Conway Passes From P17 To Win The 40th Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach

Mike Conway is the second driver for a one-car team. He was brought on to bring a winning edge to road and temporary street courses while the owner/driver, Ed Carpenter, focuses on his specialty of left-turn only racetracks. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

Conway Passes From P17 To Win The 40th Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach

The annual springtime motor sports ritual that set the table for modern day temporary street automobile racing events held its fortieth edition last weekend and it ended predictably ... sort of.

The 40th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach ended script-like to the casual observer, in that this street course favors drivers who figure out how to get the most out of off-camber concrete corners cradled in unforgiving walls of tire-lined concrete and rewards them with multiple wins - or at the very least, a high finishing order good for Verizon IndyCar Series championship points.

The podium finishing order would buttress this contention with Ed Carpenter Racing's street and road course driving specialist Mike Conway bringing home his second win here in three years, followed closely by Penske Racing's Will Power who was already a two-time winner, in 2008 and 2011, and keeping pace at P3 was Andretti Autosport rookie driver Carlos Munoz who had won here at Long Beach last year when he was in IndyLights.

Qualifications, however, delivered decidedly different results. A hat-trick of poor performance had the winning drivers of the last three years of the Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach missing out on the second round of Knock-Out qualifying structure which ends with the fastest six survivors of the previous two rounds race for the best time to settle the top six positions of the special 40th Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach standing start East of the Start/Finish line on Shoreline Drive.

Will Power stated that this year, he will not be worrying about the championship but only on wins. He has come to realize after being the 'bridesmaid' for so many championships that winning is the only thing. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

With last year's winner AJ Foyt Racing's Takuma Sato lining up at P15, 2011 winner Conway sitting at P17, and 2012 winner Power holding station at P14, it looked as though the script would favor a winner from the top ten positions - assuming few local Yellow Flags, great weather, and little passing.

This would leave the prediction to be a new winner presumably from Andretti Autosport's James Hinchcliffe, Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing's Josef Newgarden, BHA / BBM with Curb-Agajanian rookie driver Jack Hawksworth, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Simon Pagenaud, Target Chip Ganassi Racing and 2013 ICS champion Scott Dixon, Andretti Autosport's Marco Andretti, and Dale Coyne Racing's Justin Wilson, or a repeat win from pole sitter Andretti Autosport 2012 ICS champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, Penske Racing 2001 TGPLB winner Helio Castroneves, and KVSH Racing 4-time champion and past 2005, 2006, and 2007 TGPLB winner Sebastien Bourdais.

After showing that he is really ready to drive in the big leagues through P2 finishing position at the big show ... the 2013 Indy 500, Carlos proves he's ready for the temporary street courses as well with a podium finish at the 40th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. 5 starts | 2 Top 5 finishes | 2 Top 10 finishes. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

This excerpted and edited from New Track Record -

IndyCar edgy at Long Beach
By Mark Wilkinson - New Track Record, Published 14 April, 2014

The Verizon IndyCar Series has taken on a country club feel in recent years.  The drivers are all buddies. Before the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, James Hinchliffe and Ryan Hunter-Reay even joked on camera about flipping a coin to see who was going to lead the first lap.  I wonder if those two still had their senses of humor after the race.

Humor is nothing new in IndyCar.  Eddie Sachs was known as “the clown prince of racing” in the 60′s.  Bobby Unser was not only shockingly honest as a racer and an announcer, he was also a born storyteller.  Still is.  A.J. Foyt’s humor was always sharp and biting.  Still is.  So it is nothing new that today’s racers are funny.  What’s different is the politically correct way they interact.  The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach certainly changed all that.

To spice up the broadcast, NBCSN brought in Paul Tracy, four-time Long Beach winner and notorious truth-teller.  Everyone just knew he would stir the pot a little bit.  Sadly, PT was just another talking head, saying nothing controversial.  Sigh.  I am sure he will get the message to go find the real Paul Tracy.

