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Straight Up Racing Debuts The “Major Payne”: A Modified Tank Featuring K&N Filters

03.05.2018

Bill Payne isn’t afraid to venture into the unconventional—and his newest demonstration of automotive ingenuity comes in the form of a 9,600-pound modified tank.

Bill Payne posing with the "Major Payne"

Payne is the founder of Straight Up Racing—an independent monster truck racing team based in Port Orchard, Washington—and has recently debuted a new vehicle, dubbed the “Major Payne”. Adapted from a WWII tank, it’s far from your average monster truck.

The Major Payne is modified from an M5 Half-Track Personnel Carrier—produced from 1942 to 1943—though the only original elements remaining are the tracks, suspension, and rear drive axle. Twelve thousand pounds of weight was dropped in the build, which took over a year to complete. A custom-built reverser box provides the tank with remarkable agility, allowing it to safely pivot on its back idler—offering the illusion of wheelies without risking spinal damage for the driver.

The Major Payne is a modified WWII personnel carrier

“The adrenaline rush from the Major Payne tank is unlike anything with the monster trucks,” Payne commented at the tank’s first live performance in Roseburg, Oregon. “With the monster trucks, they’re very predictable on how the run’s going to be—we still have no idea what this tank’s all about. We don’t know what its capabilities are going to be—what the limitations are going to be.”

Watching the Major Payne perform, the limitations appear to be few. A big-block Chevrolet engine with JE pistons, AFR cylinder heads, and a Weiand 8-71 blower furnish the Major Payne with a whopping 1,100 horsepower. The tank is also decked out with a high-flow K&N air filter and performance oil filter.

Close-up of the front of the Major Payne

The Major Payne features a K&N air filter and oil filter

“I had no idea this thing was going to get as muddy as it does,” Payne mused. “There’s mud in the cab, in the back—the radiator’s full. Starting with a K&N air filter we know we have protection that’s second to none. By starting this project that way, we know we have an engine that’s going to last a long time.”

You can catch the Straight Up Racing team—and the Major Payne—on May 11 at the Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho, as part of the Malicious Monster Truck Tour.

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

02.05.2018

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

09.04.2018

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

05.04.2018

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

15.03.2018

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.”