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Cal and Peggy Meuser's Golden Years are Chock-full with Adventure and Airstream Caravans

26 Feb 2014

"I'll stick with you baby for a thousand years, nothing's gonna touch you in these golden years." That's the promise David Bowie made with his 1976 hit song. It's quite reasonable to imagine that a variation of that same sentiment was voiced even earlier by Cal Meuser to Peggy, his wife for over half a century. And Cal kept his promise to Peggy.

To date Cal and Peggy have been on 10 Airstream Caravans and they have traveled through all 48 contiguous states and most of Canada.

The dictionary succinctly describes golden years "as the time of life after retirement from active work." For Cal and Peggy the transition from an active work life, to über-active retirement, has encompassed countless miles of adventure travel, including a recent journey to Nuremburg, Germany, where the couple celebrated their 50th anniversary.

"We have been to all 48 contiguous states and most of the provinces of Canada," Cal confirms. "Many times we have crossed the USA, either visiting relatives on the East Coast or going on an Airstream Caravan."

Cal's home town is Huntington, New York, 35 miles east of New York City, where his occupation was electrical contractor. There he supervised extremely large and complex projects for other contractors.

"My family moved from Huntington to Ventura (California) in 1980," says Cal. "And I worked for another 15 in Ventura before retiring." Cal and Peggy have three children, two daughters, Lorraine and Carolyn, both executives with Hewlett-Packard, and a son, Calvin, who works as a Loss engineer with Chubb Insurance.

In January 1994 after the devastating Northridge earthquake, which effected Los Angeles and Ventura counties, Cal's company contracted with Whitaker Electronics for six months in order to get things back on track. Whitaker, located in Simi Valley had all three of their massive buildings condemned by the city, putting several hundred employees out of work. Cal and his 55 electricians stepped in and helped Whitaker Electronics to restore their electrical systems, so all those people could get back to work as fast as possible.

These days Cal and Peggy spend most of their time on the road, often along on the aforementioned Airstream Caravans. The Meuser's have been on ten Caravans to date, each lasting from 30 to 60 days.

"We own an Airstream travel trailer that is 31 feet long and weighs ten thousand pounds," explains Cal. "Our tow vehicle is a 2002 Ford F-350 with a 7.3 liter Powerstroke Diesel. Shortly after purchasing my truck in 2002, I purchased the K&N air filter (33-2248) with the cleaning kit (Recharger kit 99-5050). The truck is strictly used for towing and it now has 159000 miles on it. Our engine performance is still second to none and we credit K&N for part of that. Our fuel mileage, tracked over many thousands of miles is 13 to 14 MPG pulling the trailer. So we highly recommend K&N air filters to all the people that we meet on the road."

Cal says he first discovered K&N products in the 1990's, adding "We have a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis and we use a K&N air filter on it as well (33-2272). Cal and Peggy are currently home walking their dog Morgan, riding bicycles, and making plans for their next big adventure.

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Vintage Formula Vee Racer Kim Madrid Discusses Last Year's Success and New 2014 Challenges

26 Feb 2014

Madrid lists her vintage win in Savannah, Georgia at the Formula Vee 50th anniversary race as her 2013 highlight.

Last season was the first year racing in her new (newer 1999) Lazer Formula Vee, and regarding that transition K&N's Kim Madrid said, "It was a tough year. I went for dominating and always winning in the vintage races in my Caldwell D-13 Vee, to my best finish being 2nd place. It was a rude awakening." After a moment of reflection she adds, "Well, I did get 2nd in class for overall points with SCCA for the Formula Vee regional championship."

K&N's Kim Madrid kicked off 2014 at ACS and collected half the points she'll need to make it into the SCCA National Championship Runoffs.

That's a common thread that runs through the spirit of all racers, regardless of how well they finish, it's never quite fulfilling enough. It's what drives them to improve.

"I had to keep telling myself that I am driving with the big dogs now. I had to chalk the 2013 season up to being a learning season for me," she adds. "It was all new racers I was driving against and a lot more hard core. I love it though! It made me step it up on my driving, and it has, and will, continue to make me a better driver. I just sit back and watch and listen to the old timers that have been doing this for years."

Another trait racers share is a need to push personal limits and redefine challenges. For the woman from Rancho Cucamonga, California, with the trademark hot-pink Caldwell and matching Mohawk helmet, heading down to tracks in the south and thumping good 'ole boys has always been a source for pure motivation, and 2013 was rightfully no exception.

