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Cole Custer is Victorious in his third career NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race

Rain or shine, Cole Custer delivers on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series

He won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Richmond International Raceway, his third in 16 starts.

He had to wait a day to win the Blue Ox 100. The race was scheduled for Friday night, but a three-hour rain delay postponed the start until Saturday morning.

Cole Custer in persuit of Nick Drake

Custer passed pole winner Nick Drake on lap 49 and led the remaining 52 laps. It was the only lead change in the race.

“We followed Nick in the early part, but part of it was I spun the tires on the first couple of restarts,” said Custer. “I finally figured it out and we got him on the restart.”

Custer started the race on the front row with Drake. There were five caution periods for 32 laps. A multicar crash on lap 41 set up the restart when Custer took the lead from Drake.

“I think we did get around lappers pretty good today,” Custer said. “I think we just caught them in the right spot. I was able to get off turn 2 pretty good.”

Custer opened the season by winning the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Phoenix International Raceway. He made his second K&N Pro Series East of 2014 start at Richmond.

Cole Custer burnsout to celebrate his Richmond International Raceway win

The 16-year old from Ladera Ranch, California, also won K&N Pro Series races at Iowa Speedway and New Hampshire International Speedway last year.

Ben Rhodes finished in second place at Richmond International Raceway, his fourth top-five finish in five races.

Cole Custer and team in Victory Lane

“I was trying to catch (Custer) though,” Rhodes said. “He had a really fast car. It was a really good day for us. I’m really happy with our finish.”

Rhodes leads the K&N Pro Series East standings by 18 points over Gray Gaulding. Gaulding was 11th at Richmond.

Drake crossed the finish line in third place, his second top-five finish of the season. It was his fifth career K&N Pro Series East start.

“At the end there, there was no grip. The track was pretty green,” Drake said. “You just couldn’t run those guys down at the end. We were OK if we were in the lead. I feel like just whoever was leading was going to stay our front due to the fact that there was no grip on the track. I’ll take a third.”

Austin Hill was fourth followed by Ronnie Bassett Jr. in fifth.

The next NASCAR K&N Pro Series race is the Casey’s General Stores 150 at Iowa Speedway on May 17.

At the end of last season the Martino Motorsports dragster only existed in an artist’s illustration

Ryan Martino, son of founder Tom Martino of the family-operated Martino Motorsports, has had an exceptionally jam-packed and eventful off-season. Amid a brutal winter of relentless sub-zero temperatures and record amounts of snowfall blanketing their Youngstown, Ohio, home, the Martinos have been busy readying their brand new K&N Filters rear-engine dragster for debut at the NHRA Spring Spectacle of Speed at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 25-27. Between maintaining a full schedule of personal appearances, the national drag racing standouts recently took time out to give us a firsthand look at their new ride, and to give us some insights into their hectic pace.

The Martino’s rear-engine dragster utilizes a K&N second-generation composite dragster scoop and a K&N air and oil filter

Ryan: NHRA Top Dragster in Division 3 is probably the most competitive category NHRA offers. We constantly see record low bump spots at almost every event throughout the year and each season we see the bump spot lower at least a tenth in our class. Heading into 2014 we knew we had to step up our engine program to help maintain our competitive edge over the competition.

Tom: Last September, we purchased a complete 665 cubic inch Ny-Trex nitrous injected engine combination which we were luckily able to break in before the end of the year in October. After a few passes in our 240” dragster, it was obvious we needed a longer car designed to handle the high-horsepower/high-torque output of the new motor. We were right on the edge with our 240” dragster and could have probably gotten the combination to work, but we didn’t want to invest half of our 2014 season experimenting with how to tame the car down from track-to-track.

The new car is a 260” Mac Sherrill rear-engine dragster

Ryan: It was an easy choice for us to decide on who we wanted to build this new car. We’ve had a great working relationship with Mac Sherrill Race Cars in Sheffield Lake, Ohio over the years and have had great success in Super Comp and Top Dragster competition since we purchased our first Mac Sherrill dragster in 2005.

