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Jonathon Payne Wins His Third Consecutive Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Points Race

Of his last eight races of the 2011 season, Jonathon Payne managed to walk away with six victories.
Of his last eight races of the 2011 season, Jonathon Payne managed to walk away with six victories.
Winning the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League points race for the previous two seasons, Jonathan Payne and team Major Payne went into 2011 with aspirations of taking the title one more time. Well, Payne and his crew were once again successful. When all was said and done, they walked away with 261 points, exceeding the second place driver by sixteen points.
Jonathon Payne and Major Payne Pulling recently won the points race in the Lucas Oil pro Pulling League for the third consecutive season.
Jonathon Payne and Major Payne Pulling recently won the points race in the Lucas Oil pro Pulling League for the third consecutive season.


As the season's end drew near, Payne and his crew focused on holding on to their lead in the points race. As far as they were concerned keeping his Major Payne Ford running strong and making the right gear choices were two essential ingredients of the recipe for success. Evidently, Jonathon and Team Major Payne were able to do just that throughout the remainder of the season, as the driver managed to earn six victories during the final eight pulls of 2011.

Throughout the entire season, Jonathon Payne has gone toe to toe with his fellow competitors from the seat of a 2005 Ford extended cab Ranger. The 485 cubic inch engine nestled between the fender welds was fueled through a single four-barrel carburetor. Gripping the dirt were four 31-15.50-15 Dick Capex Pulling tires.

Granted, all of Payne's fellow drivers sported impressive trucks, engines and tires as well. That said though, Payne's rig differed a great deal in one aspect in particular; he was one of few drivers manning a Ford. In fact, According to Jonathon, he was pretty well the only competitor in the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling league throughout Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, pulling with a Ford while one other driver from Illinois who attended pulls on a consistent basis shared his make of pickup.
Jonathon Payne and Major Payne Pulling have depended upon K&N filters to protect their engine from dust, dirt and grime for the past twelve seasons.
Jonathon Payne and Major Payne Pulling have depended upon K&N filters to protect their engine from dust, dirt and grime for the past twelve seasons.


When asked why Chevy's seemed to be the most popular makes of trucks in the league, Payne said, "Parts, new and old, are more plentiful for Chevys and less expensive." Explaining why he chose to drive a ford, Payne continued, "My dad and grandpa always drove Fords. My first truck was a 1979, F250 four-by-four, with a 460, that I drove to school. I started driving them on the farm and cutting firewood, before I had my license."

When asked what he considered as his strong point as a driver, Payne's answer was short and to the point, "Consistency." That said, although Jonathon's driving skills play a huge role in his success, he is quick to agree that his team is also of importance. Referring to his team, the driver said, "It's nice to have help, and someone that will give me an honest opinion."

Jonathon Payne and Team Major Payne are obviously considered by their competitors as a force to be reckoned with, as they have walked away victorious too many times to be considered as anything less. That said, the team is acutely aware of exactly what it takes to win on a consistent basis and one can rest assured that proper maintenance is on the top of their list. "I use the K&N 6X14 high flow air filter on my pulling truck," explained Payne. "I use their oil filter and air intake system on my 2008 Ford F350 tow vehicle, and my 700 Yamaha Rhino. Having a great sponsor like K&N and using their products for the past twelve years means I don't have to worry about any air or oil filter related problems."

Referring to his fans, the 2011 Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League champion continued, "Thanks for your support and encouragement. Even though my truck is loud, I can still here the crowd cheering at the end of the pull."

As one might suspect, Jonathon Payne, and Team Major Payne are looking forward to the upcoming season. That said, if all goes as hoped for, Payne fans might see somewhat of a change, as the driver is currently on the hunt for a major sponsor to assist in a move up to the Modified Four-Wheel-Drive class.

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Jason Meyers and Elite Racing Earns a Victory at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Canada

Jason Meyers and the Elite Racing Team recently expereinced a win at the Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Canada in the 410 class of the World of Outlaws Series.
Jason Meyers and the Elite Racing Team recently expereinced a win at the Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Canada in the 410 class of the World of Outlaws Series.
Jason Meyers, of Clovis, California, and the Elite Racing Team, recently embarked upon their annual journey to Edmonton, Canada, where they would compete in the 410 class of the World of Outlaws series in the Oil City Cup and Commonwealth Clash.
Jason Meyers resently set a track record prior to winning the feature at the Castrol Raceway, in Edmondton, Canada.
Jason Meyers resently set a track record prior to winning the feature at the Castrol Raceway, in Edmondton, Canada.


