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Sprint Car Driver Cody Swanson Races Into 2013 Season and Gets His First USAC Western States Victory

27 Apr 2013

Swanson put it all together for his first USAC Western States win in Bakersfield.

Along the upper edge of all motorsports competition everyone has plenty of skill, so what separates top ten-finishes from a consistent run of podiums, has more to do with brains than brawn. Making high-quality decisions at the speed of thought, with adrenaline working to blur that process, is in part inborn instinct, part experience and a huge dose of heart. After a couple of exploratory years that produced mixed results, Cody Swanson has clearly begun to align his driving muscle with his racing I.Q. starting the 2013 season.

“The success we have had at the start of this season honestly began midway through last season,” Swanson clarified. “We started making a lot of changes to the car with set up and have kept making improvements. We feel like there is always something on the car that can be better and our goal is to fix that then move onto the next thing. It has really been paying off. I also feel that I have matured a lot in my driving and the decisions I make behind the wheel over that time as well.”

Cody Swanson kicked off 2013 by winning two of his first three races.

Cody Swanson Motorsports started of the racing season at Ventura Raceway in Ventura, California with the VRA Midget Series. Swanson started the Main event in the second position next to veteran Sprint and Midget driver Rick Hendrix. For the next 23 laps Swanson worked on the back bumper of the No. 12 Hendrix car looking for a hole.

Finally, on lap 23, Hendrix bobbled just enough so that Swanson had his opening. He took the lead and never looked back to see that his cousin, Jake Swanson, had finished right behind him in second place. This is the first one/two finish for the cousins.

When his sway bar link broke off in Ventura Swanson adjusted his driving style to take the checkered flag.

“I had to be really patient while I was behind Rick. I knew that if I were to try and make moves on him every lap that I would risk wearing out my RR (right rear) tire because the track was really slick,” Swanson said. “So my plan was to keep all the pressure on him that I could, making sure he knew I was there the whole time. Every so often I would duck down to the bottom and slide up in front of him, but nothing stuck until lap 23 when I finally completed the pass.”

“It was very cool getting the 1-2 finish with Jake. Especially because we have both been working really hard on improving our programs and that finish showed just how much we’ve put into it. Hopefully that is the first of many.”

The following weekend Swanson and this team headed to Bakersfield Speedway for the USAC Western States Midget Series event. Swanson won his heat and started the Main event from the outside pole position; beside him stood Midget and Sprint Car ace, Ryan Bernal, on pole. The outside proved to be the better lane though as Swanson owned the lead before the cars reached turn one.

Swanson believes he and his team are on the right track for success this year.

"At about half way, I noticed my car tightening up,” Swanson recalls. “I thought maybe my right rear bleeder stuck open and the tire was going down.” What he didn't know was that his rear sway bar link had broken off. It didn't matter though, as Swanson simply adjusted his driving style and focused on the track to hold off the field for his first USAC Western States Midget series win.

"This is really special! Flag-to-flag, I can't believe it,” Swanson exclaimed in the winner's circle. “My car was a real handful when the sway bar broke and I have to thank Ronnie (Gardner) for racing me hard but clean. This was a stellar field of cars and tonight was our night. I am so happy!"

Swanson says he and the team learned a great deal about themselves and the car last year. “There were things that we consistently noticed that we needed to improve on, and we have really focused on making those improvements, and we are still making those improvements. The way I look at it, every race has something that we can learn from and make an improvement on, whether it is an improvement on the car, my driving, or the team in general.”

“There are about 25 races left to be run that we can attend, and right now I am very happy with how the car is responding and acting out on the track,” Swanson adds. “I am also pleased with my driving and becoming more confident, and more comfortable every time we go out. But there is still work to be done, it's a long season and we always need to keep moving forward and that's what we plan to do. The competition is going to keep getting better, so we need to as well.”

(Special Swanson request) “My 13-year-old cousin, Julia Jones, has been in LA Children's Hospital the past few weeks in sudden need of a heart transplant; we appreciate prayers for her for strength and healing during this time."