The father and son team have been actively involved with the Plant the Seed to Read Festival for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County

Tom: Mac truly outdid himself on this project. The new car is flat-out set up to go fast and is equipped to handle anything we can throw at it. The new car is a 260” Mac Sherrill Rear-Engine Dragster which features a fully-custom R&R Auto Body paint design.

Ryan: What’s fascinating with this new car is that it’s nearly an all Ohio equipped vehicle. Ohio is definitely a hidden treasure in the automotive industry and we are lucky to have some of the industries’ best right in our back yard. We have a full schedule planned in 2014. Our main focus will be to make a strong run for the NHRA Division 3 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series title. We also plan to compete in Top Dragster at select IHRA and PDRA events when our schedule allows, along with Quick 8 events at Quaker City Motorsports Park and Thompson Raceway Park.

Tom: We are also very fortunate to have a strong list of associates returning to our program in 2014. Anchoring the list of associates returning to Martino Motorsports in 2014 is K&N Filters. It’s truly been an honor and privilege to represent K&N Filters over the years. We have been long time fans of the K&N product lines in both our race cars and personal vehicles. Our new NHRA Top Dragster will utilize the K&N second-generation composite dragster scoop with K&N air filter (part # 100-8512) and K&N oil filters (part # HP-3002). New to our program this season will be the addition of Victory1 Performance; R&R Auto Body; RePlayXD Cameras; and Applied Racing Components (ARC). These associates have been a major part of our success over the years. 2014 wouldn’t be possible without their strong support and dedication to our racing program.

Ryan: In between putting the new car together, we have also been actively involved with off-season personal appearances for associates of our race team and our community since November. We’ve met a lot of great fans from all over the world at these events, many of which we look forward to seeing at the track in 2014.

Deaknbuilt LLC Racing recently opened their season at Primm, Nevada, in the Battle At Prim

For the past six years, Deaknbuilt LLC has been competing as a team in the sport of racing. In fact, the crew is likely somewhat closer connected than other teams. It goes much deeper than a group of people with a passion for the sport.

"Our entire team is family and close friends," shared Jeremy Deakins. His team consists of his father and mother, wife and daughter; his brother, Trever, uncles Glen and Gary. The team had grown accustomed to and found strength in the spiritual leadership of his grandfather, Shelby Wise, as well. However, this race would be a great deal different.

In fact, each and every member entered this event with a heavy heart, as they had learned earlier of his passing. One could only imagine the sadness the team was feeling. Nevertheless, in spite of the terrible news, they opted to remain and compete in the Battle at Prim at Nevada, if for no other reason, out of respect for him.

"We knew that he would have wanted it no other way," explained Jeremy. "We had known of his (bad) health for a while, and he had prepared us for that day." Looking back at previous events, he continued, "It was definitely the hardest emotionally, but we encounter different challenges every race. So as long as we work as a team. . . we manage."

Lining up in the 1400 unlimited sportsman's class of the Competition 1400 series, they were prepared to embark upon a two day event consisting of a succession of four, 16-mile laps before the races were deemed over.

Prior to the Battle at Prim, the Deaknbuilt LLC Racing team learned of the passing of a family member. However, they remained to race in the event, as they were confident that’s what he would have preferred

Pulling a 16th spot starting position, Jeremy Deakins and his fellow team members were confident of what would transpire in the laps to come. "We know we prepare the truck well for the races," ensured Jeremy. "The team does all of the work ourselves in the shop. So we don't like to think about how many trucks are in front or behind." When asked the key to success at this particular event, he reiterated, "Having a well put-together team that preps the truck well for every race."

According to Deakins, the truck handled fairly well during the first day of racing. However, they considered the front suspension somewhat soft and the rear tires weren't grabbing optimal traction. That in mind, the crew made a few adjustments and added a little weight to the rear of the vehicle prior to day two. When the waving of the green flag deemed the final day underway, it didn't take long to conclude they had made the proper decision. "It made a big difference," recalled Jeremy.

Starting 11th on the final day of racing, Deakins' had managed to roll into 7th place by the third lap. Things were looking promising. However, in the world of racing, it's not over until it's over. As fate would have it, bad luck would soon thereafter rear its ugly head. With in the neighborhood of three miles separating them from the finish line, all chances of success quickly dwindled upon experiencing transmission failure.

