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Cody accepts trophy for a win at a King of the Wing feature race in Stockton.

Cody Gerhardt of Madera, California, grew up in a family that raced and built sprint cars. His dad Kevin and his uncle Kent, and their father and grandfather have all participated in sprint car racing. In Fact, a major race in the USAC Pavement Sprint Car Racing Series is the Gerhardt Classic, a 100-lap race on a 3/8-mile track that’s named after Cody’s great grandfather. And yes, Cody has competed in the race and in his rookie season qualified seventh in a field of 15 cars and finished eighth.

Western Speed Racing Team #40 and #60 cars finish second and third at Madera Speedway in 2016.

He won the Northern, Southern, and Western United States Midget Championships in 2010.

The fourth generation Gerhardt to race got started when his father bought him a quarter midget.

The fourth generation Gerhardt to race got started when his father bought him a quarter midget

He progressed through the USAC Ford Focus Midget Racing Series and the Mini-Sprint Series and then on to racing winged pavement sprint cars.

While he was moving through the classes from midget to sprint wing cars, Gerhardt’s dad and uncle started Western Speed Racing in 2002. Cody joined the team in 2009.

The team, which also includes racer Dylan Nobile, competes in California in the Western King of the Wing Series and in Indiana, Idaho, Washington, Utah, and Arizona in the National King of the Wing Series. Drivers that have raced for the team include Jason Leffler, Tony Stewart, Bobby Santos, and Dave Steele.

Cody and the team had to overcome some setbacks. For example, in 2015 Cody’s dad and uncle built a brand new car that featured a Diablo Chassis. Although they finished second in points in the Western Series and the vehicle was very competitive, they still experienced steering box issues throughout the campaign and had to keep changing it out.

“If we didn’t have that problem I’m sure we would have won the championship, but we had a couple of DNFs,” said Cody.

According to Cody, the car wasn’t ready to race at the beginning of this season because the engine wasn’t complete.

“So in the first event of the year I had to drive Ken Hamilton’s famous Pink Lady and I finished second,” he said. “We missed the next race due to an accident with our car that happened in practice.”

However, they won the BCRA Midget Car Feature on May 7th and the Winged Sprints on June 11th. Both events took place at the Madera Speedway.

In the June 11th race, Cody qualified the Western Speed Racing’s #40 Winged Sprint car 2nd with a 12.851 time and placed 2nd in the second heat race. Dylan Nobile qualified the team’s #60 car 4th with a 12.888 time and finished 3rd in the second heat.

Cody started 5th in the 3rd row and Nobile started 3rd in the second row.

Both drivers were held up for 11 laps of the 30-lap race. Cody was in 5th and Dylan made a pass on the outside to capture 3rd place. Dylan finished 2nd after fighting to make a pass for the lead and Cody took 3rd.

Western Speed Racing will compete on July 9th in the 13th Annual Gerhardt Classic at Madera Speedway.

According to Cody, the team will be racing in eight to nine more races including the Gerhardt Classic. He added that some events are in California and some take place in other states such as Washington and Idaho.

K&N Engineering is a major sponsor of the Western Speed Racing Team and a valued partner.

“K&N has been sponsoring the team for eight years and sponsoring me through my career before I joined the team,” he said. “I’ve had a great relationship with K&N. They are great people to work with. Every time we needed something, they were on it right away.

Other sponsors of the Western Speed Racing Team include Lucas Oil, K1Racer Gear, University Market, Fresno Van Rental, Anderson Landscaping, XRP, Steele Performance, Johnny’s Muffler Services, Brannon Corporation, Yak Graphics, Dennis’s Body Shop, Truck Covers USA, Nobile Truck Accessory and Performance Trailers, Inc., and Paul Eskesen Motorsports.

The K&N HA-5015 is purpose-built for the Honda Pioneer 500 with replacement hoses, vents and special seating bead.

There are more than a dozen UTV (utility task vehicle) manufacturers mixing it up in the all-terrain working, recreational riding, and racing arenas, all of them looking to build the next big thing. They have gone big (up to six-seaters) and they have gone small (two-seaters just 50 inches wide) and there are more than 70 vehicles to choose from.

The K&N HA-5015 is designed to fit into the factory air box using the OEM clamp.

Just introduced in late 2014 for 2015 is Honda's new Pioneer 500, the smallest side-by-side in the Pioneer line, but perhaps truly the next big thing. It is the company's first in the growing 50-inch category and a showcase for Honda engineering and innovation.

The Pioneer 500's width gives it access to restricted ATV riding trails, allows it to be loaded into a full-size pickup and is still comfortable for two adults to ride on a bench seat with individual backrests. The doors utilize automotive-style latches with vibration isolators and a unique attached window net system. It can carry an additional 450 lb. on the oversized rear rack and tow up to 1,000 lb. All good.