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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Related K&N News Articles about Cody Swanson and VRA Midget Racing: K&N Sponsored Cody Swanson Becomes 2012 Ventura Racing Association Midget Champion; Cody Swanson Grabs 3rd at the VRA Midget Show in Ventura, California; K&N's Cody Swanson Gathers Momentum in VRA Midget Racing Series at Ventura Speedway; Cody Swanson's Third USAC Western States Midget Series Race Gets Team Back on Track

Team PCS Performance/Can-am's Josh Creamer to Race AMA ATV Motocross Racing Series

27 Apr 2013

Josh Creamer will be racing in the AMA ATV Motocross Racing Series during the 2013 season with team PCS Performance/ Can-am.

At the 2010 AMA ATV Motocross Racing Series’ end, Josh Creamer had pulled off the accomplishment that, he and all of his fellow drivers, had been shooting for. From the seat of his factory-backed Suzuki LTR 450 ATV, he had earned the series champion title.

At the beginning of the 2011 ATV racing season, all of the competitors hit the tracks sharing the same goal. But there was one thing distinctively different - Josh Creamer was not on the scene.

In fact, after wining the 2010 championship, the rider found himself in somewhat of a pickle. Suzuki opted to pull out of the series. Choosing to step away from AMA ATV Motocross racing events, the rider focused his attention to riding in the NEATV-MX series. With full intentions of continuing a winning tradition, Creamer was second in the points race at the season’s end, behind, Dustin Wimmer.

After sitting out of the AMA ATV Motocross Racing Series, former champion, Josh Creamer, is anxious to return in 2013.

The rider jumped onboard with the BCS Performance Can-am team the following year to race in the New England ATV Motocross series. Again, Creamer put his nose to the grindstone with winning on his mind. At the end of the 2012 ATV race season, his persistence and skills from the seat of his BCS Performance Can-am DS450 ATV had earned him two more titles. He walked away having earned both the NEATV-MX Pro and Pro-Am championships.

After sitting the AMA ATV MX series out for two years, the former champion is geared up and ready to return for the 2013 season with team BCS Performance/ Can-am, and hopefully regain the number one plate.

“I am very excited about my return. I came down to Florida in the beginning of January to start training physically,” he explained “But mentally, I’m always preparing. I work out in the morning and do two motos during the day, then another workout session in the afternoon.”

Stressing the importance of physical preparedness, Creamer continued, “Fitness is key to the sport. You have to be strong and in shape to hold onto and be able to control a 400-pound machine through obstacles and rough conditions.” With a chuckIe he said, “I have to get myself back into the shape I used to be in and am not getting any younger.

“The key to success is going to be starts,” he stated.”Races are a bit shorter this year, and the top six of the field is very tight. So whoever can get out front and have clear track is going to be tough to run down in traffic. I think 2013 is going to be one of the toughest years in a while. There are a lot of us who want to win and know we can.”

Although Josh Creamer as obviously proven himself as a force to be reckoned with, the rider is also aware that his team will play a huge role in his success. “My team is great,” he shared. “Everyone at BCS Performance works hard and builds a great bike.”

As all riders of Creamer’s caliber will agree, the greatest of bikes are vulnerable to breakdowns, and must be maintained to the jot and tittle. “Maintenance is the key; without it you have problems. And with problems, you don’t win,” he explained.

That in mind, ATV racer Josh Creamer and team BCS Performance are strong advocates of keeping all foreign debris from entering the internal compartment of their engines. In turn, they depend upon K&N products to provide them with their filtering needs.

“We run K&N air and oil filters,” he explained. “Love the product. . . I have been using them for years. It’s easy to use what works best. They let the bike get more air, and more air equals the potential for more power. And with Jay at BCS doing the motors, I know it’s more power.”

Josh Creamer and PCS Performance are scheduled to run 10 ATV race events during 2013, the season opener taking place at Aonia Pass, in Washington Georgia. Looking forward to the season, the rider concluded, “Fans can expect to see some great racing and hopefully, a lot of wins.”

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.

Related K&N ATV racing news: Dalton Millican Wins 2011 AMA ATV National Championship; Walsh Race Craft's Jeremy Lawson Finishes 3rd in 2011 AMA ATV Motocross Series; Dalton Millican Has AMA ATV Motocross Victory in His Sights; AMA ATV Motocross racer Cody Gibson Makes a Huge Showing At Aonia Pass.

