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Chad Wienen Goes 1-2 in AMA Pro ATV MX at Ironman Raceway in Indiana

Chad Wienen racing in the AMA Pro ATV MX at Ironman Raceway

Chad Wienen made a mid-race pass to secure the Moto 1 win at Ironman

The fourth round of the AMA ATV MX Pro National Championship proved to be a very positive weekend for K&N-sponsored Pro ATV racer Chad Wienen. Wienen started off the race day by grabbing the fastest qualifier in morning practice at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Wienen carried the momentum of that strong qualifier into the first race. Wienen came out of the first turn in Moto 1 in second place right behind the frontrunner. Wienen continued to pressure the lead rider, and just past the halfway point in the moto, Wienen was able to make a pass for the lead. He maintained that position to take the first moto win.

"We had some good battles in Moto 1 and I was pumped to be able to come out with the first win of the day,” said Wienen. “I can't thank my team enough for all of their hard work and support."

Chad Wienen on the podium at the AMA Pro ATV MX at Ironman Raceway

Wienen (left) kept the Pro ATV MX series lead by going 1 - 2

Moto 2 started as a carbon copy of the first race as Wienen came out of the first turn in second. However, after the first few corners, he was passed and sat in the third place position.

It took Wienen until just after the moto’s halfway point to make a pass to secure the second position. However, by that time, he was over 5 seconds behind the rider up front. Wienen went on to take second in Moto 2.

"It took me a while to get going in Moto 2 and once I was able to make the pass back into second place the rider out in first already had a sizeable lead,” said Wienen. “I'm still happy with the results of the weekend going 1-2 but am looking forward to the next race in Tennessee in hopes to get back to the top of the podium.".

Chad Wienen headshot

Wienen has reason to smile with a 15 point series lead

With the strong showing at Ironman, Wienen maintained his lead in the championship standings. He remains 15 points ahead of the rest of the field going into Round 5 at Muddy Creek in Blountville, Tennessee.

AMA Pro ATV MX Standings

1st - CHAD WIENEN 166

2nd - JOEL HETRICK 151 (-15)

3rd - THOMAS BROWN 131 (-35)

4th - NICHOLAS GENNUSA 122 (-44)

5th - JEFFREY RASTRELLI 122 (-44)

6th - RONNIE HIGGERSON 106 (-60)

7th - JOSH UPPERMAN 100 (-66)

8th - PARKER WEWERKA 94 (-72)

9th - WESTLEY WOLFE 68 (-98)

10th - BRETT MUSICK 65 (-101)

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Yoshimura Suzuki’s Roger Hayden Wins at VIR and Toni Elias Retains Series Lead

Roger Hayden on the podium at Virginia International Raceway

Roger Hayden notched his 5th career MotoAmerica Superbike victory at VIR

Roger Hayden racked up his fifth career MotoAmerica Superbike win at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia. The third-round victory is the first win of the season for the K&N-sponsored Yoshimura Suzuki Superbike rider.

The weekend started with rainy conditions on Friday but dried out progressively throughout the rest of the weekend. Hayden’s win came on mixed track conditions in the first Superbike race of the weekend at VIR on Saturday.

“I wanted to be more aggressive at the beginning, I felt like I had the pace to get away,” Hayden said after his win. “The team was giving me the board and I could see my lead kept growing, but I decided to back it down the last three laps since water was running onto the track in a few spots. I’m happy to finally get this win after coming up short several times earlier in the season.”

Elias and Hayden racing at Virginia International Raceway

Elias (#24) and Hayden (#95) are consistently running at the front of the pack in MotoAmerica SB

The Saturday race was not as positive for Hayden’s teammate Toni Elias. As Hayden was pulling away with the lead, Elias was in a battle for second with Josh Herrin. Herrin made an error entering a fast right-hand turn and crashed, taking Elias with him in the process.

“It was a mistake and Josh ran over to apologize,” Elias said. “This is racing and these things happen over the course of a long season and fortunately we have another race Sunday.”

The veteran Elias rebounded well from the first-race mayhem with a hard-fought second place in Sunday’s Superbike race. Late in the race, Hayden and Elias were once again running in the top three.

The K&N-sponsored Suzuki teammates were battling for second on the final lap when Hayden ran wide and off the track going into the first turn. He was able to get back on the track and finish sixth, earning valuable series points. Elias held off rival Cameron Beaubier for second place. Elias’ finish allowed him to retain his series lead after his bad luck on Saturday.

Roger Hayden and Team Yoshimura at Virginia International Raceway

K&N-sponsored Yoshimura Suzuki is emerging as the powerhouse team to beat in 2017

“It was good to get back on the podium today,” Elias said. “This was important for the championship and now I will start again and try to rebuild our lead. Our team worked very hard this weekend after I suffered some crashes and it paid off for us.”