Even better: the power plant and drivetrain. The 475-cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled gasoline engine is closed-loop fuel-injected and mounted longitudinally, with power routed directly to the wheels. The five-speed electric paddle-shifter transmission is a first for the industry and has steel gears, not belts or chains, giving the driver more control and the vehicle more longevity. An independent rear suspension system combines with an open front differential and a locked rear axle, providing better handling and traction, and one of the smoothest rides available. Widely complimented as fun to drive, responsive, agile, and well-built, the Pioneer 500 has a lot to offer. It promises to gain popularity and be put to good use well into the future.

For normal-duty activities, like trail riding and moving materials around the ranch or worksite, blazing speed is not a necessity, but a few more horsepower and enhanced acceleration will help get everything from here to there more efficiently. The way to boost efficiency and protect the engine is with a purpose-built replacement engine air filter, and K&N has designed and engineered the HA-5015 air filter specifically for the 2015-2016 Honda Pioneer 500.

As is standard among K&N's replacement air filters, the HA-5015 will fit directly into the factory air box with an application-specific sealing bead to ensure a precise fit. No fuel management adjustments are needed. Owners can do the installation themselves using the instructions provided, or have their mechanic help out. The OEM clamps and holder are used with K&N's replacement vents and hoses.

The filter itself was developed for off-road, motocross, ATV, and UTV activities: anticipating lots of dirt involved here. K&N's founders were off-road motorcycle racers who needed a better air filter to finish and win, and they came up with the oiled cotton technology that is still the basis for their filter products. The multiple layers of pleated cotton gauze present a larger surface area than the factory filter to capture more particles and better protect the engine. Each filter is tested and perfected. The HA-5015 showed overall particle reduction numbers of 98.17 percent. That's catching a lot of dust and keeping it out of the engine.

Each K&N replacement air filter is designed with high-flow pleated cotton gauze to increase horsepower and enhance throttle response by getting more (and cleaner) air into the intake.

To keep the filter at that level of performance, it needs to be inspected and cleaned regularly (and certainly more often than on-road vehicles). Owners can set their own schedules, depending on riding conditions and make it a part of their regular service routine. The process is straightforward and quick. After removing the filter, use K&N's Power Kleen to loosen particles, rinse in running water, let it dry completely, then re-oil with K&N air filter oil and re-install.

By investing in the K&N HA-5015, UTVers will keep disposable air filters out of landfills and their Pioneer 500s will get a well-protected intake system to keep them on the trail or on the job with extra power and efficiency for years to come.

To shop for the K&N HA-5015, visit the K&N's online application search to find the correct filter for your UTV, then refer to the K&N dealer search to locate a K&N dealer near you to make your purchase.

The K&N HA-5015 replaces the following part numbers:
Honda 17254HN1000

The K&N HA-5015 replacement air filter can be fitted to the following Honda UTVs:
2016 HONDA SXS500M2 PIONEER 475 - All
2015 HONDA SXS500M2 PIONEER 475 - All

Bill McAnally Racing teammates Todd Gilliland and Chris Eggleston battled for the majority of the Napa/Toyota 150, at Colorado National Speedway.

Chris Eggleston won his second NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race in a row and Gracin Raz finished on the podium for the second straight West Series race at Colorado National Speedway. Both drivers are moving in the right direction after getting off to slow starts.

Chris Eggleston, #50, took home his second win in a row at the Napa/Toyota 150, at Colorado National Speedway.

Eggleston won the NAPA/Toyota 150 at Colorado National Speedway leading 102 laps. The start of the race was delayed two hours because of rain. Once the race started, Eggleston and his Bill McAnally Racing teammate Todd Gilliland, who won the pole for the race, battled for the lead.

"We had a really well-balanced race car and I knew that all day in practice," Eggleston said after the race. "Just so skeptical of when the rain came and what it was going to do. We didn't fire off as good as we wanted to on that initial start, but it seemed like we were really good on the long runs."

Eggleston won the previous K&N Pro Series West race at Orange Show Speedway in California. Raz is slowly improving as well. He was third in the K&N Pro Series race at Colorado National Speedway and second in the race at Orange Show Speedway. Raz said he was happy to see the rain. It not only helped cool down the track, but it gave his car some time to cool down and perform better in the race.

Eggleston adds his second race winner sticker to his #50 car this season.

Todd Gilliland wan the pole for the Napa/Toyota 150, at Colorado National Speedway, making it the third pole he has won this season.

"It was really good. I was kind of hoping for the rain before the race," Raz said. "Our car was pretty hot during the day. We were struggling a little bit in the heat. I'm glad it cooled down the track a little bit. I think we got our car hooked up at the end. We just needed a little more drive off. I think we could have had something for the 50 (Eggleston) and the 16 (Todd Gilliland) there at the end. Almost got the 16."