Although the team faced adversity during the opening race of the season, they are anticipating what lie ahead during the remainder of 2014. Jeremy Deakins and the crew have an acute understanding that the team's close-knit relationship is the backbone of their program. They also understand the importance of keeping their truck perfectly maintained. In turn, they depend upon K&N products to ensure the internal components of their engine remains contaminant free.

In reference to proper maintenance he said, "it's just as important as everything else. It all has to be consistent in order to do well." One would suspect that consistency is one of the attributes that they appreciate most about the K&N products they use on their race vehicle.

"We use K&N air filters, oil filters, fuel filters, and the fuel filter housing," he explained. "We use the K&N mini filters for the oil breather and their degreaser for cleaning. We've been using them for about four years now and have never had a problem."

"It's a great product," he continued. "Like earlier stated, we have yet to have a problem. We put hundreds of miles on these products every year and have always had great results."

Looking forward to the remainder of 2014, Jeremy Deakins directed a gesture of thanks to the fans for their support. When asked what their plans are for the remainder of the season, he concluded, "Competition 1400 Series championship and some good racing."

RCD displayed a 2013 GMC 2500 HD with the RCD 6” suspension system as their booth vehicle at SEMA

Teamwork has been the cornerstone to continued success throughout the years for San Diego based Race Car Dynamics, Inc. RCD is a renowned, well respected, and thoroughly proven off-road suspension systems manufacturer that has evolved from nearly 40 years of manufacturing experience by the Asbury family. Over the years they have maintained their vision to design, develop, and produce cutting edge products. Their creed is simple: Quality products, superior design, made in the USA.

For one of their feature vehicles RCD displayed the new 2013 Ford F-150 with the RCD 6” suspension system

The company has two facilities located in San Diego County which house their four divisions – RCD Suspension, RCD Classics, RCD Powersports and RCD Defense. The latter being where vehicles with very specific applications are designed for government agencies.

“RCD has been attending SEMA since the company’s inception back in 2000. Prior to that time, the Asbury family, principals of RCD, have been exhibiting at the SEMA show for more than 30 years,” explains Director of Operations and Sales, Tamara Fisher.

RCD’s second feature at the 2013 SEMA show was a 2000 Jeep Cherokee, complete with suspension system, roof rack, and front and rear bumpers

“RCD tends to bring a minimum of two vehicles, and usually we bring many more, last year we exhibited our new 2013 GMC 2500 HD with the RCD 6” Suspension System as our booth vehicle. As feature vehicles we displayed the new 2013 Ford F-150 with the RCD 6” Suspension System and the 2000 Jeep Cherokee, complete with suspension system, roof rack, and front and rear bumpers.”

“RCD believes that the more exposure you allow yourself at SEMA the better off you are. An attendee should be reminded that RCD is a key player in the automotive industry. Feature vehicles are an easy way to accomplish this goal.”

Whenever RCD plans a new project build, K&N is one of the first vendors they always seek out

Fisher has been with RCD in one capacity or another since its beginning and she fully appreciates “the privilege of working with some of the best in the industry from engineering to production, sales and accounting.” It’s an understandable stance being that she grew up going to the desert with her parents and her two brothers. “My first off-road vehicle was a mini-bike. It was thrilling to get to ride, especially in sand, when I was a child. To this day, I love to go fast!” says Fisher.

“Whenever RCD does a project build, K&N is one of the first vendors we seek out. K&N has one of the best reputations for quality, durability and functionality. For example, we put K&N air filters on all of our vehicles. They are easily cleaned and reused and don’t seem to ever wear out. Our engineer had over 250,000 miles on a single air filter. So K&N is a product that we believe in and use.”

“We are looking forward to the 2014 SEMA show,” Fisher adds. “We will be displaying another new vehicle in the booth and are excited about our full line of accessories for late model trucks and Jeep. We will also have several feature vehicles around the show floor.”