This all leads us to how a pretty good race became an entertaining one.  Bad moves led to bad feelings, sheepish honesty, and a few apologies that may or may not have been accepted.  Hopefully, it will lead to a little ill will.  Then maybe Paul Tracy can get on board and put the hammer down on some people.
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The irony in the series is delicious right now.  The top dogs were forced to act like contrite backmarkers. Scott Dixon apologized for pushing Justin Wilson into the wall and the apology was UNACCEPTED.  Will Power apologized for punting Simon Pagenaud with his usual it’s-my-fault-that-it’s-your-fault line and the apology was UNACCEPTED.  Ryan Hunter-Reay apologized by saying a real racer goes for it when he sees the chance at exactly the wrong spot and his apology was UNACCEPTED.  I just love to see the shifty-eyed apologies of schoolboys caught in the act without a plausible story to tell.  Not ironically, Graham Rahal was his usual self and refused to accept any blame for anything.  Never change, Graham.  Both Michael Andretti and James Hinchcliffe were less than pleased with Hunter-Reay’s antics.

Simmering feuds, unaccepted apologies, and possibly a little bit of hate await us at the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park.
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It’s good to see some of the politically correct veneer come off the series.  This is the racing and these are the racers people want to see.
[Reference Here]

Paul Tracy wasn't all that exclusively PC during the broadcast ... he did muse that if a Beaux Barfield sensibility toward Race Control had been in play when he was driving, he would have been penalized way less and won a whole lot more races.

Also, The Mayor of Hinchtown momentarily became the Sheriff and was laying down the law when he said he really didn't expect such a 'Rookie Move' and that he felt sorry for Newgarden, himself and all of the other drivers that had to be caught up in the mess at Turn #4.

THIS is entertaining competition for all … not wimpy, even though the whole deal looked as though it went by the script — few local Yellow Flags, good weather, and little passing until Lap 56. If that actually happened (save one rookie move), Ryan Hunter-Reay would have been a repeat winner with James Hinchcliffe (would have remained a Mayor) at P2, and Newgarden’s cold black tires would have warmed up and he probably would own the last position on the podium.

A big 'rookie move' wreck in Turn 4, a blocked track Yellow Flag on Lap 56 of 80, and passing from P17 ... past P16 Penske Racing's 1999 TGPLB winner Juan Montoya, P15 Taku, P14 Power, P13 Kanaan, P12 Servia, P11 Munoz, and etc. through to P1 holder TCGR's Scott Dixon (who had to stop for fuel on Lap78), Mike Conway establishes Ed Carpenter Racing as an early odds-on contender for a team championship in 2014 with a repeat win for the 40th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach ... predictably, just like the script.

... notes from The EDJE

Andretti Autosport Driver Carlos Munoz Pre-#TGPLB40 Interview

Carlos Munoz as he substitutes for Andretti Autosport driver EJ Viso in his DW12 for qualifications at the 2013 MAVTv 500, the final race of the IZOD IndyCar Series (helmet chin reads #Awake #Blessed #Grateful). Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2013) 

Andretti Autosport driver Carlos Munoz pre-#TGPLB40 interview 

Carlos Andrés Muñoz is a professional racing driver from Colombia. He currently resides in Miami. He currently drives for Andretti Autosport in the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series.

Interview Script:

We are here with Andretti Autosport's driver Carlos Munoz in a pre-race interview for the 40th edition of the Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach - Welcome Aboard!

(1) In a performance review, one notices that over the last two seasons in IndyLights, California has been pretty good to you with two wins at Auto Club Speedway with a 1st and a 5th at Long Beach - You've qualified P1 and won at Long Beach last year with the IndyLights series - Is there something about the track that benefits your driving style and sensibilities?

(2) Andretti Autosport has moved from Chevy-power to Honda-power - Given your brief and successful exposure to IndyCar last year, do you see any difference in the handling of the DW12 between the two power plants?