Arriving on the first night at the Castrol Raceway, Jason Meyers immediately got down to business in his number 14 GLR Investments KPC car, as he set quick time and established a new track record. Finishing fourth in his heat race, Meyers lined up fourth on the dash and worked his way to the third place position before the run's end. Starting in the third position in the feature, the driver was confident he was in an ideal spot to challenge his fellow drivers for the checkered flag.

"Castrol Raceway is a beautiful facility, and the track is known for great racing," shared Meyers. "We went out and set a track record on both Friday and Saturday night. Setting a track record does give you a lot of confidence," he continued, "but you also have to have everything else go right during the night in order to turn a track record into a win. Having Charlie Garrett horsepower on any race track is an advantage, and it is what helped us get a few track records this season."

Meyers said, "The dash draw really went our way, since they either invert the top four, six, or eight cars. Having the four car be a diversion did help. During the dash, I was able to feel out the track, and gained position. That set us up to start third in the feature. You want to move up as many positions as you can in the dash so you can have a good start in the main event," explained Meyers. "It's like you are essentially laying the groundwork for the main event during both the heat and the dash."

Lining up beside Donny Schatz in the thirty-lap main event, Meyers began to work his way to the front upon the waving on the green flag. Although fellow driver, Jason Sides, got the jump and passed Meyers in lap one, he continued his quest for the first place position, and by the end of the fourth lap had already made it to the runner-up spot. At that point, the 83 car of Paul McMahan was the only obstacle separating him from the first place position. The 2010 Oil City Champion continued to pursue McMahan, and ultimately took the lead in lap eighteen. Although Donny Schatz challenged him in the final laps, Meyers managed to hold the lead, earning his fourth victory of the season.

"We had a really good start in the #14 GLR Investments KPC," recalled Meyers. "By the fourth lap of the race, we had cleared Jason Sides, who had started in the second position, and were starting to track down, Paul McMahan, who was the leader at the time. Donny Schatz got past McMahan, and had a shot at us on a late race restart. We were able to find a little more speed at the end of the race to pull away for the win."

Having led in the points race since July, Jason Meyers and his team believe that consistency is the key to continued success. "We have not had a lot of wins this season, compared to the past two years, but we've been consistent" explained Meyers. "This is why we are leading the championship."

"We have been trying to go out and win as many races as possible, but it comes down to those top-five finishes and staying out of trouble. If we are able to finish the rest of the races consistently this season, and stay out of trouble, the points will take care of themselves."

Referring to the importance of proper maintenance, Meyers said, "We have been using K&N's products since 1993. We use a variety of K&N products on our race cars and street cars. They make the best products on the market."

When asked what he enjoys most about the sport of racing, Jason Meyers said, "I just love competing. I love that thrill of the intensity it takes to win races and the focus you have to maintain to win championships."

When asked if there was a message that he would like to relay to his sponsors and fans, Meyers answered, "Thank you DDNI, GLR Investments, Media Tile, Allstar Performance, K&N and everyone who makes this happen. My guys just keep digging, and the results show that."

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Brett Moffitt Wins K&N Pro Series East Race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Racer Brett Moffitt
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Racer Brett Moffitt
New Hampshire Motor Speedway has been the site of a number of runner-up finishes for Brett Moffitt. He finally broke through with the first win of his NASCAR K&N Pro Series East career at the track on Friday in a rain-shortened race. Moffitt, who finished second three times in five starts at New Hampshire, led his Revolution Racing teammates in a 1-2-3 finish and trimmed the lead of K&N Pro Series East standings leader Max Gresham to 21 points with one race remaining.
Brett Moffitt wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Brett Moffitt wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway


"Before the race I was thinking about how many times I had finished second here, and I wanted to get that off my back, so we did," Moffitt said. "Although we didn't run the whole race, I feel like we would have been there at the end either way."

Moffitt led a race-high 53 laps taking the lead from pole winner Darrell Wallace Jr. on lap 16 of the New Hampshire 125. The race ended after 78 laps because of rain and darkness.

