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Modified Racer Elliott Despain Earns Two Weekly Racing Program Wins

Jul 22, 2011

Despain Motorsports' Modified Race Car

Elliott Despain is a perfect example of the cliché "persistence pays off", as he recently experienced two feature wins in their weekly racing programs, after a two year dry spell. Elliott and the Despain Motorsports team's luck began to sway in their direction when they rolled in to Junction City, Kentucky where they would race at the Ponderosa Speedway.

Modified Series Racer Elliott Despain

After laying down the second quickest time of the evening during the modified time trials, and winning the second heat, Despain entered the feature with a bode of confidence. Starting on the outside in the front row, he took the lead in the second turn, and managed to fight off Benji Lee for the victory in the twenty lap race. At the race's end, Despain said, "I want to dedicate this win to Pop (Elliott Despain's paternal grandfather, who passed away in October of 2011), as I know he is celebrating with us." The driver also dedicated his long-awaited victory to his parents, crew and patient sponsors.

After placing 13th in early July at the Midwest Modified Mania, at Moler Raceway, in Williamsburg, Ohio, Elliott Despain and his team headed for Lake Cumberland Speedway in Burnside Kentucky. At the night's end, Despain had managed to log yet another victory in the modified race action.

In fact, the driver was obviously in his zone on that particular night.

After posting the fastest lap in the modified qualifying race, he won his heat race, setting himself up in a great position for the feature. When the green flag dropped and the main was underway, Despain bolted to the lead and never looked back. Holding the number one position throughout the entire 20 lap event, he scored his ninth career victory.

Although plagued with a stretch of winless races, Despain's confidence level was fairly high prior to his victory at Ponderosa Speedway. Referring to his confidence level, the driver stated, "It was pretty good. We had some good runs for the month leading up to that night. We had a couple of fast times, a few heat race wins and a top five car in most features."

Recalling the race, he continued, "Well, we qualified good, won the heat and started 2nd in the feature so when all of that falls your way, that's always a plus for your race team. It was awesome! I'd been going there since I was a little kid and to finally be able to win one meant a lot to me." Referring to his dedication of the race to his grandfather, Elliott shared, "It meant the world to me. Pop was my biggest fan, and a big supporter. To stand there and know he was looking down on me was a great feeling!"

Of course the win was big to Elliott Despain and the Despain Motorsports team, if for no other reason, it was long awaited. On the other hand though, the victory served as a confidence booster that would play a part in the win at Lake Cumberland on the following week.

To suggest that a driver is going to win every time they pull their car on the track would prove ludicrous. However, Elliott Despain and his team have anticipations of continuing their winning streak. "To continue success, we just have to keep putting ourselves in good positions for the feature wins," explained Despain. "Good upkeep, qualifying well, and starting up front are good ways to continue success."

Speaking of upkeep, Elliott Despain is aware of the importance of maintaining his engine, and has been a fan and user of K&N products since 2005. According to the driver, he uses K&N air and oil filters. "They are the best in the business at all levels of racing," he explained.

Elliott Despain was quick to give his team and family kudos when asked if they played a roll in his recent success. "Without my mom and dad, I wouldn't be racing, so I have to thank them for what they do," shared the driver. "I have great people who go to the track and help us," he said referring to Dale Gorely and Mike Williams. "I also have to thank the remainder of my family as well. I have a lot of great sponsors, family and friends who make it possible for me to climb in that racecar. Without each and every one of them, there would be no Despain Motorsports. Thanks again."

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Michael Jordan Motorsports Celebrates Another Podium Finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Jul 22, 2011

Despite not being equipped with tricked-out factory parts, the MJM bikes have kept pace with the factory-owned teams.

Eight years into the motorcycle racing biz, K&N backed Michael Jordan Motorsports (MJM) continues to serve notice to factory-owned teams that its battle-on for podium rights. Last Sunday team rider Roger Lee Hayden earned his first-ever AMA Pro Superbike podium finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, bettering his fourth place finish from Saturday.

Team Technical Manager, Richie Alexander feels both riders are gelling nicely at this point of the 2011 AMA Pro Superbike Championship series.

