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Campaign Seeks Awareness for K&N-Supported Foundation “Fallen Patriots"

2 may 2018

Over the course of the next month, a very special American flag will be travelling eight thousand miles as part of PepsiCo’s fourth annual “Rolling Remembrance” campaign—pursuing awareness for the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation (Fallen Patriots).

Fallen Patriots seeks to provide college funding to the children of military servicemembers killed in the line of duty—relieving a financial burden that often amounts to over thirty thousand dollars per student after federal assistance. Since 2002, the foundation has provided over 21 million dollars in scholarship assistance to military families, allowing the children of our most exceptional and heroic servicemembers to attend university.

The truck that will be completing the first leg of the “Rolling Remembrance” relay

The “Rolling Remembrance” flag, originally flown on a UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter during Operation Enduring Freedom, will traverse fifty different relay points between Seattle and New York before arriving in White Plains, N.Y., on May 24. United States military veteran drivers from both PepsiCo North America Beverages and Frito Lay North America will be carrying the flag.

March Air Force Base Color Guard carrying the American flag and State flag of California

Fallen Patriots was formed in memory of Sergeant William Delaney Gibbs, killed in action during Operation Just Cause and survived by his wife and unborn daughter. The foundation’s CEO, David Kim, has long held the belief that providing higher education to children is one of the most meaningful ways to honor the sacrifice of fallen servicemembers. As an American-based company, K&N has long been a supporter of the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, and has donated over $100,000 toward helping the children of our heroes achieve their collegiate dreams.

K&N CEO, President, and Chief Engineering Officer posing with Asher Patton (far right)

One Fallen Patriots recipient, Asher Patton, attended the Florida Institute of Technology to study Mechanical Engineering. Before his graduation commencement in 2017, he accepted a job at K&N as a project engineer, where he continues to be a valued employee. “The feeling of gratitude is indescribable,” he stated. “Fallen Patriots honored my father’s life by helping me.”

K&N President Jesse Spungin added, “It is important to everyone at K&N to give back to the families who sacrificed so much for us. For almost fifty years, K&N has been an American company, and we owe it to these men and women. Helping an organization like Fallen Patriots is one way we can help the legacy of these American Heroes live on in the lives of their children.”

For more information or to donate, please visit https://support.fallenpatriots.org

K&N Returns to Nevada to Sponsor 2018 UTV World Championship and Many Top Racers

9 abr 2018

The K&N banner at the Riverside Casino for the UTVWC in Laughlin, Nevada

K&N once again sponsored the UTV World Championship in Laughlin, Nevada

Fresh off sponsoring the iconic Mint 400 race in Las Vegas, K&N’s support of UTV racing continued with the company’s major sponsorship of the UTV World Championship (UTVWC) in Laughlin, Nevada. That makes two consecutive Best in the Desert (BITD) races in which K&N was a power player.

UTVWC Contingency

The K&N tent and display was a centerpiece of the lively UTVWC Contingency. The event was again staged on the property of Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino on the banks of the Colorado River.

Vendors displayed the latest UTV performance and safety products in the contingency area as racers went through tech inspections nearby. K&N representatives were on hand to hand out swag and answer question on our newest performance intake, filter, and protection products for UTVs like Polaris, Yamaha, Arctic Cat, and Kawasaki.

Mark Queen jumps his K&N-equipped RZR at the UTVWC jump competition

Mark Queen gets serious air in his K&N-equipped RZR at the UTVWC jump competition

The most exciting new product on display was the all new K&N 63-1141 AirCharger air intake system for the Can-Am X3. The 63-1141 intake replaces the restrictive factory air filter and air intake housing in select CAN-AM models.

K&N UTV Racers

K&N sponsors some of the top talent in virtually every form of racing. The UTV racing world is no exception. K&N stars like 2018 King of the Hammers Champion Mitch Guthrie Jr. and 2017 UTVWC Champion RJ Anderson were back in Laughlin putting the pedal to the metal.

Other K&N stars like Mitch Guthrie, Katie Vernola, Bradley Morris, and Murray Racing also displayed their talent in the Nevada desert. K&N’s roots run deep in the UTV racing world and there is little doubt as to why so many top racers trust K&N to deliver world class performance and protection.

Bradley Morris' UTV on display at the K&N tent

Remaining BITD Schedule

Motion Pro Nevada 200 Trail Ride, April 13-15, Caliente, NV

VT Construction Silver State 300 presented by Polaris, May 3-6, Alamo, NV

General Tire Vegas-to-Reno presented by Fox, August 15-18

Method Race Wheels Laughlin Desert Classic presented by Canidae Tap It, October 11-14, Laughlin, NV

Pahrump Nugget 250 presented by Polaris, November 29-December 2, Pahrump, NV

K&N-sponsored Katie Vernola's pinksupport truck in the UTVWC pits

K&N-sponsored Katie Vernola's very cool support truck in the UTVWC pits

Tech inspections at the UTVWC Contingency in Laughlin, Nevada

Tech inspections were conducted for two days at the UTVWC Contingency

K&N at the UTVWC vendor village in Laughlin, Nevada

The K&N camp was the center of action in the UTVWC vendor village

UTV race machines parked at a pre-race BBQ in the UTVWC pits

Murray Racing semi in the pits of the UTVWC

Murray Racing proudly displays their K&N support on their impressive race hauler

Andrew Madrid's K&N-equipped RZR at tech inspection at UTVWC

Andrew Madrid's K&N-equipped RZR ready for tech inspection

K&N Gears Up for the 34th K&N Horsepower Challenge at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

5 abr 2018

The 34th running of the K&N Horsepower Challenge will be contested this Saturday, April 7th at the newly renovated Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.