"We knew we were way better than him," Moffitt said. "It was just a matter of getting the momentum off the corner here with these little horsepower motors. It's hard to do that."

Sergio Peña finished second, followed by Wallace in third. Gresham, who came into the race at New Hampshire with a 65-point lead over Moffitt, finished seventh.

"We knew the rain was coming, we were watching the radar all day," Peña said. "They were saying to go as quick as you can. We got up there to second pretty early and we were trying to chase down the (No.) 00 but Brett and all of those guys at Michael Waltrip Racing are always a fast car."

It was Wallace's best finish in four career K&N Pro Series East starts at New Hampshire.

"We qualified pole, set a track record," Wallace said. "We were leading those first couple of laps and getting those extra bonus points. But the car started to fade away. We had to fight for that lost two positions. Just sat there and rode in third. I was able to pull away from the fourth place car. I didn't really have anything to worry about behind me, just focus on the two guys in front of me."

There were two caution periods in the race, the second one coming on lap 70 when Scott Bouley spun out as the rain started to fall on the track. The race ended under caution on lap 78 with Moffitt in the lead.

"It was definitely getting slick," Moffitt said. "But as soon as that caution came out, I was just praying, let it rain."

Moffitt has won the past two K&N Pro Series East races at Dover International Speedway, site of the season finale on Friday night. He might need a third win in a row to chase down Gresham for the K&N Pro Series East championship.

"We had a dominant car and I think we definitely deserved this win," Moffitt said. "Now the championship chase is on going in to Dover."

The New Hampshire 125 will be broadcast on Speed on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.

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Brad Springer Earns 2011 Angola Speedway Track Champion Title

Brad Sprionger poses with his trophy after recently winning the 2011 points race at the Angola Speedway.
Brad Sprionger poses with his trophy after recently winning the 2011 points race at the Angola Speedway.
At the age of fifteen, Brad Springer began his racing career at the Angola Speedway, in Angola, Indiana. Although the driver has not actually raced full-time at this particular venue in over fifteen years, he still considers it as his home track. That said, there was no better location for Springer to end the 2011 season, racing in front of hometown friends, family and fans.
Brad Springer and Team Brad Springer Racing, recently won the points championship at the Angola Speedway, in Angola, Indiana.
Brad Springer and Team Brad Springer Racing, recently won the points championship at the Angola Speedway, in Angola, Indiana.


Driving the #61 K&N Filters, TeamSE modified car, Springer entered the race in a good position. In fact, Springer led the points race by 65 points going into the event. Even though he had the luxury of a comfortable lead, the driver still had full intentions of earning a checkered flag. Beginning the day by setting the fastest pace in practice, the driver followed suit and qualified with the fastest time as well.

Everything had gone as planned thus far, but the team's luck suddenly went south going into the feature. Starting toward the tail, the driver experienced an ill-handling car throughout the race, and in turn, finished in seventh place, the worst finish he had experienced throughout the entire season. Fortunately, Brad's impressive lead going into the race was still enough to cinch the 2011 points championship anyway.

"I really felt good about our shot at another feature going into the race," recalled Springer, "but that was short lived after the feature started. The car didn't handle well at all. I came to the track with a different set-up than I normally run, and it seemed fast for the short run, but wasn't a good set-up for the long run. There were a lot of long green flag runs in the feature.
After begiining his racing career, at age fifteen, at Angola Speedway, Brad Springer return to race at the venue full time this season.
After begiining his racing career, at age fifteen, at Angola Speedway, Brad Springer return to race at the venue full time this season.


I was absolutely disappointed in a seventh place finish," he continued. "That was my worst finish of the year, and I wished I would have left the set-up the way it was, instead of trying something new. I'm always trying to find more speed, and in order to do that, you have to take risks. This one just didn't pan out."

Although Brad Springer and his team were unhappy with the outcome of this one particular race, the disappointment was short lived, as at the feature's end, they celebrated earning the title of 2011 Angola Speedway Track Champions.

"I have earned a track championship at M-40 Speedway, in Jones, Michigan, and the USA Modified Series Championship in 2010," recalled Springer. "This was my first championship at Angola Motor Speedway. I have finished second there a couple of times, way back when I first started racing, but have never earned a championship on that track before. It felt really good to bring home a championship from the track I like to call home. I have a lot of fans in the area and it was nice to be there regularly for them. The competition is always fierce at Angola. There are a lot of really good cars that travel a distance to compete at that track, and that makes for really good racing."

