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With movies like Bullitt, Le Mans, On Any Sunday, Cars2, the name McQueen has long been synonymous with speed and cool drama. What the name isn't as universally identified with is being a girl - yet even that depends on who you ask. Question for example some of the fastest dirt midget drivers racing in the Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA), and they'll tell you Shannon "Lightning" McQueen is indeed a dramatically cool, supremely fast competitor. And of course from their angle, looking at the back of her helmet, it's tough for them to tell she's a girl.
Shannon "Lightning" McQueen admits that being the first female to a lot of things does indeed motivate her to do even more.
Showcasing her skills and poise, the K&N sponsored, Bakersfield, California resident recently brought home two hard earned second place finishes, another new track record and an increased BCRA dirt points lead after two impressive runs at Silver Dollar Speedway and Placerville Speedway on successive nights.
"It was really nice to run second both nights, but of course we were a little disappointed that we did not get a win at least one of those nights as we had a really fast car both nights and had issues both nights," McQueen told K&N Race News. "Friday night at Chico we had a right rear tire go flat in the feature so we were really lucky to finish, let alone hang on for second."
Understating matters to a degree that would make Steve, the other McQueen proud, she says, "The car was really difficult to drive the last laps, as the car would not rotate in the corner. On Saturday night we had a great car for the feature, fell back to eighth, or tenth, and worked our way back up and had a chance at the win, but had a rear-end fail with 15 laps to go. That sprayed the rear-end fluid out on the brake rotor so I had no brakes. No excuses for the weekend though, just some minor issues. I think the highlight of the weekend was that we broke the track record at Chico on Friday, so now we have four current track records (Orange Show (pavement); Petaluma, Calistoga and now Chico (all on dirt)."
McQueen admits that being the first female to a lot of things really does motivate her. "It is really cool to be the first female driver to win a USAC Western States event (she remains the only female to win a race with the organization). I am also the first female driver to win on the dirt and pavement with BCRA."
McQueen in fact holds the 2011 BCRA dirt points series lead and stands to be the first female to win a championship in midget division on the West Coast. "We have set a lot of firsts in my career. I think I have paid my dues and the guys see me as a racer. The newer ones coming in don't, they just see me as a girl, however, they find out pretty quick that I am serious about this and I am a racer first."
2011 is by far McQueen's finest season to date she says. "We have a string of top-three finishes with BCRA and do not have a finish outside the top-five with them so far this year. I think we only have one finish outside of the top-ten for the year. We are very blessed with the season we have had, so I can't really complain even if there aren't more wins. My team and I have been super dedicated to the season this year, and have had a lot of luck."
When discussing the importance of setting track records McQueen says, "I think the one that I am most proud of is Calistoga. That race track and race is pretty prestigious so that is really cool. Setting track records is pretty neat, but to back them up with great finishes is good as well. It means you were fast all night and did not just get lucky."
Next up for McQueen Racing is Chico, where she will be running two cars for the night, then it's back to Bakersfield for a race this weekend (Sept. 10). "There are two more races with BCRA for the championship so hopefully we can wrap that deal up. We have an opportunity to wrap it up Thursday night at Chico if we have a good run, so that would be great, then we will have no pressure the last race of the year."
Feeling extremely confident with his new truck setup, for a brief second, Jeremy Deakins contemplates running it on an extreme roller coaster track.
It was Jimi Hendrix that claimed if a six turned out to be nine, he wouldn't mind, but it was Team Deaknbuilt LLC that poised yet another whimsical "new math" equation - when does three-plus-three equal two? The answer, when you go racing and finish third on back-to-back nights in the 1450 Class, giving you the second best overall performance at the two-day SNORE Midnight Special event.
Two third place finishes added up to silver for Deaknbuilt Racing at the SNORE Midnight Special event.
The Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts (SNORE) is a family of off-road desert racers helping to promote desert racing in and around the Las Vegas, Nevada area. The Midnight Special is one of groups more unique events, attempting to escape the brutal day heat of the desert, the race begins at dusk and runs well past midnight. The 2011 race included two nights of competition over an 8.6 mile layout that started and finished behind Buffalo Bill's hotel casino just east of I-15 in Primm, Nevada.
"The course was the same both Friday and Saturday night," Jeremy Deakins, driver of the Lucas Oil/Deaknbuilt Ranger told K&N Race News. "Friday evening however, there was a thunderstorm which created a lot of mud and rain and obstructed vision. Saturday night was the opposite. The mud dried up and the first couple miles were full of blinding dust and the course was pretty torn up by then."
For Jeremy and Deaknbuilt Racing this race was a real-time shakedown for the new setup on No. 1481 and by every indication it was all systems go. With 42 other trucks on the tight course at once, Jeremy had to hold off some mighty tough competition on both nights, proving once more that persistence, consistency and a heaping helping of some old fashion "wheelin it" pays off. "It was a slugfest out there," added Jeremy. "All glory to God and great work by the entire team."
After struggling with growing pains in the beginning of the season due to the upgrades on their truck the K&N sponsored team feels it has all paid off now towards the conclusion of the year.
"At the beginning of the year we did a truck upgrade," explained Jeremy. "We upgraded to a three-link rear suspension, thanks to Dillion at ICON for engineering the setup and helping out with a set of ICON rear coil covers. Also, we upgraded the front end to a Threat Motorsports equal length race suspension built by Dave at Threat Motorsports. The second place finish at the SNORE Midnight Special was our first race on the new combination of suspension and for the maiden voyage it worked awesome."
Jeremy says he really enjoys the night racing format, adding, "Vision is not really ever a factor in the night race because of the light set up on the truck provided by Light Force, and it makes night racing a lot of fun."
When talking about how the 2011 race season is shaping up overall for Deaknbuilt Racing, Jeremy says, "It started out slow. The first race at 'Battle at Primm' we struggled with growing pains and due to the upgrades on the truck we missed two races prior to the Midnight Special, but it seems to have paid off. We have moved from 33rd in points to 12th."
There are two races remaining for Deaknbuilt Racing, "Ridgecrest" in October, and "Rage at the River" in December. "We are looking forward to both races," Jeremy adds.
Frankie plans on moving into full-size midgets on dirt next year.
"Frankie is very serious about his racing, his long term goals are to become a professional race car driver in either the Indy Car Racing Series or NASCAR." That's how 16-year-old Francesco Ottavio Guerrini III, or Frankie, ends his current race resume. The young San Rafael, California native is taking all the rights steps, and making the big moves, so that dream can become his reality. Judging from the post race donuts he was spinning in Stockton, California, Frankie was very pleased with his recent performance at Delta Speedway. Frankie won both his heats and then won the Main Event.
Frankie received the "Paul Tyler, Rising Star Award" by the Motorsports Press Association.
"This was huge for Frankie and the team," Frank Sr., told K&N Race News, "His first sweep on dirt in the 600's."
2011 is the San Rafael High School senior's first season racing in the 600 stock non-wing class, and he has already taken the checkered twice, and had a number of second place finishes to go along with his top-five finishes. According to Frank, his dad, this season has been a kind of test year to see how Frankie likes non-wing competition, and to see whether he is ready to move up to full-size midgets.
Frankie's first season on dirt, after ten years racing on pavement, was last year in the winged restrictor class. He finished that 2010 championship in second place, earning Rookie of the Year Honors in the process. If Frankie's race curve history is any indication, he will be ready for full-size midgets whenever dad agrees to let him move up. Since he first started racing at age six Frankie has been asking for more power and speed, and when he gets it, he delivers.
His continuing need for speed has taken 16-year-old Frankie into a four-way battle for the 600 stock non-wing class championship.
