This past weekend’s K&N Horsepower Challenge proved to
be a perfect showcase for the NHRA’s most competitive class. Run as part of the Summit Racing
Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, the 28th running of the specialty
event pitted eight of Pro Stock’s best drivers in a three-round shootout with
the winner taking home $50,000.
Despite blistering heat and drenching humidity, the capacity crowd was
treated to a day of tremendous racing including numerous hole shots and several
surprises.
“After I heard Peggy’s story, the money didn’t matter, the
trophy didn’t matter – all I wanted to do was win for her, and I’m so glad I
did,” said Nobile, driver of the MountainView Tire Dodge Avenger who also won
the race on Sunday, collecting a $25,000 “double-up” bonus from the NHRA in the
process. “She lost almost
everything last year in the tornados, so to be able to win that Toyota Tundra
for her was absolutely awesome.
“I knew she was someone special from the moment I met her on
Friday, and when I heard her story, it really touched me. Even though I knew I had to win for
her, I didn’t feel any extra pressure - it actually made things easier for
me. I’m so happy we were able to
deliver for her, and want to thank the Mitsos family, my father and my entire
Mountainview Dodge team for giving me such a great car to drive.
“I also want to thank everyone at K&N for putting on
this tremendous event and for involving the fans through the sweepstakes, as
well as Toyota for providing that gorgeous truck Peggy will soon be
driving. Finally, I want to thank
Peggy Coleman for being such an inspiration – she was the real reason I was
able to win.”
For Coleman, the trip to the Buckeye State was a welcome
pause from over a year of recovery efforts following the devastating storms
which wiped out most of their possessions. Despite the tremendous loss, much like the majority of the
Joplin community, she maintained a positive outlook, focusing instead on doing
whatever was necessary to put their lives back together. For example, with husband Gary’s pickup
truck having been demolished, she entered the K&N sweepstakes, never
thinking she would actually be the one to win the new Toyota. In fact, when called about being
selected as one the finalists, she was somewhat incredulous. However, from the moment she was paired
with the young driver from Dix Hills, N.Y., things just started to fall into
place.
“As I told the other contestants, even if we hadn’t won the
Toyota, it was great just to be able to get away from everything we’d been
dealing with at home for a little while,” said Coleman. “For the most part, everyone in our
town shares our positive attitude and over the last year help has poured in
from all over the country, which has been amazing. So to be selected as one of the eight finalists and flown to
Norwalk for the weekend put a big smile on our faces, and winning that
beautiful pickup was just an added benefit that I could not believe. We had an awesome time all weekend with
everyone being so nice.
“When I met Vincent and saw his team color was purple I was
thrilled because that’s my favorite color. He was so humble and polite, and his entire family and team
were so very nice. After the first
round I heard someone call my name and it was Vincent’s mother, who gave me a
big hug and told me he was going to win the race for me.
“Every time I saw him, I kept telling Vincent he was going
to do it, and even after he won on Saturday, I told him he was going to win
again on Sunday and he did. From
here on out, I’ll be sure to watch the NHRA races on TV and root for Vincent to
keep on winning. On top of
everything else that happened during the weekend, when Caitlin from K&N
called me on Monday after the race and told me about everyone offering to pay
the taxes, it just brought tears to my eyes all over again. It was just like a wonderful dream, and
I want to thank everyone at K&N for making it so special.”
As the story of the Coleman family spread throughout the Pro
Stock pits at Summit Motorsports Park, the racing community responded, with
several teams volunteering to pay any taxes pertaining to their winning the
truck. After acknowledging
the teams’ generosity, the Toyota Motor Company added to their already
substantial contribution by including the cost of the tariffs, assuring the
Colemans would not have to pay anything for their new custom pickup.
“K&N’s involvement with the Horsepower Challenge has
been a tremendous experience, but the circumstances surrounding this year’s
event stand above the rest,” said Caitlin Clement, Series and Track Support
Manager for K&N Engineering.
“We want to commend all eight drivers for putting on a great show under
very difficult weather conditions and congratulate Vincent Nobile on his
exciting win.
“We are also thrilled to be able to present Peggy Coleman
with her new K&N Horsepower Challenge Edition Toyota Tundra. Her story of survival is just amazing,
and we hope this new truck helps in some small way with her recovery
efforts. We appreciate all the
teams who inquired about paying the Colemans’ taxes, and are grateful to Toyota
for volunteering to cover the costs involved. All in all, the 2012 K&N Horsepower Challenge was a
tremendous event, and we are already working to make next year’s edition even
better.”
K&N Engineering, Inc. is the world's leader in reusable
air filters. K&N High flow reusable air filters, High performance air
intake systems and premium oil filters are available at most retailers and
directly from K&N. With headquarters in Riverside, Calif., K&N is
heavily involved in nearly every form of motorsports from off-road and
powersports to drag racing, stock cars and road racing. For more information
about K&N Filters, please visit www.knfilters.com
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