When asked about maintaining his race car, Brad Springer explained that he had been using K&N products for an excess of twenty years, The driver currently uses K&N wrench-off oil filters, air filters, and multiple breathers on the racecar, as well as their air intake system on his hauler. "K&N by far has the best product on the market," explained the driver. "I've seen a horsepower increase in the race motor, and fuels savings on my truck. I wouldn't use anything else."

When asked it his recent championship season will have a bearing on the upcoming season, Springer said, "I am really looking forward to the upcoming season. We will either return to Angola for a second championship, or travel with a new regional series and see if we can pick up another regional championship. Either way, this championship has definitely helped pave the way for future success."

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Austin Reed Gears Up To Race In USLCI Legend Car National Event

A senior and honor role student at Frontier High School, in Bakersfield, California, Austin Reed was introduced to racing whgile watching his father at an early age, and has pursued the sport as a driver.
A senior and honor role student at Frontier High School, in Bakersfield, California, Austin Reed was introduced to racing whgile watching his father at an early age, and has pursued the sport as a driver.
An honor student and senior at Frontier High School, in Bakersfield, California, Austin Reed grew up watching his father race, and in turn acquired a passion for the sport at an early age. In fact, the young driver has been racing in the Legend Car class for the past three years. When asked his thoughts on competing in the Legend Tour, Reed said, "The thing that I enjoy most about the SRL Legends Tour is the ability to travel from track to track, gaining the experience."
Seventeen-year-old, Austin Reed, recently qualified to race in the USLCI Legend Car National event to be held in Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Seventeen-year-old, Austin Reed, recently qualified to race in the USLCI Legend Car National event to be held in Las Vegas Motor Speedway.


Although the 17-year-old driver has only three years of experience under his belt, he has definitely already begun to make a showing. In fact, during a recent race at the Orange Show Speedway, at San Bernardino, California, Reed finished fifth overall, and earned a win in the Semi-Pro division event, landing a guaranteed starting spot in the USLCI Legend Car National event, to be held at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the later part of October.

When asked his thoughts on the fifth place finish, the driver said, "I was happy, and disappointed at the same time. We ran the race and had a decent finish, although I know I could have finished better if I hadn't been held up earlier in the race." Reed then continued, "To win the Semi-pro division was good to know, because it gave us the National qualifier win that can be a great help later in the season."

Referring to his National qualifier victory Reed said, "The competition was very stiff! The track record was beaten earlier that day in qualifying. I think the key to winning that race was being patiently aggressive. Going into the race, I felt pretty confident that we could win our division. We had been running fast all day in practice and I was hoping to do it during the race."
Austin Reed (in the middle of the pack) recently managed to remain in control and finish the race when his car came within inches of rolling onto its side.
Austin Reed (in the middle of the pack) recently managed to remain in control and finish the race when his car came within inches of rolling onto its side.


When asked in what lap he took the lead, Austin Reed answered, "I try not to focus on lap count, and who else I'm racing when I'm running the race, but more on focusing on my line and what I need to do to run as fast as possible. After I passed the other Semi-Pro to take the lead, I wasn't really challenged, but I tried to just continue moving forward."

As he prepares for the USLCI Legend Car National event, Austin Reed will obviously focus on what he thinks might be the determining factors that will lead to a victory. "I think the key to success at the Nationals race is going to endurance and survival," shared Reed. "It's going to be a very long and difficult race to win." When asked if he would be happy with anything other than a victory at Las Vegas, he continued, "I really think that a top five would be a victory to me, but a win is always best."

The young driver is aware that his previous and future success also depends a great deal on his team as well. "My team is everything I have accomplished, and I can't thank them enough for what they do for me," he explained.

Referring to the importance of proper maintenance of his race car, Reed continued, "I use K&N products on everything I can, whether it's my race car, or personal car. I've been using their products for almost three years now. I use their air filters and oil filters on everything I drive. I think K&N has the best products on the market, and some of the best customer services. I definitely credit part of my success to K&N. Without the help and support they have given me, it would make it much more difficult to accomplish what I have."

In closing, Austin Reed said, "I would just like to thank all of my sponsors and fans for all of their support they have given me throughout my racing career, and especially my dad!"

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