In 2000 Frankie started racing go-karts and three years later he moved up to quarter midgets, which he raced until 2007, setting fast times, track records and countless top-five finishes and main event wins along the way. In 2008 Frankie decided to move to the big tracks, racing mini-cups on 1/4 mile paved ovals. Frankie raced in this series for one year, before he decided that the mini-cups just didn't have enough power or speed, and wanted to try racing on dirt. So, for 2009 Frankie went back to go-karts and kept in racing shape at Infineon Raceway, until his 2010 debut on the 600 stage.
F&F Racing's first non-wing victory came back in May of 2011.
Other notable 2011 accomplishments include the "Paul Tyler, Rising Star Award," presented to Frankie back in January by the Motorsports Press Association. Frankie also tested one of the Western Speed Racing Focus Midgets early this year with, Kevin Gerhardt, and by all indications he did very well. Frankie says that he would like to run some races with their team next year, if he can get enough sponsorship to do so.
There are four races left for K&N sponsored F&F Racing and Frankie Guerrini, and currently the top four drivers are bunched together for the overall 600 stock non-wing class championship. You can bet dollars-to-donuts that Frankie is looking for his line to the top of that crowd. Frankie plans on moving into the full-size midgets on dirt in 2012.
He will race with BCRA next year, and hopefully some USAC races as well.
Eric Holmes wins NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at Spokane County Raceway in Washington
In a season filled with disqualifications, penalties and setbacks, Eric Holmes, a three-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion, won his first race of the season at Spokane County Raceway in Washington on Saturday night.
It was the 15th K&N Pro Series West win of his career and his first since Oct. 16, 2010, at All American Speedway in Roseville, California.
NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Champion Eric Holmes
"We had a great car all night," said Holmes, driver of the No. 20 Toyota for Bill McAnally Racing. "The car was good, moving up. I felt like I was gaining on them at the end of the first 100. The NAPA Toyota team made a great change there at the halfway break. I think that's all we needed. And I got great restarts."
Greg Pursley, the leader in the K&N Pro Series West standings, all but wrapped up the championship with a third-place finish.
"We had a good night. It's a real good night for the Gene Price Motorsports Fords," Pursley said. "Just was a little bit off, a little bit tight. Made a few adjustments on the halftime break and made it a little better. Got up there and raced with them guys. Just a little bit off tonight. Congratulations to Eric and those guys. They finally got one."
Holmes, the reigning K&N Pro Series West champion, had to fend off rookie Dylan Kwasniewski for two restarts in the final 20 laps of the race.
Kwasniewski won the pole and led the first 103 laps of the Spokane 200. Holmes, who started sixth, worked his way to the front and took the lead on lap 104. He held it for 43 laps before Kwasniewski regained the lead for a couple laps.
Holmes took back the lead on lap 150 and was out front for the last 50 laps of the race.
Justin Funkhouser spun out on lap 185 and the race was red-flagged to clean up the mess. When the race restarted on lap 192, it set up an eight-lap dash to the finish between Holmes and Kwasniewski.
"Racing side-by-side was great," said Kwasniewski, who led a race-high 105 laps. "We had the car to win. He definitely had a first-place car, too. It was just who made the less mistakes and who drove the hardest."
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West made its first visit to Spokane County Raceway since 1979.
All Pursley, Kwasniewski's teammate at Gene Price Motorsports, needs to do is start the next K&N Pro Series West race at Roseville to win the championship, the first of his career. Pursley has a 294-point lead over Moses Smith in the K&N Pro Series West standings.
"A little bit closer to that championship there, so we got two races to go," Pursley said. "Hopefully all we got to do is start them. Good night."
Luis Martinez Jr. finished fourth and Smith was fifth in the race at Spokane County Raceway.
The Spokane 200 will be broadcast on Speed on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
The next K&N Pro Series West race is the Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 at All American Speedway in Roseville, California, on October 15.