(3) A number of Colombians are now looking at the United States and IndyCar as a vehicle to top pro open wheel racing - how much does racing in Colombia prepare you for racing here in the United States?

(4) What made you decide to race in America as opposed to racing in Europe?

(5) How has racing under the Andretti Autosport banner changed your perception of what you are capable of achieving?

(6) Do you plan to do any Tudor United SportsCar Championship Prototype racing in 2014?

(7) Are you getting a fair amount of press in Colombia? Tell us more about your relationship with Juan Pablo Montoya.

 FOOTNOTE UPDATE: Carlos Munoz finishes the race, after starting P6, on the podium at P3 behind Will Power at P2 and Mike Conway, who wins the TGPLB for a second time, at P1.

... notes from The EDJE

Formula Drift Championships Begin 2014 Season In Long Beach

Formula Drift Championships begin 2014 season in Long Beach 

Formula Drift 2014 Pro Championship begins its seven round national schedule by tearing up the streets of Long Beach for the 11th time. The course is set to use a portion of the back straightaway leading into the turns 9, 10, and Turn 11 hairpin of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach track.

Formula Drift cars line up to accept members of the gathered motorsports and celebrity media during the Toyota Pro/Celebrity track orientation and media day. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

This excerpted and edited from Formula Drift website -

As the first official series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting fans and car enthusiasts from all walks of life and establishes itself as the worldwide leader for the Sport. This high-skilled, high-powered motor sport where drivers intentionally maneuver their cars into well executed, controlled sideways slides at high speeds through a marked course, has professional drivers & teams competing in seven championship competitions in 2014.

Judged on execution and style, rather than who finishes the course in the fastest time, Drifting is a guaranteed crowd pleaser, and is often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.

Formula DRIFT Fast Facts

•     Created first ever drifting world championship; brought together 32 drivers, 17 past and present championship, from 12 nations, representing 12 series
•     Created Formula Drift Asia Championship; first Pan-Asia professional championship
•     Created Formula Drift Pro Am Affiliate Network; bridge together various regional level series, the "minor league" for Formula Drift
•     7-stop Championship Series travels across the United States
•     87% of Formula Drift Fans are between 18-34 years old
•     Formula Drift is one of only a few sports to see a growth in attendance during the economic downturn in 2009 and 2010.
•     FIRST drifting championship in the world to be sponsored by non-endemic companies such as EA Games
•     FIRST drifting championship to have factory backed teams
•     FIRST drifting championship in the world to have an official, sanctioned competition on city streets
•     FIRST drifting championship to be aired on national cable & syndicated globally with a dedicated series of shows
•     FIRST drifting championship to be filmed and featured in high definition
•     FIRST drifting championship to be filmed and featured in 3D
•     Formula Drift has the MOST diverse driver field (nationality, age and gender) of any drifting series in the world and field of competition cars (year, make and model) of any drifting series in the world
•     Responsible for holding the MOST professional drifting events than anyone in North America
•     Held the HIGHEST attended drifting event ever

[Reference Here]

This excerpted and edited from RACER -

PREVIEW: Formula DRIFT Long Beach
Jen Horsey, RACER - Wednesday, 02 April 2014

The action has already begun. A media demonstration day Tuesday saw drivers Dean Kearney and Ryan Tuerck both hit the wall hard in a pair of unrelated crashes.

"It's an unforgiving track. It's really slippy and once you get into the marbles, there's no recovery from that," says driver Fredric Aasbo, who kept his Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC (pictured, ABOVE) out of trouble Tuesday. "It's a balancing act. You want to be able to find the limit, but that track bites your a** – if it goes wrong it's like a game of pinball, bouncing off the walls."

The motorsport calls for full commitment from competitors. Judges award points to drivers for smoky, sideways drifts based on criteria of speed, angle and style. While it is relegated to alternative status by racing purists, there is no arguing the high degree of car control required to deliberately hurl a sideways car into a corner and keep it pinned at 90mph, inches from an opponent's door.