Sprint Car Driver Jonathan Allard Eager for World of Outlaws at Thunderbowl Speedway

27 Apr 2013

Jonathan Allard recently finished second place in a World of Outlaws event at the Thunderbowl Speedway, in Tulare, California.

As the racing season wound to an end here in the United States last year, Sprint Car driver, Jonathan Allard had no intentions of sitting idle throughout the off season. In fact, the driver embarked upon a long journey to New Zealand where his performances were impressive to say the least. Allard took six checkered flags and at the season’s end and won the Western Springs Speedway Track Championship.

“Most of the tracks there (New Zealand) are old rugby stadiums,” he shared. “So we essentially race on tighter tracks that have stands all the way around them. Much smaller tracks than in the U.S., but a ton of fun to race.”

Jonathan Allard recently returned from New Zealand, where he raced sprint cars during the off season in the United States.

Recently returning to the states with confidence by his side, Allard was geared up and ready to roll. With intentions of continuing his successful run, he headed for the Thunderbowl Speedway, in Tulare, California eager to compete in the World of Outlaws event.

“Tulare is a demanding track,” he explained. “You have to be aggressive and willing to run all over the track. Typically, you are on the top of the track, right on the fence, and it can be intimidating to some people.”

“It was our first weekend back in the U.S., and we were having a good weekend. . . So we had pretty high confidence.”

Manning the Williams Motorsports car, the driver qualified as the 12th fastest car, earning a front row position in his heat. Taking the victory in his heat race, Allard took an eighth place finish in the dash. Faced with a rough track during the final race of the night, he would cross the finish line in 11th place.

On the final night, Allard qualified with the eighth fastest time, putting himself in great position for the upcoming event. Taking second place in his heat, the driver earned a pole position in the dash.

He had no intentions of experiencing nothing less than success and when the dash was deemed underway, immediately took an early lead. Managing to hold on to his position, the driver took the win.

“With the World of Outlaws, it is crucial to run first or second in your heat, so you have the opportunity to start in the top ten of the feature event, ” he ensured. “We won our heat and put ourselves in the dash, so we were pleased with that.”

Aware of the condition of the track, Allard and his fellow drivers knew that everyone would choose the lane most likely to take grip, and in turn, passing would not be an easy task. That in mind, it would prove essential to take an early lead.

Starting the feature race on the front row, Allard and his team’s chances of a reputable finish were favorable.

When the waving of the green flag deemed the race underway, Jonathan Allard found Craig Dollansky the only obstacle between him and the lead position. Recognizing the track conditions would likely have an adverse affect on his tires, Allard drove smart yet aggressive. He managed to “get up on his rear bumper at times”, but as suspected prior to the start, passing proved practically impossible.

Allard’s only hope was for his fellow driver to falter or make a mistake, but Dollansky drove a flawless race. In turn, Jonathan Allard took a second place finish, still earning a spot on the podium.

“As a racer, you are never happy with second place,” explained the driver. “But as a team, we were pleased with the second place run against the best drivers in the world. It is always tough to beat them, and it was a great night to measure our team so early in the season.”

With the bulk of 2013 in front of him, Jonathan Allard considers the ability to finish races as the key to success. The driver also knows the importance of his team. “Racing is a team sport,” shared Allard. “Without my guys and my car owners, Morrie and Kate Williams, nothing would be possible. They get the car ready during the week, and at the track, the are working their tails off to make sure it is the best it can be based on what the track is doing.”

Allard and his crew are also acutely aware of the importance of maintenance. That in mind, they are strong advocates of depending upon K&N filters to keep their engines debris free. K&N provides such great products for our team,” he explained. “We are on the cutting edge, with the long-term reliability that it takes to win races and championships. K&N has always been very involved with our team and provides us the situation of feeling like family.”

With confidence, a reliable team and proper maintenance at his disposal, Jonathan Allard is anticipating a successful run in 2013. When asked what fans can expect during the upcoming season, Allard said, “We look to defend our 2012 King of the West Championship. We will also run select World of Outlaw shows out west, and hopefully, make a trip back to the Knoxville Nationals.”

