Tony Hunt Earns Two USAC Championships In 2011
- Jan 13, 2012
"Many obstacles and challenges are encountered when committing to a Series Championship," explained Hunt. "This year there were three championships within our grasp. You have to stay focused on the big picture and minimize the inevitable distractions. Our success as a team year after year has been demonstrated by our ability to stay focused on our goals." Although every victory throughout a season is important in the overall scheme of things, there are races that seem to stick in a driver's mind. Referring to the 2011 season, Hunt said, "Our win at Irwindale in August, was a pivotal race. A mid-season race usually identifies who has the will and determination to run for the championship. It showed our strength as a team to arrive without testing, and earn a hard fought victory after qualifying first and starting the main in sixth."
Throughout the years, Tony Hunt has raced predominantly on pavement. That said, the driver is obviously well versed at racing on this type of surface, and he and his crew are extremely efficient at preparing their car for various venues in the Western Sprint Series. On the other hand, when Hunt and Tony Hunt Motorsports opted to race in the USAC Western Classic Series they were aware that there would be a learning curve ahead. "Driving the Western Sprint is very comfortable for me. From road courses to ovals, primarily my career has been on pavement," recalled the driver. "But I grew up around dirt tracks and have always had an affinity for dirt racing. 2011 was my first season on dirt," he continued. "Running the Western Classic portion on dirt was a challenge, not only on the driving side but more importantly, on setup. The tolerances on dirt are more forgiving, but having a proper starting point will decrease your learning curve." When asked his plans for the upcoming season and how he would prepare for 2012, Hunt explained, "We plan to enhance our dirt resources and continue to keep our pavement program running at its optimal performance. We will primarily compete in the 2012 Western Classic Series, which combines both a dirt and pavement schedule." As an experienced driver, Tony Hunt is aware that his team has played a large role in his success. "Racing is a business," Hunt explained. "Our team operates on a high level of structured business principles that allows us to keep an eye on the bottom line. Whether we are at the track or making a sponsor appearance, we continually strive to maintain a professional appearance." Hunt and his team are also acutely aware of the importance of properly maintaining their race cars. They depend upon K&N products to keep the internal components of their engines well lubricated and contaminant free while still allowing an optimal flow of air and lubricant. "For the past three years, we have used a K&N air intake induction system; that is ideal not only for performance, but also for its ergonomic advantage," shared the driver. "I have been using K&N oil filters for over twenty years! Any part that you put on your race car is expected to perform at the highest level," he continued. "We put K&N products to the test every time we hit the track, and our success speaks for their unwavering ability to perform in all conditions year after year." Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