The K&N Horsepower Challenge, a race-within-a-race, brings the top 7 Pro Stock drivers together for a three-round shootout offering nothing but glory and a $50,000 paycheck. The drivers have accumulated points since the previous K&N Horsepower Challenge and the top 7 in points lock in a spot to compete, then the 8th driver is voted in by the fans.

The Fans have spoken and they want to see Vincent Nobile, the driver of the Mountain View Tire Chevy Camaro, in the 8th spot.

top 8 K&N Horsepower Challenge drivers on stage in 2017 before the race

The top 8 Pro Stock drivers get ready to face off in the K&N HPC in 2017

Here are the first-round Match-ups and some fast facts about each driver’s history in the K&N Horsepower Challenge:

Vincent Nobile vs. Bo Butner

Vincent was the youngest K&N Horsepower Challenge Champion back in 2012, then he went on to win the main event, as well

Bo Butner is just coming off his best season as the 2017 Pro Stock Champion, which helped him get to the No. 1 Qualifier position in the K&N Horsepower Challenge

Greg Anderson vs. Erica Enders

Vincent Nobile wins the K&N Horsepower Challenge in 2012

Vincent Nobile takes the 8th spot in the HPC being voted in as the fan-favorite

Greg has won the K&N Horsepower Challenge the past two years and has 6 titles overall

Erica won back-to-back K&N Horsepower Challenge titles starting in 2014, where both years she doubled-up by winning the event title, as well

Jason Line vs. Jeg Coughlin

Jason has been close to winning the K&N Horsepower Challenge, but has never hoisted the trophy

Jeg Coughlin clearly knows how to rally his fans, as he has won the K&N Horsepower Challenge Fan Vote 3 times and won the event in 2009

Drew Skillman vs. Tanner Gray

Greg Anderson wins his 6th K&N Horsepower Challenge in 2017

Greg Anderson celebrates his record 6th K&N HPC win in 2017

Drew and Tanner were 4th and 5th in the K&N Horsepower Challenge standings

Tanner Gray won the DENSO NHRA Nationals last season

Tune in to see which driver comes out on top! K&N Horsepower Challenge rounds are scheduled for noon, 2:40 and 3:20 p.m. on Saturday, April 7.

Greg Anderson Claims his 7th K&N Horsepower Challenge Victory In Las Vegas

15 mar 2018

Greg Anderson defeated Bo Butner in the final round of the K&N Horsepower Challenge in Las Vegas on Saturday managing to hoist the trophy for the 3rd year in a row and 7th time in his career. Anderson recorded a 6.731-second elapsed time and a top speed of 205.47 mph against his teammate Butner who had a foul start costing him the race. That mistake not only cost Butner the race, but also the $50,000 check that found itself in the hands of Greg Anderson once again.

Greg Anderson lifts the trophy and celebrates at the K&N HPC

Greg Anderson celebrates his 7th win of the K&N Horsepower Challenge

Greg joked after the race, “There aren’t many people who can say they left Las Vegas with more money than they came with.”

Before facing off against Bo Butner, Greg Anderson edged out both Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin to reach the final round. He also found time during his eventful day to join the rest of the drivers as they signed autographs for fans at the K&N truck and trailer. The fans were definitely out in full force on Saturday with NHRA announcing they had sold out the event.

K&N drivers meet fans and sign autographs at the K&N display trailer

Heading into the weekend, NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock driver Bo Butner led the K&N Horsepower Challenge standings. Butner ran his first full NHRA Pro Stock season in 2017 and certainly made the most of it as he took home the championship. He was looking to add to his already impressive drag racing career with a K&N Horsepower Challenge victory but may have been a little too amped up for the final race leading him to red light against Greg.

“It’s the most exciting race of the year for me.” said Butner before the event.

K&N Horsepower Challenge logo

Butner and Anderson have developed a friendly teammate rivalry that made for an intriguing story line leading up to the final round. Driving for the KB Racing team, Butner won five events and came from behind to beat Anderson in the final event of the season at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. “He’s definitely become a pain in my butt,” Anderson said about Butner. “He’s great. I love racing with him. He’s a fantastic dude. But holy smokes, I am having a hell of a time getting around him. He’s had my number lately. It’s been a head-scratcher for us. He’s come so far in the last year in his driving skills.”