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.

Other K&N sprint car news about Jonathan Allard: Williams Motorsports' Jonathan Allard Wins King of the West Championship in 410ci Sprint Car; 360 Knoxville Nationals K&N Sponsored Sprint Car Racers Flood the Field at Iowa Raceway; Jonathan Allard Wins a Remarkable 11 Times out of 15 Starts in New Zealand and Trip to Western Springs Speedway in Aukland; New Zealand Pays Off for Sprint Car Driver Jonathan Allard

2012 and 2016 Toyota Prius C Reaps Performance Boost with K&N Performance Air Filter Upgrade

25 Apr 2013

Back side of K&N Performance Air Filter for the Toyota Prius C

The Toyota Prius has been the hybrid gold standard for more than a decade; in fact it outsells all other hybrids combined by a two-to-one margin. With the introduction of the Prius C that margin is destined to widen even further. The Toyota Prius C is the entry-level model and the smallest member of Toyota's gas/electric hybrid "family," which also includes the flagship Toyota Prius hatchback and the larger Toyota Prius V wagon. The Toyota Prius C is a subcompact 4-door hatchback that's one of the least expensive hybrids on the market, and like all Toyota Prii (the official plural of Prius) the Toyota Prius C is made in Japan.

Toyota Prius C K&N Replacement Air Filter Top or Front Side

This year the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy named the Toyota Prius C compact hybrid the "greenest" car for 2013. With only 99 total system horsepower the Toyota Prius C isn't going to win any races in the traditional sense, but with a 9.5 gallon gas tank that can travel right around 500 miles, it will reach its intended destination with fewer gas stops for sure.

The front-wheel-drive Toyota Prius C offers just one drivetrain, a 73-horsepower 1.5-liter gasoline 4-cylinder engine that pairs with a 26-horsepower battery-powered electric motor, and like all Toyota hybrids, the PriusC can run on one or both of its engines. With the introduction of the K&N 33-2485 reusable air filter the Prius C not only becomes even "greener" it also adds perceptible pop to theToyota Prius' get-up-and-go.

By simply upgrading the OE air filter with a K&N 33-2485 air filter, you will not only improve the overall performance of the Prius C, but you will assure excellent air filtration and engine protection.

Engineered to increase both horsepower and torque, and designed to drop into your existing factory air box, the K&N 33-2485 reusable air filter will be the last air filter you'll need to purchase for your Prius - K&N's famed Million Mile Limited Warranty backs up that claim. Depending on your driving conditions, servicing intervals can go up to 50,000 miles before cleaning is necessary and cleaning the filter is as uncomplicated as following the four easy cleaning steps on a K&N Recharger Kit (part no. 99-5050).

The K&N 33-2485 reusable air filter fits the following vehicle:
2016 Toyota Yaris Hybrid 1.5L L4
2016 Toyota Yaris 1.0L L3
2016 Toyota Prius C 1.5L L4
2016 Toyota Aygo Ii 1.0L L3
2016 Peugeot 108 1.0L L3
2016 Citroen C1 Ii 1.0L L3
2015 Toyota Yaris Hybrid 1.5L L4
2015 Toyota Yaris 1.0L L3
2015 Toyota Prius C 1.5L L4
2015 Toyota Aygo Ii 1.0L L3
2015 Peugeot 108 1.0L L3
2015 Citroen C1 Ii 1.0L L3
2014 Toyota Yaris Hybrid 1.5L L4
2014 Toyota Yaris 1.0L L3 From 7/14
2014 Toyota Prius C 1.5L L4
2014 Toyota Aygo Ii 1.0L L3
2014 Peugeot 108 1.0L L3
2014 Citroen C1 Ii 1.0L L3
2013 Toyota Yaris Hybrid 1.5L L4
2013 Toyota Prius C 1.5L L4
2012 Toyota Yaris Hybrid 1.5L L4
2012 Toyota Prius C 1.5L L4

To see all K&N air filters for Toyota Prius models check out the Toyota Prius Air Filter page on KNFilters.com. 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.