"The weekend at Mid-Ohio was really good for me," Hayden said. "We were pretty solid on pace all weekend. The first race was going pretty good, but we made the wrong tire choice in the rear and it was having some problems toward the end of the race, and I lost touch with the leaders with two laps to go. For the second race, I switched rear tires and my National Guard Jordan Suzuki was working really well. It was a fun race and a hard battle. The top four guys were duking it out pretty hard. I got my first Superbike podium today and I'm really excited. It's been a long time coming. I've got to thank my team for working hard and believing in me. Now I look forward to Laguna Seca, a track I like and I've done fairly well there in the past, and to keep this roll going."

The team's Technical Manager, Richie Alexander, told K&N Race News "It is a big load off our shoulders getting Roger and his National Guard Jordan Suzuki on the podium at Mid-Ohio. The best part about it was that he was battling for the lead all the way up to the last lap. The team will carry the high note heading to Laguna and continue to improve on our finishes."

From sneakers to Superbikes, the Jordan brand continues to rule.

Teammate Ben Bostrom earned valuable points on Saturday finishing just outside the top-ten, then raced to a hard-fought sixth place in Sunday's event. The Mid-Ohio race is the sixth round of the 2011 AMA Pro National Guard Superbike Championship.

The second place finish at Mid-Ohio was Roger Lee Haydenâ€™s first-ever AMA Pro Superbike podium finish.

"I can't thank the Jordan Motorsports Suzuki crew enough for an amazing bike," Bostrom said. "On the restart yesterday, I was avoiding hitting Roger, got into the marbles and it shredded my tire. Today, I asked for more grip. The team delivered, but then she wouldn't steer and destroyed the front." Unfortunately Bostrom's choice of set-up wasn't optimal to showcase the bike's true potential.

"I'm looking forward to Laguna Seca as well, and doing my best to give Michael Jordan his first win for 2011," Bostrom added. "I am a true believer in his (Jordan's) quote, 'I failed over and over again and that's why I succeed.' I feel this has been my season and I am a terrible quitter. I will win!"

"Some of the team's strengths are thinking outside of the box," Alexander adds when asked about the team's evolution. "The team has always prided themselves with designing and building their equipment on their own. The team doesn't have any trick parts being trickled down from the factory. Some aspects the team needs to work on are continuing to develop the electronics and riders wishes."

Keeping on the subject of team development Alexander feels that both riders are really starting to come around at this point of the season. "The team has made some progress in the bikes and made them closer to the rider's wishes," he continues. "It is always tough starting the year with two new riders. The other teams have been on the same equipment with the same riders for three years now. The teams goals for the rest of the season are to continue getting on the box, and stride for the first win of the season!"

The Michael Jordan Motorsports team's next event of the 2011 AMA Pro Superbike Championship series is at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California on July 22-24, 2011.

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410 Winged Sprint Car Racer Justin Henderson's Victory at Port Royal Speedway

Jul 21, 2011

Winged Sprint Car Racer Justin Henderson

No one can make the accusation that Justin Henderson is not focused on racing, as he recently tackled a grueling schedule in Pennsylvania, competing in nine races in a ten day period.

Justin and his crew pulled into Lincoln speedway, at Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, on June 25, preparing to compete in their succession of races that would continue for several days. They ended up finishing 7th in the main, and were on their way to race on the following night at the Bedford Speedway, IN Bedford Pennsylvania.

Justin Henderson's 410 Winged Sprint Car

After finishing fifth at Bedford Speedway, Justin and his crew had a day off and the luxury of regrouping and reminiscing about the two previous races for a short time prior to showing up at Grandview Speedway, located at Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania, on June 28, where, after a water pump failure, they finished the A-Main in 19th place.

On the following night, the team pulled into Hagerstown Speedway, in Hagerstown, Maryland, with a determination to exceed the 19th spot where they placed during the previous race. A 12th place finish in the A-main, would leave them happier with this performance than the one before.

On the last day of June, Justin experienced more mechanical failures at the Port Royal Speedway, in Port Royal Pennsylvania, then went on to a 6th place finish in the B-Main on the first day of July, at the Williams Grave Speedway, at Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Although, Justin and his crew were likely exhausted by this time in their string of consecutive races, that was no indication that Justin had any inclination of tackling the final two races of this run less than full blast. In fact, on the following night, Justin earned a first place finish in the A-Main at the Port Royal Speedway.

