K&N’s Roots in American Flat Track on Full Display at Arizona Mile

AMA Hall of Famer and friend of K&N, Dennis Mahan was on hand at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, AZ

AMA Hall of Famer and friend of K&N, Dennis Mahan was on hand at the Arizona Mile

A walk through the pits of any stop of the American Pro Flat Track schedule makes it crystal clear just how influential K&N is in the dirt oval racing world. This powerful relationship was especially evident at the Arizona Mile at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Legends

The Arizona Mile was officially kicked off with a spirited four-lap riding demonstration by flat track racing pioneer Buddy Stubbs. The fit 77-year-old roosted his vintage 1972 Harley-Davidson® XR750 around the Turf Paradise oval just after the national anthem.

That beautiful Harley® flat tracker was appropriately fitted with two K&N pod filters. The classic lines of that XR750 was tangible proof that power and style never go out of fashion. The K&N filters were a testament to the enduring combination of performance and protection that has served as the hallmark of the company’s 4-plus decades of racing dominance.

Stubbs was not the only racing pioneer to grace the Arizona Mile. It’s not every day that an AMA Hall of Famer and motorcycling legend walks the pits of a modern flat track race. However, thats just what motorcycling icon Dennis Mahan did in the Arizona sun. Mahan is a long-time friend and former employee of K&N Engineering.

Buddy Stubbs' K&N-equipped 1972 Harley flat tracker at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

Buddy Stubbs opened the day's festifities on his K&N-equipped 1972 Harley flat tracker

The master race-bike tuner spent time inspecting the new race machines, talking set-up with the tuners in the factory tents, and interacting with fans and racers. Mahan, like Stubbs, is living proof that once bitten, the racing bug never leaves the system.

The Racers

K&N has a rich history of flat track team and racer sponsorship that goes back to the company’s earliest years. K&N sponsors a number of both established superstars and rising talents in the sport.

K&N-sponsored Brad Baker has emerged as one of the true hotshots of the dirt oval. Baker, a racer for the powerful factory Indian racing team, was a magnet for autograph seekers in the pits, and fan-favorite in the packed grandstands as he raced to the podium in Arizona.

Another fan favorite at Turf Paradise was gender-stereotype-shattering racer Shayna Texter who competes for the K&N-backed RMR Racing Team. Shayna’s brother Cory is a K&N-sponsored racer and up-and-coming star of the sport. Fast runs in the family, and K&N is proud of the speedy siblings.

Brad Baker at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

K&N-sponsored racer Brad Baker is among the sport's biggest stars

K&N-sponsored privateer Sammy Halbert is creating a buzz on the pro flat track circuit with strong finishes in the early rounds of the 2017 series. That buzz has made it into the pits and the stands as fans are taking notice of the young hot-shot who finished in the top 5 in Phoenix.

Other notable K&N-backed racers in American flat track are Kenny Coolbeth Jr., J.R. Addison, and several others that we will keep you up to speed on throughout the season.

The Bikes

The American Flat Track paddock is filled with bikes trusting their performance and protection to K&N filters. It’s not just the K&N-sponsored teams and riders that choose our products.

As you will see in the photos below, there is no other company that even comes close to K&N as the filter of choice for the fast dirt oval. Enjoy the eye-candy!

Jake Shoemaker's Kawasaki Ninja 650 at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

K&N protects Jake Shoemaker's Kawasaki Ninja 650

J.R. Addison's Kawasaki Ninja 650 at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

J.R. Addison's very trick Kawasaki Ninja 650 is protected by K&N

Jarod Vanderkooi's RMR Kawasaki at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

Jarod Vanderkooi's RMR Kawasaki is also K&N protected

An AFT Singles racer at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

Many of the AFT Singles wear K&Ns too

Sammy-O Racing's V-twin at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

Sammy-O Racing's V-twin proudly wears K&N technology

Estenson Racing flat track tank and filter at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

A close-up of Estenson Racing's filter of choice

The Willy Built Kawasaki at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

The Willy-built Kawasaki breathes through a K&N

Jake Shoemaker's Kawasaki Ninja 650 at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

Another of Jake Shoemaker's K&N-protected Kawasaki Ninja 650s

Sammy Halbert's Yamaha FZ-07 at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

Of course, Sammy Halbert's Yamaha FZ-07 performs with a K&N

Buddy Stubbs' vintage XR750 at the Arizona Mile in Phoenix, Arizona

Buddy Stubbs' vintage XR750 proudly displays big K&N pods

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