Humpy Wheeler on K&N Series

SpeedPagan

SpeedPagan

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In due respect to the 16 year old winner of the K&N race at Richmond he was in a Stewart-Haas car with loads of sponsorship. There also was only
one lead change in the entire race.
This is not what this series should be about…cubic dollars. The cars are just to expensive and it continues the big money atmosphere in racing today.
These cars should be metric chassis (see Andy Johnson website for
a superb example of a chassis that cost $2500) types with highly restricted engines that costs no more than $7500 and will run at least
six or seven races without a rebuild. Andy's chassis is so well built it could run any super speedway. This race car could be race ready for under
$25,000 and would enable some of those young AJ Foyts to get out
of the sagebrush tracks in Texas and at least try to make the big time.
If we don't make this series affordable we are going to miss some
potentially great drivers that simply cannot afford to move up.
I applaud NASCAR and K&N for forming this series but changes need to be made. By the way the first thing you need to do when you buy a new or used car is put a K&N filter in it. What a difference it makes!
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https://www.facebook.com/howard.wheeler.9022/posts/10201770694421225?fref=nf

I agree with Mr. Wheeler 100% on this. The lower series such as K&N, Modifieds, Hel even SLM, LM and Street Stock need to be kept affordable enough so that NASCAR can continue to have talented drivers climb through the ranks. NASCAR really should pay more attention to the lower series.
 
This has been going on for some time. I know a kid who was in the series a couple of years ago with a smaller team. He was running against the likes of JGR and MWR corporate teams in that series. A lesser accomplished driver from our area ended up with one of those rides and now he's running late model stocks because 19 is almost too old for that series.
 
MRM said:
This has been going on for some time. I know a kid who was in the series a couple of years ago with a smaller team. He was running against the likes of JGR and MWR corporate teams in that series. A lesser accomplished driver from our area ended up with one of those rides and now he's running late model stocks because 19 is almost too old for that series.
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K&N series have an age limit?
 
A seat, belts, fuel cell, approved wheels and a cage is going to set you back a minimum of 2 grand. Now drag a car out of a junk yard, another hundred? Haven't even discussed engine trans yet but another grand?
3100 invested, not counting a trailer and tow vehicle. Then there's track licenses and pit passes for your crew, tires, fuel and you're not even going to be remotely competitive for a few years but you might get 10 bucks for starting. That's just for a hobby stock streeter and my figures are way low.
Most of the younger guys I know just don't seem to have the passion I did. More and more tracks have zoning issues, read that as noise, and dropping attendance along with car counts. Sponsorship is difficult to come by especially starting out. A case of oil from the parts store just doesn't cut it anymore
We need the safety items but racers can no longer fund racing out of their own pockets anymore.
So far only 14 LM are on the roster so far for this year and our Pro/ SLM roster lists just 21
 
K&N Series is more than developmental. The best kept secret at Loudon, (till now), is the main front parking lot
As the haulers enter the property for the obligatory wash & shine, you can walk right up to them. Over the years, I've talked to my share of hauler drivers, and have been lucky enough to get some tours of these magnificent pieces of engineering. Anyway, the K&N haulers are nicer than some of the start and park cup guys, and there is alot at stake. These Super Teams are well funded, and with a fresh crop of new talent every year, there's plenty of talent to go around.
 
he is talking about cole custer the son of joe custer of stewart haas fame. YES humpy is right the thing is the people that make decisions know he had a serious equipment advantage. So it actually dilutes the win to a large extent. The same thing happened when cole was going to run late models at irwindale the cars were going to be run by a team that ruled the track. If you are a car owner looking at talent especially in K&N you need to do some homework and find out who has what.
 
Big money cars will only give you an advantage in a series where there are only a few big dollar cars. The minute you get to a series where all of the cars are big dollar cars, then the racing community will see a more accurate example of your true talent.
But I do see Humpy's point of view.
 
MRM said:
No. But perception is if you are 20 or close to it in that series, you're too old because a younger crop is coming through.
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Well, I'm 30, better get a move on with that stock car racer dream of mine, eh? :p
 
Man I'm 20 going on 21. Its a fact of if you got it or not to move on or if you have a crap ton of money, it would make a difference.

In open wheel, I would be considered ancient considering Danil Kyvat just turned 19 in F1
 
Kiante said:
Man I'm 20 going on 21. Its a fact of if you got it or not to move on or if you have a crap ton of money, it would make a difference.

In open wheel, I would be considered ancient considering Danil Kyvat just turned 19 in F1
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Nothing makes you feel older than looking at the average age of professional athletes, especially if you're in your 30s.
 
If the only drivers to participate are well funded then the motorsports might become an upper class sport like Polo.
 
Who has money also has a lot to do with who gets these rides as well. The kid I know has won hundreds of legends and bandelero races, more than some currently in K&N East. His dad told me they had to bring a sponsor and/or a certain amount of cash to the table to get one of these top rides. The man runs a successful business, but said he wasn't going to sacrifice a business he's been building for 20+ years.

There are a number of drivers currently in trucks and Nationwide that are there strictly based on sponsors they bring or cash they bring to the table. You look at the Annette's and the Townley's that are where they are strictly because their family has money, not because they have won hundreds of races coming up through the ranks. One CWTS driver has a mother with plenty of money and has said she'll spend whatever it takes for him to race.
 
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