While Eggleston and Gilliland battled for the lead, there were 11 lead changes in the race, Raz maneuvered his way around the track trying to hold of Ryan Partridge, who won the K&N Pro Series West race at Colorado National Speedway in 2015, and Blain Perkins.

"There was definitely some door-to-door racing tonight," Raz said. "Our restarts were definitely critical, not losing spots. Definitely pretty hard to pass. This car has been treating me pretty well. Looking forward to working with this car more and more, see if we can end up putting it in Victory Lane again."

After a rain delay, Chris Eggleston edged out fellow teammate Todd Gilliland and Gracin Raz for the win.

Raz won the first race of his K&N Pro Series West career at All American Speedway in California last year. After the race at Colorado National Speedway, Raz is seventh in the K&N Pro Series West standings after five races. He has three top-10 finishes.

Todd Gilliland was second in the race at Colorado National Speedway and maintained his lead in the K&N Pro Series standings. He led the first 23 laps of the race and was out front for 45 laps. Gilliland is four points ahead of Eggleston in the K&N Pro Series West standings.

"We had a shot at it there at the end. It was a great battle between Gracin Raz, myself, and Chris Eggleston," Gilliland said. "It's cool for him to get the win in front of his hometown here. It is cool, but I wish we could have gotten him at the same time. You can't win them all. We'll go get them at Sonoma."

The next K&N Pro Series West race is Chevy's Fresh Mex 200 at Sonoma Raceway in California on June 25.

Noah Gragson celebrates after winning the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Stafford Speedway in Connecticut.

Noah Gragson won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut, leading the last lap in a green-white-checkered flag finish. Gragson led two laps in the race and won the first K&N Pro Series East race of his career.

Noah Gragson puts a Race Winner Decal on his car after winning the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Stafford Speedway in Connecticut.

“I didn’t win this race,” said Gragson, one of 11 drivers selected for the NASCAR Next program. “The team won this race for me. I’m just pumped up to be here in Victory Lane.” The drivers in the NASCAR Next class are considered to be the future stars of NASCAR and stock car racing. They are selected by industry executives, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Drivers Council and media.

J.A. Junior Avila spun out with three laps to go in the Stafford 150. The ensuing caution flag set up a green-white-checkered flag finish. Gragson started third. Todd Gilliland was in the lead. Gragson passed Gilliland on the white-flag lap and went on to win the race.

Noah Gragson and his NASCAR K&N Pro Series team won their first East Series race at Stafford Speedway in Connecticut.

“That was crazy,” Gragson said. “I knew the 44 (Dillon Bassett) was going to run Todd up in 1 and 2. I knew I could get under them. They both went up high down there. I finally got them down in 3 and 4 and down the front straightaway. I am just so pumped up to be back in Victory Lane.”

Gilliland dropped all the way to fifth place. Bassett was second, followed by Spencer Davis in third.

“What can I say; overall a good night,” Davis said. “All four fingers are on the race car. Another top three finish, bid our time the whole trying to steer clear of everyone. At the end, just bought our time on restarts on the top and got a lucky break on the last one.”

Gragson won the third NASCAR K&N Pro Series race of his career. He won two K&N Pro Series West races last year and the Sunoco Rookie of the Year.

Noah Gragson led two laps and won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race on a green-white-checkered flag finish at Stafford Speedway in Connecticut.

“There’s no other experience like it,” Gragson said. “I climbed the fence and was pumping up the crowd. To be with all my guys smiling in Victory Lane, it’s just the perfect moment.”

The cars line up for the start of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Stafford Speedway in Connecticut. Spencer Davis (41) started fifth, Todd Gilliland started sixth and Noah Gragson (7) started seventh.

Dominique Van Wieringen led 88 laps in the race, the most of any driver. She took the lead on lap 3 and was out front until lap 90. She set the record for the most laps led by a female driver in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race. She spun out on lap 91 and finished in 16th place.

Gragson’s next race is at Sonoma Raceway for the K&N Pro Series West Chevy’s Fresh Mex 200 on June 25. The next race for the K&N Pro Series East is the NAPA 150 at Columbus Motor Speedway on July 2.

Scott Free Racing’s 30-foot Boatfloater.com race boat skims the water as it speeds through the course off Cocoa Beach, Florida, in 2015.

Steve Kildahl, a resident of Sarasota, Florida, and owner of Central Marine Services, a boat repair shop in Sarasota, wanted to race boats with his brother Scott. So in 1985 he started to form a racing team. But before the formation of the team was complete, Scott was paralyzed and passed away soon after.

Scott Free Racing competes in a 30-foot Extreme that has a top speed of 95 mph.

To honor his brother, Steve completed the creation of the racing team and called it Scott Free Racing and now he and his son Stephen race boats in Florida, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.