July 3 was the final of nine races in a ten day period. Justin arrived at Selinsgrove Speedway, located at Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, and managed an 8th place finish in the A-Main. Now, it was finally time to take a short break from his hectic schedule and get a few days of rest before his next race.

Justin Henderson's PA Speedweek victory at Port Royal Speedway

Justin and his crew never thought twice about taking on the challenge of driving during Speedweek. They knew however, that this many races in such a short period of time would prove a challenge. "Well nine races in ten days is one of the most grueling schedules in June or July for any professional sport," shared the driver, "it's hot, and everyone's fuse is real short. Mental toughness is one of the most important assets you have that week," ensured Justin. "We bent a car right in the beginning, so we had to build a new car as well. Our team did a good job of pulling it together after some late week engine problems also. It's just plain tough," he continued. "It really allows our fans and racers to show how die-hard we are. I'm from the mid west, and am not use to this. And let me tell ya, it's die-hard."

Referring to the win on July 2nd, Justin said, "We really needed that win. Our team was down and out and after losing our good motor (to a burned piston) two nights before, We were forced to pull our lips off the ground and get down to business. Fast Freddie Rahmer, who is a legend in central Pennsylvania, jumped out to the early lead, but by lap 18, I had run him down. We passed him and held off Daryn Pittman for the win. Justin continued, "It meant the world to this small, underfunded team, to pull off a great win like that. I really think our biggest attribute to winning that night was the ability to forget the bad things that week and get tough when it counted."

When asked if he considered his success on the track as a team effort, Justin said, "This team means an awful lot to me. We're like a family, and when we bear down and fight back, there's nothing we can't accomplish. This team believed in me when times were tough last year. They got me a new crew chief (Jim Shriner), and we really communicate well."

Referring to maintenance of his car, Justin Henderson said, K&N filters have been a part of my race team since I arrived here in 2009. We wouldn't have it any other way. My dad does my motors, so let me tell you, I would be the first to know if we were letting dirt in somewhere.

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.

Michael Lewis Powers to Third in F3 Italia Points Standings and Leads the ROY Battle

Jul 21, 2011

The second and six place finishes in Misano powered Lewis into third place overall for the Italian Championship.

There's a paradoxical phenomenon that every racer exists in, a reality where as the outside world accelerates with blinding speed, their focus sharpens like a movie camera pulling in for a close-up, and their inner world becomes utterly serene. It is in essence a racer's ability to slow the world down that allows them to control it. Michael Lewis, the Laguna Beach, California phenom understands just how critical that reality is on the world racing stage of Formula 3 Italia Championship.

The 20-year-old Lewis says he's pushing as hard as possible to claim the Rookie of the Year title, it's his number one priority for the 2011 season.

"I am calmer and more confident compared to the first race weekend," Lewis told K&N Race News. "The calm manner we do this job with makes me more confident."

With his second and sixth place finishes during Rounds 3 and 4 at the Misano Circuit in Italy, Lewis moved into third place in the 2011 Formula 3 Italia Championship points standings and second place in the rookie championship battle (Update: after his strong finish in Imola last weekend Lewis now holds first place in the rookie championship - see below).

Lewis and the Prema Powerteam were off to a strong start for the weekend with Lewis recording fast lap times in both of the free practice sessions. When it came time to qualify on Saturday morning, Michael's Prema engineer, Fabio Zilio, and mechanic, Marco Sbabo, put together the right set-up, which allowed Lewis to record a lap time of 1:31.098 to place him third overall among the 16 drivers.

Michael Lewis says his he owes his success at Misano to his Prema team, as they worked very hard to get the car right.

"Qualifying well was our team's goal for the Misano weekend," the K&N sponsored driver remarked. "The Formula 3 Italia series is very competitive with its great drivers and teams, so to do well you must put together a strong qualifying effort. I owe my success at Misano to my Prema team, as they worked very hard to get the car right. I work closely with my team to make the best racecar possible, and then go out and drive."

With each successful round Lewis says he gets a little calmer and more confident.

Lewis started Round 3 third on the grid. When the lights went off and the 16 drivers launched, Lewis took charge, moving quickly into second on the exit of turn one. Lewis kept pace with the leader throughout the 30-minute timed race. When the checkered flag waved on lap 20, Lewis had a solid second-place finish, his second podium finish in three race events

Lewis mentioned that he also gained valuable experience with the tire degradation of the Kumho compound during the race. "Each lap, the balance of the car was changing, so I adjusted my references to best fit the situation."