Tournament fisherman Shawn Norfolk coaxed this trophy largemouth from Castaic Lake in California. Although not competing in a tournament on that particular day, he had managed to boat the most impressive largemouth bass of his life

Raised on a Maryland farm, Shawn Norfolk acquired a passion for the sport of fishing at an early age. Referring to the family's property, he recalled, "We fished in the pond as much as possible. My grandmother lived on the Patuxent River, and we fished there all the time as well."

California native, Shawn Norfolk, Depends upon a K&N intake system to ensure his Honda Ridgeline gives him optimal performance

Eventually moving to California, Norfolk was introduced to a totally different environment from the life he had grown accustomed to. However, it didn't take long to figure out that fishing was good on the west coast as well. In fact, that's when his passion for bass fishing increased exponentially. "Once I move to California and caught a few of these big hybrid bass out here," he explained, "I really got into it hard."

And "get into it hard" he did. Norfolk eventually began to compete in tournaments held throughout his section of the state. In fact, he has been fishing against fellow anglers for in the neighborhood of 15 years.

When asked how he got introduced to competitive bass fishing, he said, "One of my fishing buddies suggested I do it. I had always just fished for fun prior to that. I finished third, and that was that. . .I was hooked," no pun intended.

Still a California resident, Norfolk has the luxury of living in an environment where the temperatures never dip to a point that will adversely affect fishing. "Luckily you can fish year around," he shared. "The tournament schedules vary widely, but that's what's cool about fishing in Southern California. The water is never frozen, and the bite is always on. The best time of the year, out here, though, by far is March April and May. That pre-spawn reaction bite is fun, and once the spawn starts, that's when you catch the big 'uns."

In the middle of raising a 12 and a 15 year old and with a full time job, the angler strives to fish as close to home as possible but that's no indication that fishing opportunities are sparse. Norfolk manages to juggle his time in a manner that he can fish as a co-angler in Top Stick sponsored events, and is also scheduled to compete in the Castaic Float Tube tournament series.

Judging from previous success, the angler will likely be a force to be reckoned with during his upcoming tourneys. His largest catch during a tournament weighed in at 9 pounds and eight ounces. This is an impressive number, no doubt. However, the angler has managed to coax three fish, tipping the scales at double digits, from the water during his recreation time.

"I caught all three at Castaic Lake. Two years ago, on a weekday, I hit the lake for two hours before work, and spotted a big shadow in the water," recalled Norfolk. "So I tossed out my Zipper ZitZit to find out if this shadow was a big fish or a stump. I saw the shadow head out to deeper water, so I decided to stay there and figure this thing out."

Watching as the shadow continued to reappear and swim back into the depths he cast his white lure in the general direction of the fish. Watching as his lure disappeared, he set the hook, landing a 10-pound largemouth bass.

Returning to the same section of the reservoir at the workday's end, the angler enticed another trophy into biting. She was the biggest catch of his life, weighing in at a staggering 13-pounds and 15-ounces. Norfolk also managed to catch another double digit bass, on a different date, at the upper lake in Castaic.

Well, the proof's in the pudding, and Shawn Norfolk is an obvious candidate for success in the tournaments to come. And even though he is a co-angler in one series and paddles a float tube in the other, he must still consider keeping an engine fine tuned and in tip top running condition. Without the aid of his Honda Ridgeline, he could not make the tourneys prior to their designating starting times.

He is a firm believer in K&N products and depends upon their expertise and quality to ensure his vehicle performs to its best ability. "I'm on my second Ridgeline and have used the K&N intake system on both of them," he ensured. "K&N stands for quality. You never have to worry about performance when K&N is involved. It's a no-brainer.

"I use K&N filters on my motorcycles, and have since the early 80s. I don't get to ride like I used to though, mostly because I've replaced my seat-time with fishing time and family time. . .I've been using K&N since I was a little kid (in the neighborhood of 35 years) on my 80 cc two strokes."

Looking to the future, Shawn Norfolk concluded, "I'm going to win a float tube tournament this year, win a big-fish award, be in the box in a Top Stick tournament, and outfish the guy on front of the boat every time. That's how it's going down this year."