"It is a race. It's not timed, per se, but leaving the other guy in the dust – or in the smoke – is still what matters most," says Aasbo.

And while both Kearney and Tuerck are expected to return to competition this weekend, it can be tough to bounce back from a tangle with the Long Beach course – especially given the power the cars are producing this year. This season is seeing a continuation of the incremental trend toward ever-increasing horsepower, facilitated by the series' open rulebook, which encourages development and innovation.
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Perhaps more controversial [in this year's competition] is Formula Drift's decision to eliminate the third-place knockout round. Typically one of the most exciting battles of the weekend, drivers held nothing back in their attempts to earn the final spot on the podium.

Although the action was exciting, Sage said organizers made the decision for the fans. Too often, the third-place round often ran long as judges determined the competition too close to call and repeatedly called the drivers back to try again. Television schedules suffered and fans wore out. Third place will now go to the highest-qualifying driver who achieves the bracket.

"Our closest cousin, NHRA, doesn't run (a third-place round) either," said Sage. "We thought we would do away with it for one year and evaluate."

In a championship round, drivers qualify for one of 32 spots on the grid, then work their way through a series of head-to-head knock-out elimination tandem runs to the winner-take-all first-place battle. Qualifying for this weekend's main event takes place on Friday (gates open at 11 a.m.), with gates opening for the main event on Saturday at 10 a.m. The top rounds of competition get started with the official opening ceremonies Saturday at 3 p.m.

The following weekend, during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the drifting action returns to the streets of Long Beach with the Motegi Racing Super Drift Challenge (pictured, ABOVE). The demonstration event is open to all weekend ticket-holders and takes place under the lights Friday and Saturday nights (April 11 and 12), with the action starting at 7 p.m.
[Reference Here]

Actually, for those who do not mind a little pre-season, pre-race party, on which one might meet some drivers and team owners, head over to The Federal Bar at 102 Pine Ave. just up from Ocean Ave. in downtown Long Beach. The action is set to begin at 6:00pm PT with drink specials offered all night and as an added treat, Formula DRIFT cars will be on display.

... notes from The EDJE

Pre-Season, Pre-Race Interview With 2013 IICS Champion Scott Dixon

Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon shares a first-time "Chevy engine" team moment with fellow team member Penske Racing's Will Power. Too weird to think of these two very competitive teams being linked together through an engine program ... especially since Dixon won the 2013 Championship with a Honda. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

Pre-Season, Pre-Race Interview With 2013 IICS Champion Scott Dixon

We are sitting down for a brief conversation with open wheel race car driver and 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series Champion, Australian born, New Zealand native Scott Dixon. Welcome to the program.

The occasion finds Scott preparing for the first race of an 18 race season - the temporary street course at The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg - that will showcase for the first time, points modifications for hitting milage marks, and later in the season, double points awarded for the three 500-mile events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Auto Club Speedway.

With the Dallara DW12 going into its third year and coming off of one of the most competitive years in recent memory some fans who had turned their back on open wheel racing in North America may be missing out on some of the most competitive car racing on the planet. It is not the same bunch of 3 or 4 drivers winning all the time. 2013 not only witnessed Scott Dixon’s third series championship, it saw 10 drivers from seven different teams climb the podium over the 19 races — four drivers for the first time.

Juan Pablo Montoyoa explains the difference between driving a 'Cup' car and a Dallara DW12. Dixon's TCGR team-mate Charlie Kimball and Penske Racing team-mate Will Power enjoy the exchange. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

Juan Pablo Montoya is returning to open-wheel racing for the first time since he left Formula 1 for NASCAR in 2006, this time with Team Penske. Coincidentally, 2006 was the last year Roger Penske Racing claimed an IndyCar Series Championship title.