1999 B/SA Chevy Camaro at Brainerd International Raceway
Durand, Illinois resident Nick Folk has been on quite a streak as of late. From his runner-up finish, in the pea soup foggy conditions, during the World Super Pro Challenge at Mid-Michigan Motorplex, to his Quick Rod win at the IHRA Nitro Jam in Martin, Michigan, Folk most recently added another feather to his season when he drove the Folk family's 1999 B/SA Camaro to the final round during the 30th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.
NHRA Stock Car Racer Nick Folk at 30th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
Folk was very aware of the other B/SA entries during qualifying for the NHRA event. "Our 1999 Camaro is one of the quicker ones in the country, but it just so happened to be that at that race there were two of them there that were quicker," he confessed. "We didn't make an all-out run during all of qualifying. It's really kinda hard to get more than the first three rounds correct, as far as staying away from a heads up run. It's really the only reason, that and to try to position yourself on the bye side of the ladder. Stock is definitely a class where you have to pay attention to qualifying and where you place yourself."
After all the dust settled from qualifying, Folk's first round match up would be with Charles Blossom and his 2004 SRT-4, who was a much slower entry and had the first chance to go red. Folk was more than ready with his .008 light, but as mentioned blossom lit up the wrong color bulb by .003 and sent Folk to round two for his paring with Dan Jeska and his 1972 Duster. This time it would be a clean start on both side s of the tree and Folk was able to grab just enough of the stripe to shut out Jeska.
"Round three, I feel that was my lucky round," he admitted. "I had heads-up run that round where the guy was faster than me, but he turned it red, so I guess he thought that my car was faster than it was. The guy had me outrun my six hundredths and then he turned it five thou red. So that for sure was a lucky round. I really should have been headed home after that round Saturday afternoon."
Come Sunday morning, Folk must have had a very special breakfast as he posted a near perfect light in round four. "I woke up Sunday morning and said I need to drive, wake up," he joked. "My .001 to his .060 really gave me a lot of room down there at the stripe. It was actually fairly easy at that point."
Following his quarter final victory over T. J. Diekema, Folk went on to the semifinal round to pair up with Alex Wiese and his 1979 F/SA Corvette. "The kid [Wiese] laid down a decent run at four cars then, at least for Stock Eliminator terms," he pointed out. "He was thirty and probably going dead-on and I was .013 on the tree which just gave me plenty of room to do what I needed at the finish line."
After the fantastic string of reaction times Folk had racked up during all of the previous rounds of eliminations, he had an uncharacteristic .044 light in the final against Ron Mattson, and his worst light of the weekend. Doing the best he could to make up for it at the finish line, Folk took a ton of the stripe and came out on the wrong side of the pair's double breakout.
"You know you get yourself so hyped up for late rounds before you get to the final and I don't know," he explained of his state of mind before the Stock final. "I can sit here and picture the whole thing. I didn't go through my normal thought process after the burnout, I don't know. I guess I was just thinking, you're in the final, don't worry about it. I was so upset with myself on the ride home."
With the extensive trail of recent finals for Folk in all kinds of classes, cars and tracks, including this NHRA National Event final round appearance, he truly has a lot to be proud of, although being the caliber of racer that he is, will concentrate on where he can make improvements before his next race at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. "When you race for a partial living like I do, you have to go back and look at what you did or didn't do," he continued. "I really don't know what I was thinking about in that final."
The Folk family, which also includes patriarch Ron and brother Brian, have been not only users but true believers in the full line of K&N Engineering products, from oil filters to high performance air filters on their entire stable of race cars. "Dad and Brian have been using K&N products since before I even got really involved as heavy as I am," he pointed out. "You know Dad is big into the motor side of things, keeping them all alive and so on. We hear of other racers having problems of one sort or another with their oil filters. I tell them they shouldn't being screwing around with all that and all they need to do is put a K&N Oil Filter on and you're over it. You don't have to worry about the oil filter at all. They more than do the job. Why people want to make things so difficult when they can just use K&N products is beyond me. We all have enough to worry about out there, this just totally takes care of one of them."