If you are interested in increasing the performance of your Suzuki, K&N makes the SU-1009 for the 2009-2016 Suzuki GSX-R.

MotoAmerica Superbike Points Standings

1. Toni Elias, Barcelona, Spain, Suzuki – 115

2. Cameron Beaubier, Roseville, California, Yamaha – 105

3. Roger Hayden, Owensboro, Kentucky, Suzuki – 104

4. Josh Hayes, Gulfport, Mississippi, Yamaha – 69

5. Bobby Fong, Stockton, California, Kawasaki – 65

6. Mathew Scholtz, Durban, South Africa, Yamaha – 51

7. Jake Lewis, Owensboro, Kentucky, Suzuki – 51

8. Josh Herrin, Dublin, Georgia, Yamaha – 49

9. Kyle Wyman, Macedon, New York, Yamaha 45

10. Danny Eslick, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Yamaha – 40

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Martin Truex Jr Wins the Go Bowling 400 for First Time at Kansas Speedway

Martin Truex Jr, NASCAR, K&N, Go Bowling 400

Martin Truex Jr celebrates his win at the Go Bowling 400

Martin Truex Jr. won his first ever race at Kansas Speedway in the Go Bowling 400 race. This win was the second of the season and the ninth win of his career. He led for a race high 104 laps to take home his first checkered flag at the track.

“I can't even tell you,” Truex said. “It feels amazing to be here. It's been a long time coming to this racetrack for sure. We talked, I guess, on Friday about it. The close calls, the laps led, the heartbreaks that we've been through here. Definitely proud tonight to finally cross that checkered flag first and bring it home for the guys.”

Truex, who has a history at Kansas Speedway for not pushing through, showed great poise through the restarts, and eventually passed Ryan Blaney after the final restart and did not look back. Truex led 6 times for 104 laps and gained 5 more playoff points and 57 points in the win.

“You know, as a racer, you don't forget” Truex said. “You don't forget those days that ones got away or you screwed up and gave one away or anything like that. You never forget those things. They always stick with you.”

Brad Keselowski came in second place, after he rallied from two laps down. Keselowski currently sits in third place in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings. Keselowski did not lead during the race, and gained 41 points.

“Well, so much happened, I'm not sure I even know,” Keselowski said. “But we were really good all day and just never had a chance to show it. Every time we started to pass cars and cycle up to the front, we had some kind of issue, which was a real bummer to not be able to showcase the strength that we had.” Kevin Harvick finished in third place, and led once for 10 laps.

Aric Almirola, NASCAR, K&N

Aric Almirola crashes into the wreck between Danica Patrick and Joey Logano

The big story of the race was the red flag caution occurring at the end of the 200th lap. Joey Logano and Danica Patrick raced for 12th place, as Logano’s car jerked to the left causing Patrick's to crash into the boards. As Patrick's car caught in flames, Aric Almirola's car crashed into the wreck and caused NASCAR to stop the race. Almirola was forced to be extricated out of his car.

"Yeah, I'm OK," Logano said. "Just saying a lot of prayers for Aric right now. A lot of us took a hard hit. Something broke on my car. I don't know what it was. I noticed it as I was trying to go in (to Turn 1). I tried to back it off but you're going 215 (mph) and it's hard to check up. The car just took a big step sideways into the corner and I hooked Danica.

Kyle Larson, who finished in sixth place, continues to lead the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Standings with 475 points and 7 playoff points. Martin Truex Jr. is in second place with 431 points and 15 playoff points. Brad Keselowski is in third place with 408 points and 12 playoff points.

The next race in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be the Monster Energy All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

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Todd Gilliland Wins in Spokane for Fourth K&N Pro Series West Race in a Row

NASCAR, K&N Pro Series West, Todd Gilliland, Spokane County Raceway

Todd Gilliland wins the K&N Pro Series West race at Spokane County Raceway

Todd Gilliland won his fourth NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race in a row and his Bill McAnally Racing teammates swept the podium at Spokane County Raceway in Washington. Gilliland won the pole and led every lap in the Toyota NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by DAA Auto Body Center.

“When we unloaded, we were not very good to start,” Gilliland said. “Everyone really put their heads down and kept digging and didn’t worry about speed or whatever anyone else was doing. We really just focused on our NAPA Toyota and the feel of it. We got it driving quite a bit better.”

The start of the race was delayed nearly two hours because of rain. The cars turned 102 laps on the track to try to dry it before the race started. Gilliland won his fifth pole in a row and it was the second race in a row he led from green to checkered flag. He won the K&N Pro Series West race at Irwindale Speedway from pole to finish.