Butner had a 115-point lead over Anderson heading into the K&N Horsepower Challenge, a six-race series that started in Las Vegas in October. The top-seven drivers in the K&N Horsepower Challenge earned spots in the final event at the NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas. Fans voted Vincent Nobile into the eighth spot after the Gatornationals in Florida on March 17.

the 8 pro stock drivers in the K&N Horsepower Challenge

The 8 drivers for the K&N Horsepower Challenge are introduced to the fans at LVMS

In addition to Anderson taking home $50,000, Butner received $10,000 for making it to the final round. Drew Skillman and Jeg Coughlin also managed to leave the track with $3,000 each for competing in the semi-finals. Immediately after his victory Anderson summed up the race by saying “K&N has been so wonderful to this class and this sport in general, and it’s an honor to race for this check. That’ll go a long way to racing these cars. It’s a big shot in the arm and a big confidence booster going into tomorrow.”

Grag Anderson burnout in his pro stock car at the K&N HPC

Greg Anderson performs his pre-race burnout in the final run of the K&N HPC

K&N Sponsors the Mint 400 Desert Race Where Menzies Wins Big

14 mar 2018

The K&N semi at the Mint 400 contingency in Las Vegas, Nevada

The K&N semi is a centerpiece of the Mint 400 contingency

The Mint 400 is on the shortlist of the world's most iconic desert races. The 50th running of the Great American Off-Road Race roared into the Nevada desert and K&N was once again a driving force in the legendary event.

Mint 400 organizers made sure race fans had a wide variety of activities to enjoy, both at the Las Vegas pre-race contingency and also the actual race through the desert west of Sin City. In the end, K&N-sponsored racer Bryce Menzies topped the Mint 400 podium. Here is a look at the epic event.

Mint 400 Contingency

Las Vegas’ historic Freemont Street was once again the epicenter of the Mint 400 contingency event. The downtown area was a frenzy of activity. Vendors displayed their newest performance products, race teams competed in pit crew challenges, and fans rubbed elbows with racers and got up close and personal with exotic race machines.

Freemont Street rumbles with activity during the Mint contingency

There is likely no other elite race that allows a more up-close and hands-on fan experience than the Mint 400. High-dollar desert trucks, cars, and UTVs rumbled through the mass of race fans as they made their way to the contingency stage and through inspection. Fans took selfies with vendor models and ate steaming street tacos as the contingency activities unfolded.

There was not a more conspicuous presence at the Freemont Street contingency than K&N. The massive and instantly-recognizable K&N logo graced the company semi-truck directly adjacent to the Mint 400 contingency stage. Race fans lined up to see new performance products like the K&N 63-1141 AirCharger air intake system for the Can-Am X3. K&N representatives handed out logo hats, socks, shirts, and other exciting swag.

The K&N sponsored racers meet fans at the K&N semi truck

K&N sponsored racers gathered to meet fans, take photos, and sign autographs

The contingency experience was capped off when race fans got the chance to meet and get autographs from K&N racers including Greg Adler, Bryce Menzies, Bradley Morris, Curt Leduc, Jerry Zaiden, RJ Anderson, Mitch Guthrie, Katie Vernola, and Jason Murray

RJ Anderson, Katie Vernola, and Mitch Guthrie Jr. All in all, the Mint 400 contingency was a huge success as Freemont Street was literally (albeit temporarily) renamed ‘Mint 400 Blvd.’

Mint 400 Race Day

Race start for the Mint 400 in Primm, Nevada

The full day of racing starts before sunrise in the Nevada desert

The Mint 400 got down to business before the sun rose over the desert around Primm, Nevada. The quirky, fun, eclectic Buffalo Bill’s Casino was once again the staging landmark for the race. The start / finish line rested in the shadows of the casino’s impressive roller coaster.

Waves of UTVs, trick trucks, jeeps, and even VW Beetles made their way to the starting line in front of masses of enthusiastic race fans. The starting time for the first waves of racers was set for 6 AM, with the second session scheduled at midday.

Media and race team helicopters chopped in the sky above the Nevada desert as the race set out onto one of the most brutal courses in off-road racing.

Bryce Menzies

K&N-sponsored Bryce Menzies fought to his second Mint 400 victory

K&N-sponsored Bryce Menzies fought tooth and nail in his trick truck to escape with a narrow Mint 400 victory. Recent Mint races have been decided by mere seconds and the 50th running was no exception. After nearly 400 miles of brutal racing across the Nevada desert, Menzies edged out Apdaly Lopez by a scant 28 seconds.

The ultra-close race shows just how important detail is in desert racing. One missed turn or a slow pit stop would have cost Menzies the victory. Menzies' second Mint 400 win held special significance for the racer.

“My grandfather passed away last week,” Menzies said. “He was always such a role model for me and I want to make him proud. This win is for him.”

Other K&N Notables

Katie Vernola at the Mint 400 in Primm, Nevada

Katie Vernola ready to race her K&N-equipped UTV in another Mint 400

While the victory by Menzies grabbed the headlines, other K&N-backed racers performed well in the 2018 Mint 400. The recently-crowned King of the Hammers champion, Mitch Guthrie Jr, powered to a top 5 finish in the Pro UTV Turbo class.

Katie Vernola tackled the rough Nevada desert course in her signature pink SxS. Experienced Baja racer Greg Adler again assaulted the Mint 400, as did the Murray Race Team and Camburg Engineering.

K&N congratulates all of our Mint 400 competitors.