Annual Chili Bowl Nationals Rough for K&N Sponsored Racer in K&N Filters Midget

Ryan Kaplan of Corey Tucker/Bryan Clauson Racing drove the K&N Filters midget at the 23rd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals.

K&N Sponsored racer Ryan Kaplan with his K&N Filters Midget at the Chili Bowl Nationals
K&N Sponsored racer Ryan Kaplan with his K&N Filters Midget at the Chili Bowl Nationals

Brake problems hurt Ryan Kaplan at the Chili Bowl Nationals
Brake problems hurt Ryan Kaplan at the Chili Bowl Nationals
Kaplan had a rough qualifying night due to brake problems. “We were having trouble with the brakes gripping and letting go inconsistently in the C main,” he said. “I transferred out of that race and we put new brake pads in the rear caliper because they were glazed over.”
Ryan Kaplan will run the K&N Filters car during USAC Midget Week
Ryan Kaplan will run the K&N Filters car during USAC Midget Week

Quick Trip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway in Oklahoma hosted the 23rd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals
Quick Trip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway in Oklahoma hosted the 23rd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals

Kaplan pushed out to try and make it to the B main his brakes caused problems again. “I ended up missing the transfer from the B to the A main and that set me up to start in the F main on Saturday,” he said. “We eventually figured out my trick titanium brake rotor was actually causing my problem.”

The light weight rotor was glazing up the pads instead of working properly. The crew switched it out with a standard steel rotor and new pads. Kaplan’s brakes worked perfectly after that.

At the start of the F main, Kaplan jumped from fifth to third and was in a good position to transfer. “I decided to run the bottom and that is where I stayed for the remainder of the race,” he said. “I ended up slipping off the bottom on the track and missing out on the third place spot. I was in fourth place unchallenged until I hit turn three on the white flag lap.”

Kaplan then saw a car on the top side making its move to pass. At the same time the car in front of him checked. He made a last chance bid to stay in the top four but ended up getting bounced into sixth place.

Kaplan will be driving the K&N Filters midget at USAC Midget Week, the Belleville Midget Nationals, Knoxville Midget Nationals and a number of other events.

Kaplan has worked with K&N for more than three years. “K&N makes the best and most reliable air and oil filters on the market,” he said. “K&N keeps our motors running great.”

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.