“My dad always had a passion for boats and boat racing. He’s been around boats his whole life,” explained Stephen, who lives in Ft. Myers, Florida and is the driver and vice president for Scott Free Racing, Inc. “After his brother died, he decided to name the team Scott Free Racing to acknowledge that Scott was free of all his disabilities.”

So as Steve developed a reputation racing boats, Stephen, who is now 25, grew up around the marine repair shop and watching his dad race.

It wasn’t long before the son had the same passion for boats as the father and he began to race boats himself when he was 10.

“I raced a Mercury Water Mouse boat with the American Power Boat Association,” explained Stephen. “It gave kids a chance to get to know what offshore racing was like.

“There were different types of boat racing including drag racing and kneel down race boats, but there wasn’t anything that catered to offshore racing. So Mercury formed this class, my dad supported and helped to promote it and I raced in it until I was 13.”

After a couple years off from the sport, Stephen joined his dad.

“We race a 30-foot Extreme in the Super Boat Vee Class,” continued Stephen. “It’s a canopy racing boat powered by a key single engine. It has a top speed of 95 mph and is very competitive.”

He explained that teams in the class are permitted to build engines to specific specifications. “Still, the boats are pretty much the same. So it comes down to the skill of the person driving the boat as to who’s going to win,” he said.

Races take place in oceans, lakes, and rivers. Half of the races the Kildahls compete in are in Florida, so races occur in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The second half of the season is spent competing up north at such places as the St. Clair River in Michigan. About five to 10 boats compete in each event.

Courses are arranged in a circle and can range from 4-1/2-miles to 5-miles in length.  A race usually includes 12 laps for a total of 54 miles.

“It’s like NASCAR on water,” said Stephen.

There are two organizations that sanction events in which the Kildahls compete, Super Boat International, which sanctions most of their races in Florida; and the Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA), which sanctions the races in which the Kildahls compete in the north.

Each organization presents seven to 12 races a year. To compete in the Super Boat International World Championships in Key West, Florida, you must compete in at least three Super Boat International events or you were the world champion the previous year.

Both organizations have point standings, but the Kildahls compete only in the Super Boat International points competition. “We don’t compete in enough races to be in the OPA points standings,” said Stephen.

The Super Boat International World Championships is the most important event for the Kildahls every year.

“It is a week long event,” said Stephen. “Racers come down from all over the U.S. to compete and there are three different races, one each on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Whoever gathers the most points out of those three days is the world champion.” Scott Free Racing has competed in the event for more than 32 years and has won three world championships, four national championships, and three Florida championships.

Steve and Stephen Kildahl of Scott Free Racing accept the first place trophy and check after winning the Lake Race.

The boat has a crew of two. Stephen drives while his dad serves as throttle man. “There is a lot going on in the boat than what most people think,” explained Stephen. “The driver’s main responsibility is to steer the boat. The throttle man is responsible for the speed of the boat, control of its attitude, the propeller, and balance of the boat in rough conditions. The reason why there’s a crew of two is because it takes a lot to set up the boat when the waters are rough and the boat is flying in the air.”

This year so far Scott Free Racing has competed in two races. Eight races remain on the schedule. In their first race in Cocoa Beach, Florida, the Kildahls suffered a mechanical failure, so they didn’t finish. They won their second race.

In 2015 Scott Free Racing participated in five races. They won one and finished third in two of them.

“The last race of the year was the World Championship in Key West. Another boat ran into us and damaged our boat’s canopy. It took us out of the event and it took most of the offseason to rebuild the boat.”

Gary Armington re-constructed the fiberglass on the canopy on the boat. Stephen noted that they perform their own rigging and regularly test and maintain the boat.  Innovation Marine, a local engine shop, maintains the boat’s engine.

Preparing for a race includes studying and understanding the course. “Each course is different. So you have to know how many laps you have to run,” Stephen said.

Members of Scott Free Racing take a break before a lake race.

In addition, they look over their notes from previous races at the location of an event. “We want to know what the water conditions were like, what set up we ran the last time, what props we ran, and where we placed the weights,” he said.

“The boat has to weigh 4750 pounds after each race. So we have to add weight. We are allowed to distribute the weight any way we want,” he added. “We test a couple of set ups prop-wise and test all systems to make sure everything is functioning properly.

“On the day of the race I want to make sure that I’m hydrated. It gets very hot on a race boat,” he added.

K&N Engineering has sponsored Scott Free Racing for four years. Prior to that Stephen used K&N air filters when he raced as a kid and Steve has been using K&N products for more than 35 years. “We have run K&N filters on our motors ever since I can remember. There have been no failures and we’ve never used anything else,” said Stephen.

Other Sponsors of Scott Free Racing include Boat Floater Industries, Champion Spark Plugs, Vostok Europe, Innovation Marine Corporation, Arrow RV, Pacer Group, Hydromotive Engineering, Custom Marine, and Hobby King.