New Dixon team-mate Ryan Briscoe studies the information displayed on the DW12 steering wheel. Briscoe and Tony Kanaan bring considerable Chevy engine experience to the four car Ganassi team. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

At Chip Ganassi Racing, Franchitti’s seat has been filled by reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Tony Kanaan. A fourth car has been added to the team to compliment you, Scott Dixon – with Kanaan and Kimball - for the return of Australian driver Ryan Briscoe, who parted ways with Team Penske at the end of 2012 and spent 2013 picking up rides between IndyCar Series and sports-car series.

Ganassi has also changed engines — from Honda to Chevrolet.

With this as a background going into the first race of the season …

 Interview Audio File >>>

1. Does the combination of a four car team and an engine manufacturer switch to Chevy at Fontana last season make it harder to defend your title in 2014?

2. It appears as if you have a combination of team-mates in Kanaan, Kimball, and Briscoe who have relatively calm personalities, does this make intramural sharing easier or is it more competitive under the surface?

3. Obviously, Juan Pablo Montoya is back with a ride in open wheel racing …. the early money says that while he will be getting a grip on things, his nature will see him in a controversy … mainly with a Ganassi car … are you guys keeping an extra eye on him at St. Pete?

4. What do you think of the complexity of the new rules for double points at the three big 500 mile oval races scheduled for Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Auto Club Speedway?  Should the Verizon IndyCar Series awarding more points for particular races or mileage marks?

5. Michele Rahal, our Motorsports Unplugged president and Formula One expert, says that the IndyCar Series, right now, is the best open wheel product in the world, given all the confusion in GP and the close lap-times being shown at the IndyCar test at Barber … what is your opinion?

Come on out to see reigning AND 3-time IndyCar Series Champion Scott Dixon compete, who, of course, will be hoping to repeat this year, as the Verizon IndyCar Series kicks off on Sunday, March 30 … with the opener at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Fla. … followed by the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13.

For those following the Verizon IndyCar Series on Twitter, use #VICS #spgp #tcgr #indycar #DW12 to index the conversation.

... notes from The EDJE

 

Competition Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian Will Have Michael Lewis For Porsche GT3 Cup

Michael James Lewis is an American Race Car Driver from Laguna Beach, California. Michael's passion for racing is paramount and he enjoys every aspect of his racing career. The Laguna Beach, California native is known for his professionalism, work ethic, and he lives every day for motorsport. Image Credit: MJLRacing.com

Competition Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian Will Have Michael Lewis For Porsche GT3 Cup

After spending several years honing his driving skills in European racing series, American Michael Lewis returns to his home country to compete this season in the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama. Michael will race in the series' Platinum Class while driving the No. 98 Competition Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car.

With the merger of the American Le Mans Series and Grand-Am Road Racing into the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship this year, Michael's return to the United States racing scene is timely, as he sees plenty of opportunity to improve his racing skills in this IMSA-sanctioned race series. The IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge is the "opening act" for the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with two 45-minute sprint races per event weekend

"This opportunity to race in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama with Competition Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian is the perfect fit," explained Michael Lewis.

Tujunga, California-based Competition Motorsports has won three GT3 Cup Challenge championships, and is owned by Bob Faieta.

Of special significance, Michael and Competition Motorsports have formed a relationship with Curb Records and the Agajanian family for this 2014 season. The official entry for Michael's No. 98 Porsche GT3 Cup Car will be listed as "Competition Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian." The famed Curb Records logo will be prominently displayed on Michael's No. 98 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car as well.

The finishing touches were being made on Michael Lewis's Porsche 911 to compete in the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama at the Competition Motorsports shop in Tujunga, California. Michael and the team travel across the country to the series' first race of the season at Sebring International Raceway on Thursday, March 13. Image Credit: Competition Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian

"I am honored to represent Curb Records and the Agajanian family on my Porsche race car this season," said Michael. "The No. 98 and Curb Records are synonymous with some of the most historic American racing entities, and it's very special to continue that legacy," he added, referring to the Agajanian family's famed Indy cars with the No. 98. "I would like to thank Mike Curb and the Agajanian family for their official involvement."