NASCAR, K&N Pro Series West, Todd Gilliland, Spokane County Raceway

Todd Gilliland (16) won the pole and led every lap in the K&N Pro Series West race at Spokane

“We were fastest in qualifying and that set us up great for the race,” Gilliland said after the race in Spokane. “We were able to get out to the lead and manage it from there.”

Derek Kruas, Gilliland’s 15-year-old teammate at Bill McAnally Racing, was second. Kraus started on the front row with Gilliland and kept pace through three caution periods and restarts.

“They were telling me about him on the radio,” Gilliland said. “Derek did an amazing job today. I’m sure he’ll get a win before the season is over. I’m just happy we could hold him off this time.”

NASCAR, K&N Pro Series West, Todd Gilliland, Spokane County Raceway

Todd Gilliland (16) won his fourth K&N Pro Series West race in a row at Spokane County Raceway

Kraus, who is third in the K&N Pro Series West rookie of the year standings, posted his third top-five finish in five races. “We got to second and rode a little bit until the break,” Kraus said. “After the break we got going, but caught lapped traffic.”

Chris Eggleston, the 2015 K&N Pro Series West champion, was third in the race at Spokane. Gilliland, the reigning K&N Pro Series West champion, extended his lead in the K&N Pro Series West standings. He has a 20-point lead over Eggleston after five races. Gilliland has 11 wins in 20 career K&N Pro Series West starts.

The next K&N Pro Series West race is at The Orange Show in California.

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Shayna Texter of the K&N-Sponsored RMR Racing Team Wins the Arizona Mile AFT 2

Shayna Texter racing in the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

Shayna Texter handled the Arizona heat and racing pressure to win the Arizona Mile (Photo Am Pro FT)

Professional flat track racer, Shayna Texter, showed that she still has what it takes to win on the big stage with her impressive victory in the Arizona Mile in the Singles Class of the American Pro Flat Track series. The diminutive speedster is the only female in the upper echelon of the dirt oval racing circuit, and clearly Texter is changing the perception of women in the racing paddock.

It had been nearly four years since Texter had stepped up to the top podium spot in a major flat track event. However, the long, hot, and slick Turf Paradise track proved to be just what the K&N-sponsored Richie Morris Racing team rider needed to return to her winning ways. The satisfaction and relief was evident in Texter’s post-race comments.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve won,” Texter said. “It’s been a rough couple years. It’s a huge step in the right direction to get back on track for myself. It’s rewarding to the team to reward them and show them that all of their hard work is paying off. It’s an exciting future for RMR Racing.”

Shayna Texter trackside at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

Texter collects her thoughts trackside before the Main Event in Phoenix (Photo Tim Kessel)

The victory did not come easy. Brandon Price and Tristan Avery were dogged in their pursuit of Texter throughout the Main Event. When she was passed late in the Main, Texter was surgical in her recapturing of the lead.

All three front runners rode a clean and smooth final, but Texter proved to be the rider of the day under the Arizona sun. The win margin was an ultra tight .041 of a second.

Texter is aware that she is a trailblazer and an inspiration to young girls that aspire to excel in male-dominated fields.

“It’s incredible,” Texter said. “The fans are the real reason why I continue to race when it’s tough. To see the look on the little girls and women, and (they)… come up to you and tell you you’re an inspiration - that inspires me to keep riding. To have their support means everything.”

Prior to her win in the Arizona Mile, Texter had consecutive podium finishes with a second and third in the previous two rounds. She now leads the AFT 2 series by 5 points.

Shayna Texter banner at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

K&N is a proud sponsor of RMR Racing and Shayna Texter (Photo Tim Kessel)

With 4 more Miles in the next 5 races, the schedule looks good for Texter to make a legitimate run for the title.

American Pro Flat Track Schedule:

May 20: Sacramento Mile – Cal Expo Fairgrounds, Sacramento, California

May 27-28: Springfield Mile I* – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois

June 3: Red Mile – The Red Mile, Lexington, Kentucky

June 17: OKC Mile – Remington Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

June 24: Lima Half-Mile – Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio

July 8: Rolling Wheels Half-Mile – Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Elbridge, New York

July 29: Calistoga Half-Mile – Calistoga Speedway, Calistoga, California

Aug. 6: Buffalo Chip TT presented by Indian Motorcycle – Buffalo Chip Campgrounds, Sturgis, South Dakota

Aug. 8: Black Hills Half-Mile – Black Hills Speedway, Rapid City, South Dakota

Aug. 13: Peoria TT – Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, Illinois

Sept. 2-3: Springfield Mile II** – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois

Sept. 9: Williams Grove Half-Mile – Williams Gove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Sept. 23: Lone Star Half-Mile – Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas

Oct. 7: Perris Short Track – Perris Auto Speedway, Perris, California

* AFT Singles will race a TT on May 27

** AFT Singles will race a Short Track on Sept. 2

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