stretched Harley chopper over from his native France

Japanese-born Yuichi Yoshizawa offered up this aluminum clad sport custom

Dana Wolfe Hood's cool Ducati custom wears K&N air and fuel filters

Jon MacDowell of Bonneville Customs built this classic custom

Anthony Robinson of Gasoline and Coffee built this ultra-cool Triumph

Taber Nash of the Nash Motorcycle Company created this drag-styled Harley chopper

This cafe tracker hybrid Harley was built by Chris Eder of Epic Moto

Kirk Taylor of Custom Design Studios brought this Ducati-based tracker to the party

Glitzy choppers were rare at the event, but Gilby Clarke's massive build was a show-stopper

Mike Rabideau of Magik Mike Designs built a lean and clean chopper

K&N calendar model Karina Velez has roots in Columbia but lives in Orange County

She speaks fluent Spanish and loves to dance the salsa. Karina also enjoys snowboarding, though she is particularly confident about dancing, saying, “I can show you up in salsa dancing.” Whether stepping on the floor or shredding in the snow, Karina leads a very active lifestyle.

Karina Velez loves to dance the salsa in her free time but also enjoys snowboarding

Her list of clients is eclectic and impressive. She has modeled for “Vans, Nissan, Old Navy Mexico, and Disney.” She can do cars, clothes, shoes, and magical brands like Disney. She has met with a lot of success, but there have also been moments when modeling wasn’t so glamorous. Karina remembers her worst experience saying, “I was modeling for an e-comm clothing company and they didn't tell me I would be modeling their Halloween costumes. They were not cute.” Sequins, sparkles, fabrics! Oh my!

Besides horrendous Halloween costumes, Karina loves everything about modeling. She’s a free spirit; she slept in a tree house surrounded by the rainforest. Modeling is just another chance to find adventure. Karina is excited for the future, saying, “The world is pure magic, and I crave a lifetime of adventure, discovering all the beautiful things the world has to offer.”

IG Handle: @karinavelezz

Follow Karina on Instagram to keep up with her latest modeling shoots and adventures.

Elena Romanova was born in the Ukraine but moved to the United States where she currently lives

She also grew up there. Her childhood was filled with scholarly studies; she spent time reading and learning about psychology and philosophy. At age 16, she focused her attention on an ancient religious book. She attended high school in Russia, though she says, “I hated going to school.”

For a year, Elena attended college in Russia. She majored in English. Her time in college was filled with, “Lots of freedom, lots of parties till 6 am, lots of drinking." She describes this as "The most carefree year of my life.”

K&N calendar model Elena Romanova doubles as a pro fitness competitor

Since this brush of fate, Elena has booked a bunch of modeling gigs. She’s landed many magazine covers, and of course, modeled in the K&N calendar. She lists her favorite modeling memory as, “winning a fitness competition and becoming a WBFF Pro.” She is referring to World Beauty Fitness and Fashion Inc., a company concentrated on style and staying in shape.

Since this competition, Elena has continued her training and modeling. She is looking forward to competing again in the WBFF Worlds next year. When she's not on set or pulling a pose on stage, Elena has her nose in a book. She still loves to read. She also bartends. Though Elena never wanted to be a model, she has bloomed in this profession. Day by day, Elena stays slaying in fitness and fashion.

IG Handle: @elena88c

Follow Elena on Instagram to keep up with her latest shoots and competitions