Michael and the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama will compete in 16 rounds at eight different race circuits during the championship season. Seven of these race event weekends will be held on America's famed race courses, which consist of Sebring International Raceway, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Lime Rock Park, Watkins Glen International, Road America, Circuit of The Americas and Road Atlanta. Canada's famous Canadian Tire Motorsport Park will serve as the eighth track for the series' championship.

Sebring International Raceway will host the first race of the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama season in conjunction with the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship's 12 Hours of Sebring. Michael and the Competition Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian team will arrive at the Florida track for the first of two practice days, beginning on Tuesday, March 10. The following day will be a "Promoter Test Day." Qualifying and the first 45-minute race of the season will take place on Thursday, March 13, with the series' second race scheduled for Friday morning, March 14.

In addition to racing in Florida, Michael is looking forward to visiting the other tracks on the schedule, including Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca, in California. "It might sound funny, but I've never gone road racing in my home state of California, and now I get to do that," added Michael.

As a young, up-and-coming Race Car Driver, Michael Lewis has competed in a diverse number of racing vehicles including Formula 3, Formula BMW, Ford Focus Midgets, Touring Cars, Late Model Stock Cars, Quarter Midgets, & Go-Karts. Image Credit: MJLRacing.com

Last season Michael competed in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship with kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport, and the previous two seasons he raced in the Formula 3 Euroseries and in Formula 3 Italia, respectively, with Italy's PREMA Powerteam.

The 2014 IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama series schedule is as follows:

March 13-14        Sebring International Raceway
May 3-4               Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
May 23-24           Lime Rock Park
June 27-28          Watkins Glen International
July 12-13           Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
August 9-10        Road America
Sept. 19-20         Circuit of The Americas
October 2-3        Road Atlanta

With Michael's return to American racing, a number of his core sponsors, who have helped him both in the United States and in Europe, have returned, showing their commitment to share in his success. "I really appreciate my core sponsors staying with me and supporting me these past several years in my racing endeavors, and I look forward to representing their brands and promoting their companies and products. I am also honored to welcome my new partners."

... notes from The EDJE

Of Further Note:
Michael Lewis' No. 98 Competition Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car 2014 sponsor lineup includes Curb Records, Eibach, Cometic Gasket, ASE, C&R Racing, McKenna Porsche of Southern California, Ed Pink Racing Engines, Buwalda Construction, Laguna Classic Cars & Art, Camisasca Automotive Manufacturing, Inc., Mönik, Performance Racing Tech-Talk, Realatrends Real Estate Services, Inc., RFMS Racing, Burger King, Val Lambros, M.D. F.A.C.S., Surterre Properties, Klotz Synthetics, Coast Fabrication, Racing Electronics, GoPro, Bell Helmets, Racing Goes Safer Foundation, JDR Graphics, Hobie Surf Shop Laguna Beach, and SACdesign.

K&N PRO SERIES RETURNS TO IRWINDALE!

The 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season promises to be a year of exciting change for Clint Bowyer. The former paint-and-body man at Kansas car dealerships has moved up in the world. Image Credit: 5-hour ENERGY Racing (2014)

K&N PRO SERIES RETURNS TO IRWINDALE!
NAPA AUTO PARTS 150 MARCH 22 - Special Guest: 'Cup' Driver Clint Bowyer

Irwindale, Calif. - - After a two-year absence, all the short track action and excitement of the K&N Pro Series West will be back at "LA's Half-Mile Superspeedway" when the Napa Auto Parts 150 championship series event roars to life on Saturday night, March 22, 2014!
"We're all very pleased to have this top pro series back at Irwindale ... we really missed them," said Race Director Mike Atkinson. "These these drivers and their teams are some of the most competitive in the business.

If you haven't witnessed twenty-six K&N West drivers mixing it up on a fast half-mile track like Irwindale, you've really missed some very exciting short-course stock car racing."
This event will be the first race on the busy Irwindale Speedway calendar for 2014 and will feature a very special guest appearance by Clint Bowyer, driver of the #15 5-Hour Energy Sprint Cup Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing.

Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip has announced that it will honor its 2013 NASCAR and NHRA champions at a special dinner and awards ceremony at the Courtyard by Marriott Monrovia. The event is set for Friday evening, March 7 and will begin with an informal reception at 6:30pm followed by dinner at 7:00pm, with the awards presentations following directly thereafter.Image Credit: performanceracing.com (2012)

Tickets for the March 22 K&N event are now available on the website: www.irwindaleeventcenter.com as well as by telephone at the Speedway ticket office: 626-358-1100

SPECIAL NOTE: This year's season ticket package gives fans all 18 races on the Irwindale 2014 NASCAR calendar for the incredibly low price of only $99 and that includes the above K&N Pro race. Fans can further enhance their Speedway experience by adding close-in VIP $99 reserved parking at all 18 NASCAR events. There's even a "bundled" price of $189 for tickets and special parking at every event. More info. 626.358.1100

... notes from The EDJE

Nitto's Healy Takes King Of The Hammers Enduro In 1-2-3

Loren Healy - The Griffin King of the Hammers is billed as the world's toughest 4x4 race, and above all, the Unlimited 4400 class is the main and most sought after class win that all participants strive to win. Image Credit: Nitto Racing (2014)

Nitto's Healy Takes King Of The Hammers Enduro In 1-2-3

On Friday, February 7th, 2014 in Means Dry Lake area at Johnson Valley, California USA., a 194 mile off-road endurance race was held for the eighth year that has become known as the gold standard for an extreme test in unlimited off-road competition.

The test, first held in 2007, is known as the Griffin King of the Hammers (KOH) and gets its name from the many rock strewn climbing tracks encountered throughout the course (Claw Hammer Trail, Jack Hammer Trail, Sledge Hammer Trail and the area includes Wrecking Ball Trail, Sun Bonnet Trail, and After Shock Trail to highlight a few features). The KOH presents an intimidating blend of endurance desert racing that features rock crawling, sand tracks, hard-packed rock trails, near-vertical rock walls, and treacherous ledges.

LOREN HEALY IS THE 2014 KING OF THE HAMMERS – YouTube Video >>> - See more at: http://www.opinionspost.com/nittos-healy-takes-king-hammers-enduro-1-2-3/#sthash.vR0kdgUB.dpuf

LOREN HEALY IS THE 2014 KING OF THE HAMMERS – YouTube Video >>>

Nitto sponsored racer and 2010 KOH event winner, Loren Healy, of Farmington, N.M., took the top winning spot, driving the Unlimited class 4400 #67 Jimmy's 4x4 ATX Wheels/Nitto Tire Ultra4 buggy, finishing the 194 mile race with a total time of 8:03:25. Healy felt, as communicated during a post race celebration on Thursday, Feb, 14 2014 held by Nitto Tire in Cypress, he was able to be successful again because of three main factors.

The main, or #1 factor boiled down to the template philosophy that a steady and even pace with a buggy designed to take advantage of the driver's core strength of obstacle climbing was key. This starting point effected the outcome of the other two remaining factors which aided heavily to the reliability of the vehicle and allowed for an overall quickest conclusion to completing the 194 mile challenge.

Loren Healy began racing in the Ultra4 series in 2009 and has quickly progressed up the ranks, adding the Ultra4 championship to his racing resume in 2010. Having participated in every Ultra4 competition since, Healy is a regular top finisher in the series since he began racing. Image Credit: Nitto Racing (2014)

"I always enjoyed the adrenaline of going fast in the desert," says Loren Healy. "I wasn’t a desert racer to start. I was a recreational rock crawler. When they put them together in Ultra4, I had to try it."

The #2 factor came in the choice of front axle the Ultra4 buggy was built upon. The controversy centers on the performance and reliability of an independent suspension/travel axle versus a solid straight/unitized travel axle. To take advantage of his recreational rock crawler strength and background, Loren Healy specified a straight axle for his Ultra4 design.

