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The "Tarheel Tiger," Ray Cook kicked off his 2014 race schedule in winning style as he flat-out dominated the Crate Late Model portion of ‘Ice Bowl XXIII’ at the Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Alabama. Cook, a multi-time Super Late Model winner in the celebrated event, posted the fastest lap of the 60-plus Crate competitors during the qualifying session, and then went on to ink the win in his heat race. After starting the 40-lap main from the outside of the front row, Cook grabbed the lead at the drop of the green flag and never looked back en route to the $3,000 payday.

As a result of his persistent racing Ray Cook now finds himself 6th overall in the LOLMDS standings.

Next up on his calendar was Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Tennessee, for the annual running of Winterfest. Up for grabs for the Super Late Models was another top prize of $3,000. For this event Cook agreed to pilot driver Charlie Parker’s No. 27 MasterSbilt Gen-X car. Cook started off his day by running off the third fastest lap in his group during time trials, before going on to take the win in his consolation race.

For the unsanctioned one-day showdown, highlighted by a 40-lap feature event, the Brasstown, North Carolina, race started on the inside of the sixth row. After running strong early in the race, Cook pulled into the pit area when a power steering hose came off. Fortunately, crew members were able to make quick repairs and Cook rejoined the field, at the tail, for the restart. The K&N sponsored driver then rallied back through the pack to salvage an eighth place performance.

Next, the tenacious driver rode his hard earned momentum to the 17th Annual Bama Bash contested at the East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, Alabama. There Cook earned another solid 6th place. From there Cook and the MasterSbilt House Car team went on to Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tennessee, as the National Dirt Racing League (NDRL) presided over the inaugural running of the Tennessee Tipoff Classic. After running in second place for much of the 40-lap main event, Cook held on to finish third.

The Cook crew invaded the legendary Brownstown Speedway in Brownstown, Indiana, for the 50-lap Indiana Icebreaker. Cook battled inside of the top ten throughout the caution-free event and eventually brought his K&N supported No.53 MasterSbilt machine home in the ninth position.

Lastly, at his latest race to date, at Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, Louisiana, the consistent Cook once more finished in the top-ten with another 9th place finish in the 50-lapper. Cook currently sits in 6th place overall in the latest Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series point standings.

Jerry Daugherty feels his opening round podium gives the team lots of confidence heading to Lake Elsinore.

Momentum is a cornerstone of physics and has been defined as the ability of an object to continue moving because of its mass and velocity. In racing it’s essential to carry momentum, mass and velocity from one event to another, and even from one season to the next.

Jerry says he’s looking forward to racing his new Pro 4 truck in rounds 3 and 4.

“The Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports team ended the 2013 Season of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series (LOORRS) on a positive note,” commented team owner/manager Christie Daugherty. “With Jerry Daugherty finishing 6th in the Pro 4 points standings and Aaron Daugherty finishing in the top-10 of the Pro Lite class.”

That “positive note” resonated on as the LOORRS opened its 2014 extreme short course off-road racing action on the dirt of Wild Horse Motorsports Park in Chandler, with Rounds 1 and 2. Jerry Daugherty and the K&N Filters supported Pro 4 No. 23 of old, proved that they work well together as he brought the No. 23 to the podium during the opening events in Chandler.

Aaron Daugherty is looking to air it out in his No. 23 Pro Lite at Elsinore.

“A well deserved 3rd place finish brings much momentum to the team going into Rounds 3 and 4 this month,” Christie said.

“The competition in the Pro 4 class is getting stronger, and with the addition of new trucks and drivers, it is getting more and more difficult to get on the box,” Jerry added. “Some of the drivers looked a little rusty as they banged fenders early on in the race, which took out our brakes in Saturday’s race, but we came back strong on Sunday.”

The Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports crew celebrates their momentum making podium finish at Wild Horse Motorsports Park.

“With the Pro 4 race ending the events of the day, the track gets pretty torn up, and that leads to a lot of carnage. It has been a long time since we were on the box, and this will give us a lot of confidence heading into the upcoming races. I can’t wait to debut our new truck in Lake Elsinore.”

During their off season most of the teams’ focus was dedicated to the fabrication and building of a new Pro 4 race truck, which Jerry will debut at the upcoming LOORRS events in Lake Elsinore, California, April 25-26th.