"My highlight for last season is my win with the vintage guys at the 50th birthday party of Formula Vee. That race was back in Savannah, Georgia. It was at a track called Roebling Road. I went there with expectations to finish in the top-ten. The funny thing is that back in the south they didn't want to acknowledge that a woman can drive/race as good as a man, and I found that to be ridicules. Well, I ended up winning pole position for qualifying and then the main race. That was awesome!"

Quixote Racing is building Madrid's engines more on the edge and to the limit for her 2014 championship campaign.

This season Madrid will be focusing on the SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, a winner-take-all, single race format. "This is the first time in 20 years that the Runoffs are going to be on the West Coast. They are going to be held the week of October 6-12, 2014," Madrid explains.

"This is a race that I need to qualify to be eligible to run in and I'm already halfway there. I will only be driving the Lazer MK 2.5 Vee for this season and this series. We are going in hardcore this year. My engine builder, Quixote Racing, is building my engines more on the edge and to the limit for this. We have been working and testing engines and the Lazer a lot so far this year to make sure we are going in with the right setup. We had a long day of testing at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California on January 12th with Speed Ventures just to make sure all the changes we did to the Lazer were going to work and be ok, and it went well. I won't say great, but ok. We did have to turn a few more wrenches on this thing (busting butt trying to dial it in)."

For Madrid and her crew the season started at ACS with Cal Club on January 17-19. "There were 18 formula Vees," she says, "And I figured that I needed to finish in the top-9 to earn enough points per race to qualify. I ended up finishing 8th so I reached my goal for that day. My fastest lap was a 2:02.845, which was a second off pace with the front runners, but I bettered my own time by three seconds."

"Sunday's race was not as great for me. I had a horrible start. I started 8th, fell back to 14th, and ended up finishing 8th again, but I was stuck behind this driver that kept bouncing off other cars (LOL). It was not a bad weekend though, as I have received 26 of the 48 points needed to make it to the runoffs."

Madrid's next race is February 21st - 23rd at Inde Motorsports Ranch in Wilcox, Arizona. "It is the 2nd SCCA West Coast Division Majors race of the year," she adds. "This is a more technical track and I tend to do better at these so let's see how goes. It's going to be a very exciting season."

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Joe Sylvester Partners with 2Xtreme Racing and the Bad Habit Monster Truck

22 Feb 2014

Joe Sylvester will be racing in TORC off road racing series this season, he will still manage to find time to wow his fans from the seat of the Bad Habit monster truck in the Monster Jam Series as well.

Joe Sylvester is certainly not a new name in the world of monster trucks. However, with 2014 will come change. Sylvester recently embarked upon a partnership with 2Xtreme racing for the Bad Habit Monster Truck. The driver and his team are also looking forward to another new venture.

Joe Sylvester recently earned a victory at a Monster Jam Series event help at the Sleep Train Arena at Sacramento, California.

Those who follow TORC are apt to see the driver competing in off road racing. Sylvester will be driving the #8 in the pro light class and plans to run the entire TORC schedule. This particular venture will consist of 14 rounds; two rounds per event for seven weekends.

Of course, many hours have already been and will continue to be dedicated to preparing for his new endeavor. "We have built our own private test track to practice," explained the driver. "And I am also racing UTVs and go carts when time allows. I think in order to keep your skills sharp as a racer, you need to be in some sort of race vehicle at least once a week.

"My physical conditioning and training has also shifted from a bodybuilding type to more of a cross-training workout, to better my endurance and athletic ability. I want to be as energized on the 16th lap of the race as I am on the first.

With any new venture, there are uncertainties, but Joe Sylvester has no worries. "I have a really positive outlook on things," stated the driver. "and can't wait to get out there and race. The adrenaline rush of short course racing is second to none. Most of all, I am looking forward to a new challenge and new goals.

"I like to set goals for myself," he continued. "My goal for 2014 is to place at least in the top five by my second race, and by the end of the season, be finishing on the podium."

Although Sylvester is steadfast in a successful 2014 TORC season, that's no indication he's putting his monster truck driving on a back burner. In fact, he finds his new partnership with "Bad Habit" exhilarating.

"Bringing Bad Habit to 2xtreme Racing happened after the sale of my monster truck enterprise, and when my sponsors still wanted me involved in the industry," he shared. Racing under the 2extreme tent allows me more time to concentrate on my off road efforts during 2014; all while driving top-notch monster trucks."

When asked if the endeavor will benefit his partners as well, Joe Sylvester explained that new sponsors who came onboard with him will assist in their annual operating budget. He also suggested the recognition of having the WOD champ and world record jump holder on the team will prove advantageous as well.