Loren Healy's Unlimited class 4400 #67 Ultra4 used Solid Axle's differential covers, kingpin knuckles, forged hubs, and rear end kit to claim his victory. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

"As the sport grows, the technology advances with it. We’re lucky in in that there are a lot of products on the market designed for desert racing vehicles that work well for us," said Healy. "The biggest game changer recently has been the introduction of independent front suspension because it’s very forgiving. A solid axle car is like a ‘70s or ‘80s pick-up truck can handle the horsepower, but when you hit a bump [on the flats], the whole vehicle reacts. There are a few vehicles built in 2014 that now incorporate an independent rear suspension [as well]. It looks interesting, but I want to wait and see whether it holds-up enough to be an advantage."

Factor #3 came down to reliability. The mechanical will be what it is but the one area where time can be lost is in the choice of the tires. If the tread design is too 'blocky' and not staggered, it does not perform well going the 115 to 120 miles per hour speeds encountered in the flatter sandy tracks of the KOH course. On the other hand, if the compound of the rubber itself is too hard, grip is not at its maximum and crawling over rock obstacles may have the tires slip and loose grip.

Further, the tires need to be able to remain inflated ... a tire change on the track could take over ten minutes and this could mean the difference in finishing first, or something less than first. Loren Healy choose ATX wheels fitted with custom KOH race designed Nitto tires, designed by Senior Staff Engineer Alan Ngo.

Nitto's custom made KOH 40x13.50R17 Trail Grappler Mud-Terrain tire took the abuse from the nearly 200 mile King of the Hammers endurance race, but never lost air. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks

"Having the awesome ATX wheels and Nitto tires that we use, are a huge part of our success and how we race. It’s about the confidence to drive as hard as I can knowing that the wheels and tires can take it, without worrying about breaking a wheel or getting a flat tire. Every time you have to get out and change a tire, you’re losing positions to whoever is winning the race," he says. "We don’t even carry a spare tire. I don’t want the extra weight while we’re racing and I know they’re going to hold up."

Nitto Tire Senior Staff Engineer Alan Ngo holds the sceptre that was awarded to their sponsored and shod Ultra4 buggy for winning the 2014 King of the Hammers off-road endurance race. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

Said Nitto Tire Senior Staff Engineer Alan Ngo, "We modified the design of a standard Nitto 40x13.50R17 Trail Grappler Mud-Terrain tire by adding sidewall grip nobs and softening the compound to allow for a greater level of cohesion for crawling over rock obstacles. This win represents two full years without a tire failure with any of the racers we have sponsored in the King of the Hammers endurance event."

The staff at Nitto Tire United States headquarters in Cypress, California, celebrates with Loren Healy the win in the 2014 King of the Hammers off-road endurance race. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

Of the 156 drivers who started the event, just 32 finished the race. Including race winner Loren Healy, Nitto had a total of five drivers complete the event. Finishing fifth was Derek West from Springfield, Mo., in the #4420 Jimmy's 4x4 Nitto Tire Ultra4 buggy. Right behind West was Rick Mooneyham of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, in the #554 Nitto Tire Trick Toys Fabrication Ultra4 buggy. Also finishing this grueling event were Nitto-sponsored drivers Ben Napier from Sydney, Australia, and Erik Miller of Cumberland, MD. Napier, driver of the #4461 BN Motorsports Ultra4 buggy finished in 16th place, while Miller, driving the #4421 Miller Motorsports Ultra4 buggy came home in 25th place, despite leading a portion of the event.

For Loren Healy, driving the Unlimited class 4400 #67 Jimmy's 4x4 ATX Wheels/Nitto Tire Ultra4 buggy, winning the 2014 Griffin King of the Hammers presented by Nitto Tires off-road endurance event for the second time was as easy as 1-2-3!

... notes from The EDJE