FASTRAK Racer's GM GRT in Winner's Circle at Carolina Speedway

K&N sponsored dirt track racer Chris Steele grabbed another top three finish at the Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, North Carolina. The race was the venue’s opening night of the 2008 season and part of the FASTRAK series of national dirt track races.
Steele's GM GRT turns the track at Carolina Speedway
Chris Steele in his 2004 GM GRT
The Rock Hill, South Carolina driver equips his 2004 GM GRT 350 horsepower engine with a K&N Engineering air filter.

Chris Steele in his 2004 GM GRT
Steele's GM GRT turns the track at Carolina Speedway
“I prove time and time again that a bigger engine does not always mean a faster engine,” said Steele. “I tell racers I go up against about K&N filters because I run in front of them week after week.”

Steele says his K&N air filter has helped his engine crank an additional 7½ horsepower in dynamometer tests. Drivers in the FASTRAK series are given the option to use 350 or 400 horsepower engines. The races, held on oval dirt tracks, reach an average speed of 100 mph.

Steele was able to pull the front position for the night’s featured heat. After spinning his tires on the initial start, competitors Timbo Magnum pulled ahead while John Pursley pulled along side on the front straightaway. At turn one Steele decided to play it safe and gave Magnum and Pursley more room on the track – a move he made to assure his place at the end of the feature. The trio pulled away from the field, but it was Pursley and Magnum who ended up fighting each other for the majority of the race and the lead. Pursley went on to win the night's featured race after passing Magnum during the final laps. Steele’s third place finish earned him points in the FASTRAK series.

“The track can change dramatically from practice to race, “ said Steele, who took first place in a qualifier earlier at the event. “During the qualifier the track was wet and a bit sloppy, so we couldn’t really determine what it would be like for the feature. That’s dirt track racing for you – it can throw you for a loop.”
 
Steele and his team will continue running in the weekly FASTRAK series and plan on participating in a handful of FASTRAK touring events in the remaining 2008 season.

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