As does any rig, each and every monster truck drives totally differently and take a little getting accustomed to. However, during a recent Monster Jam event at the Sleep Train Arena, in Sacramento, California, Joe Sylvester didn't allow the transition to slow him down.

Those following the Monster Jam series, are acutely aware of the quality of drivers, each event keeping followers and participants on the edge of their seats. Well, the race at Sleep Train was no different. In fact, it lead to an interesting string of events, not only providing spectators with stiff competition, but epitomizing the camaraderie and respect shared by the drivers.

After being deemed the victor by the officials, "Grave Digger" called Sylvester out to the floor during his interview, claiming his run was, hands down, better and handing him the trophy.

With aspirations of what will transpire in the months to come, the driver said, ""I would love to go back to the Monster Jam World Finals again in Las Vegas." And judging from Sylvester's previous track record, the potential is certainly there.

The driver and his team are acutely aware that proper maintenance ultimately plays a huge role in one's success. That in mind, they strive to keep their rigs in tip-top running condition and depend upon K&N products to ensure their engines remain contaminant free.

"I have used K&N products for as long as I've been racing; in everything from my big rig, karts, cars, quads, UTV, off road truck to monster trucks.I use their air filters, oil filters and degreaser. Hands down, the best filtration products money can buy."

When asked what fans can expect from Joe Sylvester and his team during the 2014 season, he concluded, "Look for us to make a big splash in the TORC Series with the #8 pro-lite, and my girlfriend, Cynthia, in her #341 1600 buggy. We will also have two other racers of whom we'll be preparing their pro-lites for the 2014 season and will be racing under the JSM tent."

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The Stronghold Motorsports Family Joins MAVTV Family for 2014 Off-Road Season

22 Feb 2014

Stronghold's Scott Bailey is very excited about the new car and its performance and he expects a very successful 2014 season.

"We are very excited about the opportunity that was given to us by Lucas Oil and MAVTV to represent them as the MAVTV team for both short course and desert," reported Stronghold Motorsports Managing Partner, Scott Bailey. "We have been a Lucas Oil partner for about four years now, and we very much enjoy the relationship and the core values that Forrest Lucas and his team have, and how they match ours in daily business. Both in business and racing, we are a very family orientated team, so we're proud that we've been asked to join the MAVTV family, and we're going to do everything possible to make it a long and happy relationship."

For the 2014 season the Stronghold Motorsports team will be campaigning in the red, white and blue colors of the MAVTV American Real network.

The K&N supported Riverside, California based off-road racing team will be sporting new colors for the 2014 season, as they will compete in the red, white and blue colors of the MAVTV American Real network in both the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series and selected desert endurance events.

MAVTV, which has quickly become the leading network for motorsports coverage, stresses family values in both its management and programming. That philosophy also is the Stronghold cornerstone and Scott said after several successful years fielding multiple entries, the team will focus on that again.

"TV and the exposure that it brings are not the driving factors of why we participate in off-road racing," Scott added. "Our interest dates back to the late 1970's and the Mickey Thompson SCORE Off road World Championships that were held at the Riverside International Raceway. We currently have three generations of our family racing and that's very important to us.

The team drivers competing in the Lucas Oil series of short course races will be Scott's son, Brandon Bailey in Pro 4, grandson Madix Bailey in Jr.1 Kart, and Larry Job in Pro Buggy. Scott, Brandon and Larry will share the driving in the team's new MAVTV Alumi Craft Chevrolet Class 1 desert car. "We are very excited about the new car and its performance and expect a very successful year," Scott said.

The team began testing the Class 1 car early in January and opened its four-race desert season at the Best in the Desert (BITD) BlueWater Parker 425 in Parker, Arizona, on February 1-2, 2014. The team of Brandon Bailey, Scott Bailey and Larry Job drove Stronghold's new MAVTV/Toyo AlumiCraft Chevrolet to a 16th place finish overall and 2nd in the Unlimited Open Wheel class. Team manager Matt Salgado called it a "pretty awesome debut," and it could have been even better if not for a mechanical failure.

A new MAVTV Ford Pro 4 is being built for Brandon, who was the 2013 Rookie of the Year in the class, and that will debut when the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series opens March 22-23 at Wild Horse Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona.

MAVTV plans to slowly increase its live motorsports programming, beginning with coverage of the famed Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals January 18 and a return to the Challenge Cup on October 25. In addition they have signed broadcasting icon, Dave DeSpain, to host its live events and his own 30-minute interview and highlights show. MAVTV American Real is the fastest-growing network in the country and the leader in grass-roots motorsports coverage.

