Racers from K&N Engineering Ready for NHRA SPORTSnationals

K&N Engineering is proud to present the NHRA Pacific SPORTSnationals at California Speedway. Some of the best Sportsman racers in the West will assemble at Auto Club Dragway from September 28 through October 1.

The SPORTSnationals are NHRA national events which highlight NHRA’s sportsman categories. Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street along with the division’s Top Comp and Super Eliminator categories will be showcased. K&N is also promoting grass roots and semi-profession NHRA racing.

K&N's Steve Williams' 1962 Corvette
K&N's Steve Williams' 1962 Corvette

Jonathan Fiello's 2003 Undercover Dragster
K&N's Jonathan Fiello's 2003 Undercover Dragster

Steve Williams, Bob Harris, Jonathan Fiello and Tom Brown work for K&N and will race in the SPORTSnationals.

“Competing at an event that is sponsored by the company I work for is pretty cool,” said Tom Brown. “Not every racer can say the same thing.” Brown competes in Competition Eliminator in the F/ED (F/Econo Dragster) class. His chassis is a 2005 Custom 195” wheel base dragster. Brown’s father, Gene Brown, built the engine and it is a normally aspirated 187 cubic inch Pontiac four-cylinder. Tom Brown said the best part of racing is the adrenaline rush with each pass.

“Currently my dad and I have equipped our car with a K&N Intake Scoop (100-8505),” said Brown. “We saw an immediate change in the air/fuel ratio the first time we ran with the scoop. The engine had leaned out significantly which indicated the there was more air flow into the carburetors.”

K&N's Bob Harris' 2000 Chevy Corvette
K&N's Bob Harris' 2000 Chevy Corvette


K&N's Tom Brown's 2005 Competition Eliminator
K&N's Tom Brown's 2005 Competition Eliminator


K&N’s Jonathan Fiello drives a 2003 Undercover 4-link dragster in the Top Comp class. It has a 638 cubic inch fuel injected big block Chevrolet. “Knowing I’m at the track representing the race sponsor is an honor,” said Fiello. “I fell like there are more eyes on me and this drives me to do better. It also helps with potential and existing customers when questions come up about K&N Products.”

Fiello’s best time to date is 7.14 at 188 mph. He said the best part of racing is the thrill of victory. “I use K&N Oil Filter HP-3002 and the E-3003,” said Fiello. “The oil filter is the best on the market and it prevents contaminates from damaging the motor. The E-3003 K&N Filter covers the fuel injection nozzles and prevents debris from clogging the nozzle.”

Bob Harris also works for K&N and drives a 2000 convertible Chevy Corvette built by Gary Hansen Race Cars. The motor in the car was built at K&N by John Reedy. The vet is 565 cubic inches and makes a 1000 + horsepower.

“Competing at a K&N sponsored race can be good and bad,” said Harris. “The bad part is you have a little extra pressure to do real well. The good part is when you win the race your employer put on.” Harris won the K&N Filters NHRA Winternationals at Pomona in 2004. “That was a great experience,” he said. “The feeling of going 0 mph to 160+ mph is the best. The competition in my class is unreal. When you have a good day racing it feels real good. The other good part about racing is hanging out and bench racing with all your friends at the track.”

Steve Williams’ NHRA career began in 1990. The K&N Vice President of Product Development and Engineering compiled 16 semi-final and 4 final round appearances, winning in Seattle in 2003. In addition, Williams won Division Championships in 1991 and 1998 in Super Comp and Super Gas. In 1999, he was runner-up in the Super Gas Division at the K&N Filters Winternationals in Pomona, California. Williams uses K&N Air and Oil filters and the K&N Composite Intake Scoop on his vehicles.

“I’m going to race my new 2006 Ben Worthy Chassis Rear Engine Dragster and my 1962 Corvette Super Gas at the SPORTSnationals,” said Williams. “I love the camaraderie and the fierce competition. It’s also a big deal to finish in the top ten.”

K&N Engineering, Inc. has a long history of experience, combined with first-hand knowledge that goes into every product sold. K&N’s products are designed by people whose way of life, inside and outside of K&N, is racing.

Follow Tom Brown's, Jonathan Fiello's, Bob Harris' and Steve Williams' progress throughout the racing season at the K&N news site. 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.