Related stories: Gas Electric Hybrid Toyota Prius Gains Performance with K&N Air Filter, K&N Air Filter Released for Hybrid Toyota Prius with 1.5 Liter Engine

Kyle Larson Gets RW Motorsports and His 2013 NASCAR Career Back on the Winning Track

25 Apr 2013

Larson says Pavement midgets are one of his favorite cars to compete in.

"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them." Kyle Miyata Larson personifies every facet of that famous Shakespeare observation – and therein lies the rub.

Every NASCAR generation has that one driver that makes everyone stop-down to take notice. Drivers like Petty, Irwin, Gordon, Stewart, they all felt the overpowering, sometimes crushing weight of the NASCAR world on their shoulders, and they survived quite nicely to put their own brand on greatness. Larson, who exploded onto the scene in a very short time, gives every indication that he’s the next real deal to shoulder the responsibility of NASCAR greatness for his generation, despite a few magnified, disproportionately shrill, public hiccups.

Kyle Larson sharpened his skills with a USAC pavement midgets win at New Smyrna Beach, driving for RW Motorsports.

Last year as a development driver for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, Larson won the NASCAR-sanctioned K&N Pro Series East Championship, so expectations have been great coming into 2013. The kid who just barely crossed the teenage year’s finish line, got off to a dicey start to the season, yet the prodigiously talented 20-year-old driver immediately turned it around in Tennessee and clearly illustrated why he’s the worthy heir apparent for NASCAR prominence.

In what has been inked into the record books as the second closest finish in series history at Bristol Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch, the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ all-time race winner, narrowly defeated Larson. Although it was a runner-up finish, Larson’s restraint and accelerated race maturity where duly noted and praised in this, his NASCAR coming out party.

Larson was the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Rookie of the Year and series’ champion.

Along with imminent greatness, Larson shares other similar background traits with Gordon and Stewart, all of which honed their skills in the Sprint and Midget USAC classes. Larson fired-up his season driving USAC pavement midgets at New Smyrna Beach, Florida for RW Motorsports, not surprisingly he won the event.

“Having Kyle want to run for us is a huge compliment to our race team and personnel. I think it says a lot about the caliber of equipment and team we have,” commented Evan Avart, RW Motorsports’ General Manager/Crew Chief. “Kyle he is an amazing young talent that is so easy to work with. His skill and intelligence about racing are very impressive. He stays very calm and has a tremendous feel for very small changes to the balance of the car. We hope to run him at more events this year but his schedule does not allow him much time. We will work by, and when, he can and wants to run our schedule.”

“Pavement midgets are one of my favorite cars to drive, so it was a lot of fun to go to New Smyrna since I’d run a late model there before, and then go back and run the midget. I kind of got lucky and won the race, but I’ll take it. It’s not hard to adapt at all from New Smyrna to Daytona because they’re so different. Daytona was just wide open and wasn’t too hard for me to pick up on,” stated Larson addressing how he makes the mental adjustments from one venue to another.

“I think because I run so many different types of cars and in sprint cars you only have about five laps to get used to a track, so I think I work really hard on trying to learn as quick as I can. I think just racing a bunch of different cars really helps a lot. It’s really just a lot of instinct. I’m not sure if there’s one thing that I use across the board, because nothing is really the same between all of the different types of cars I’ve driven. If I knew one thing that I used across the board, I wouldn’t give up the secret.”

In an ideal race scenario how would Larson choose to script his career? “We’re really focused on this season in the Nationwide Series, and beyond that I’m in no hurry. I want to get as much seat time as I can right now and work hard to get to victory lane and contend for the Nationwide Series Championship at the end of the year. I think we have a really strong team at Turner Scott Motorsports, and they’re giving me a great opportunity to grow my career. Obviously, I’d love to drive in the Sprint Cup Series one day, but I’m focused on what’s happening right now the most.”

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.

Related Articles: The 2012 K&N NASCAR Pro Series Season Ends with Kyle Larson as Champion, Kyle Larson Wins the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race at Gresham in Georgia, Corey LaJoie Wins NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race at Greenville Pickens Speedway and K&N Pro Series Racer Cory LaJoie Takes Home NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Victory at Dover Speedway

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