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TK Motorsports' Kody and Tanner Swanson Look Ahead to 2014 USCA Midget Race Season

20 Feb 2014

Tanner driving the Bob Rosen Midget No.4 won a number of races last season, this victory came at All-American Speedway in Roseville, California.

Four years ago, in a June 2010 story about the Swanson brothers, Kody and Tanner, we wrote "Given the proper conditions, appropriate parental tutelage, more sunshine than darkness - few bonds on earth are any more powerful than brothers."

Tanner in the No.11 gets the inside line on Kody for a 1-2 Swanson brother finish.

At the time Tanner was 19, and he had just claimed the coveted "Night Before the 500," USAC National Midget title in his first attempt. Kody, his senior by three years, joined him on the third tier of the podium that night at O'Reilly Raceway Park. And the inspiration for that particular quote came from Kody's reaction to Tanner's mammoth victory. Kody was genuinely more moved for his younger sibling, than had he won the race himself.

The bond between the two TK Motorsports drivers has continued to strengthen with the passing of the years, tested by challenges, and the uniquely accelerated pace of life that all racers most contend with. We spoke with Kody and Tanner about their 2013 season wrap-up and what we can look for from the two K&N stars in 2014.

Looking back on 2013 what are some of the significant highlights, and perhaps moments you may not have seen coming, that stand out for each of you?

Kody: "This past year I got the chance to work with some new teams, and was fortunate to meet some really great people. I felt like everyone that I worked with last year was really into the sport for the right reasons, and it was great to see their excitement when we ran well. Those people really made racing fun again, and made 2013 a special season for me. I think Tanner and I share one special moment from 2013, and that was sweeping the USAC Silver Crown race at Lucas Oil Raceway."

Tanner drove the RFMS Racing Midget No.3 in 2011 and Kody will take the seat in 2014.

Tanner: "This year's Silver Crown race at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis was definitely a special moment. I had never driven for the Bowman/Canine Racing team before, so to pick up the win in my first start with them was special in itself. The fact that Kody finished 2nd, (making us the only brothers in history to have swept a USAC Silver Crown race, now twice), each driving for different teams, and teams that were new to both of us in 2013, just made it an incredible night, definitely something so awesome you never see it coming."

What are the most important changes you made to your team, cars and racing schedule for 2014?

Kody: "Probably the two biggest changes will be joining the DePalma Motorsports/ Radio Hospital No. 63 full-time on the USAC Silver Crown tour, and joining the RFMS Racing team in the USAC National Pavement Midget series. Last year, I pieced together my Silver Crown season driving for three different teams, including three races for the DePalma family on the pavement. We really worked well together, had some success, and I'm looking forward to competing for the series Championship with them this year. I'm just as excited to join Don Fike and the RFMS team for the National Pavement Midget series. I've raced against those guys for years, and I'm looking forward to the chance to work with them this season."

Kody's first win with the SpeedChasers, Inc. team came at M-40 Speedway in Michigan. Photo by Chris Seelman.

Tanner: "Not much is changing regarding my plans for 2014, but I think that it is a good thing. My schedule will be based primarily on the west coast, where I ran a lot of races for Bob Rosen last year, and we had some success together in USAC/BCRA Midgets. I also picked up a USAC Silver Crown event for the Bowman/Canine team, and hope to continue that in 2014 as well."

What keeps you guys busy these days when you're not at the track racing?

Kody: "Normally I'm working at Alt & Witzig Engineering out of Indianapolis, but when I'm not there, I'm usually at one of the team's shops. It seems like the off-seasons get shorter each year, so I'm happy to help get the ball rolling for 2014."

Tanner: "I work full-time for Golden State Farm Credit as a Credit Analyst, but I also spend time working with my own graphics operation, the Top Shelf Design Company. Also, I will be getting married this coming April."

Congratulations Tanner! Lastly, what are some of your race goals for 2014 and where does the season start for you guys?

Kody: "With the opportunity to compete for two USAC Championships (Silver Crown & National Pavement Midget) this year, winning both of those will be the ultimate goal. On individual race level, the goal is always to win, that's the reason we race. My season will start with the USAC National Sprint Cars 'Winter Dirt Games' in Ocala, Florida, February 20-22."

Tanner: "Since I won't be competing in any particular series for a points Championship, the only goals I'll have is to get the most out of each night, and ultimately striving to win each race. Where my season will start is still to be determined at this point, since the majority of the western states' schedules haven't been finalized."

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