Round 4 fired-up early on Sunday morning. Lewis started the race in sixth position on the grid this time, because the top-eight qualifiers from the first round of the weekend are inverted for the following round. Again Lewis got an excellent start and quickly moved into fifth place on the first lap and kept pace with the lead pack. Lewis was then forced into some defensive driving, however he managed to continue running competitive lap times, crossing the finish line in sixth place. Lewis' teammate, Raffaele Marciello won the race by leading every lap.

K&N's Michael Lewis was a fan favorite during the drivers autograph session prior to the start of the two 30-lap Late Model feature at Toyota Speedway.

"I was very pleased with our results at Misano," commented Lewis. "It means a lot to me to be able to run with the best and be competitive. I know it is important for me to be able to showcase all my sponsors, and because these race events are televised by RAI Sport live, there is an extra added benefit for my sponsors to gain valuable exposure during the race weekend."

After the rounds in Misano, Lewis returned to the United States during a break between Formula 3 Italia events to race a High Point Racing (HPR) Late Model car at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.

"I was excited to be back, as I was away from California for three months. Racing in Irwindale is only a one hour drive from my house, so it is essentially my home track," Lewis said. "In both races I was very fast, and with old/graining tires, I have a fast pace. With the high-grip set up for qualifying, I have some margin to improve my lap time. In any case, driving the Late Model cars were quite fun."

Lewis accepted the offer extended by HPR team owner Tim Huddleston to join his team for six Late Model events this summer at the Irwindale race track. "Any chance I get to race, I love it," Lewis adds.

After Irwindale, Lewis and the Prema team returned to Italy for Rounds 5 and 6 of Formula 3 Italia Championship in Imola, Italy on July 16 and 17. Lewis stalled his engine at the start of Round 5, and then raced from eleventh place to finish in sixth. In Sunday's race he finished a very solid fourth, and now leads the Rookie of the Year chase.

"I set the goal of becoming rookie champion. So far I am leading the rookie championship and I am P3 in the overall championship, so that is good. Setting the goal of the rookie championship is the only thing I picture. Other than that, I focus on what I must do currently without any expectations, and what I must do is push for first place. That's it."

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.

Dan Carter's 1969 Camaro Z28 Reacts at NHRA Route 66 Nationals

Jul 21, 2011

Dan Carter's Super Street 1969 Chevy Camaro Z28

Dan Carter and 43 other racers showed up to compete in the Super Street class of the 14th annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet, Illinois just outside of Chicago. After winning rounds one through four Carter drew a bye in round 5. In the final round Carter was matched up against Scotty Rienschield. Carter had a better reaction time than Rienschield but he couldn't pull off the win.

Dan Carter at the 14th annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals

Earlier Carter's car had mechanical problems that distracted him and left him frustrated. "The lights (reaction time) were much better this weekend," Carter said. "I found and repaired a problem in the carburetor that stopped the slow response when I smash it on the start. This eased my mind and allowed me to focus on the light." His focus paid off as his reaction times were getting better round by round.

Anyone who follows drag racing will be quick to agree that the sport is a game of microseconds. In fact, according to Dan, the object of the game is to be the first driver to cross the finish line, yet not be too fast. It's essential that each driver has a rapport with their car. Carter has been racing for 29 years and has been driving the same car, a 1969 Camaro Z28, throughout his entire career. Referring to the car, Carter said, "We've had it in the family since 1976."

When asked about the key to his success at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals, Carter credited it to a suggestion made by friend and fellow driver, Dan Fletcher.

"I tend to be too conservative," explained Carter. "I race not to lose, and when you do that, you often lose," he said in a laughing tone of voice. "If you take chances and push it to the limit, you win. After watching me in the first round, Fletcher basically said, if you do another 31 in the second round, you're going to lose. So I went back out there and let it rip for the remainder of the rounds." From here on out Carter is planning to race to win. He is also confident that the key to his continued success throughout the remainder of the season is focus and to be aggressive on reaction time.

Carter personally performs all preventive maintenance on his car. He is acutely aware of the importance in using the best products on the market. "I use all K&N filters on my engines, explained Dan. "I've been using K&N filters ever since I can remember. I've had good luck with engines, and they're the way to go."

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.

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