After a frustrating first round of racing for Aaron Daugherty, he and the Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports Pro Lite No. 23 are anxious to get back on the track. During the first lap of Round 1, Aaron had contact mid-air over the front stretch table top. Although Aaron was able to save the truck from a nasty end-over-end crash, it did however result in two tires blowing, which created a motor issue.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back in the truck and putting rounds 1and 2 behind me,” Aaron remarked. “Lake Elsinore is a fun track and we can really air it out over the huge jumps! I'm really excited for the team to debut dad's new Pro 4 too, which looked pretty awesome in testing at Miller Motorsports Park.”

Look for the K&N backed team of Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports April 25-26, at Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park in Lake Elsinore, California.

David and Shea enjoy the company of Matthew (in bed) and the youngest Jordan.

Fans of Shea Holbrook, and there are many, have long appreciated her inspiring accomplishments and racing prowess. Yet, what people respect and admire most about her are her generous, multifaceted spirit and her passionate drive to help others.

Most of her supporters know that she is an ardent advocate for kids with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their families. She is calling on all her fellow racers, partners, family, friends and fans to help the Shea Racing team help David Klapp and his lacrosse dream.

Matthew, David and Jordan are her cousins. David is the middle child in the Klapp family and he is graduating from Mitchell College in Connecticut this summer.

“Considering everything David has been through as a brother to Matthew and Jordan, who are both afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, David is nothing less than remarkable,” said Holbrook. “And today we have an opportunity to say thank you and give back to someone who has given so much.”

David grew up playing sports with his brothers, and today, he plays for his brothers. He’s been invited to participate in the USA Athletes International Lacrosse Team to compete in the 2014 tour which includes Berlin, Germany and Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, from June 21st to June 30th.

Like his cousin Shea, David is a gifted athlete, but his opportunity to play on the International Lacrosse Tour reaches far deeper than sports.

“David is tall, strong and healthy. A fantastic athlete, hard worker, and a loving brother,” details Holbrook with equal amounts of admiration and affection. “He’s modest, kindhearted, and fun to be around. I can’t put myself in his shoes, but I know there are days that he wonders – why?”

“Dealing with his brother’s Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and being the middle child, yet still remaining so grounded and alright is a mystery. We’ll never really have an answer for that,” Holbrook says, “But this is the reality, and we can let that define us, or we can’t live as normally as possible. David chose ‘normal.’"

The Klapp family in earlier years.

Normal for David is helping his brothers get in and out of bed, getting them in their wheelchairs, getting them ready for school and bolting their wheelchairs down in the car. Normal is a continuous schedule of doctor appointments, seeing his brothers in the stands watching his games, and having to say goodbye to Matthew.

“David earned the opportunity to go play lacrosse at Mitchell College, which he graduates from in May. As hard as it is being away from his family, this is something David has to do for himself,” Holbrook explains. “David is the most giving person I know, and when I say giving, I mean in compassion, time and help. He doesn’t expect anything in return nor does he expect anybody to treat him differently. When David thinks of his life, where he wants to live, who he wants to be or what he wants to do, he thinks first of his family.”

“So with all of that said, he has an opportunity to just be David, and do something he’ll remember for the rest of his life. To go play in the USA Athletes International Lacrosse Tour to represent the United States of America. And to play for himself and his brothers. David has always been able to fall back on his team when he needed help. I’m asking you and many others to help team up for David this time, and raise the funds needed to make this dream a reality.”

The funds raised will go directly towards David’s expenses including his passport, travel, lodging, food and related expenses. To make a contribution please contact Holbrook via SheaRacing.com, Facebook or Twitter to request a tax deductible donation form, and then simply mail it into the address at the bottom of the donation page.

“Our first race is finally around the corner! I’m extremely anxious to get back on the track April 26-27th at Barber Motorsports Park with the Pirelli World Challenge,” Holbrook adds. “Our driver lineup will be impressive. And a huge thanks to our partners and my business partner, aka dad, Jeff Holbrook for busting ass during the off-season!”

“No matter where we are, I always see K&N decals on the back of someone’s truck or car, and it reminds me how fortunate I am to be a part of such a great and reputable company. We sincerely appreciate all the support from K&N Filters, fellow sponsored drivers and all the K&N fans. Let’s go racing!”