CARFAX: Number of Cars with Recalls ‘Alarmingly High’
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By NAPA
Daison Pursley and the
link hidden, please login to view No. 9 team officially kicked off the 2026 High Limit Racing season over the past two weeks, competing in six races across Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Central Arizona Raceway. Following an offseason focused on building chemistry and speed, the Kasey Kahne Racing team entered the year with momentum and immediately showed promise against a strong field of competitors.
The High Limit season opener at Las Vegas Motor Speedway marked the first points-paying events of the year, and the NAPA No. 9 ran consistently inside the top 10 throughout the three-night weekend.
On Thursday, Pursley qualified eighth in Flight A and advanced to a 12th-place finish in the feature after starting 15th. Friday brought one of the team’s strongest performances of the weekend, as Pursley qualified third, ran up front in the heat race, and drove from ninth to sixth in the A-Main.
The weekend concluded Saturday with another solid showing as the NAPA No. 9 qualified third once again and advanced from 13th to 10th in the feature. The consistent results to open the season positioned the team well in the early championship standings and reinforced the speed shown throughout the offseason.
The team carried that momentum into Central Arizona Raceway for the Cactus Classic, where Pursley delivered a standout performance on Thursday night. After qualifying 10th in a stout, 31-car field, Pursley advanced through his heat race and charged from 10th to a third-place finish in the A-Main, earning the first ever podium for the NAPA No. 9 team.
Friday and Saturday presented challenges, as the team continued to show speed but was ultimately sidelined by incidents in both feature events, resulting in a pair of DNFs. Despite the setbacks, the pace of the NAPA No. 9 remained evident throughout the weekend.
The NAPA No. 9 team now turns its focus to the next event at Vado Speedway Park in New Mexico on Tuesday as the 2026 High Limit Racing season continues.
Start / Finish:
Thursday, March 12, Las Vegas Motor Speedway: 15 / 12
Friday, March 13, Las Vegas Motor Speedway: 9 / 6
Saturday, March 14, Las Vegas Motor Speedway: 13 / 10
Thursday, March 19, Central Arizona Raceway: 10 / 3
Friday, March 20, Central Arizona Raceway: DNF
Saturday, March 21, Central Arizona Raceway: DNF
Points Standing / Total: 11th / 281 pts. (-125)
Next Race: Tuesday, March 24, Vado Speedway Park, Vado, NM
How to Watch or Listen:
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By Benz Injection
I’m planning a high-boost build on my OM606 and looking for the best exhaust manifold option. There are aftermarket units of stainless that purport to have more flow and better heat handling; I would like to hear from owners who have used them in actual construction. Who manufactures the best serious boost and performance increasing manifold of high quality? -
By NAPA
Brad Sweet and the Kasey Kahne Racing
link hidden, please login to view No. 49 team closed out the 2025 High Limit Racing season with a laudable performance at Texas Motor Speedway, collecting a pair of top-five finishes including a podium finish in Saturday’s $50,000-to-win Championship Finale. The consistent weekend capped off another standout season for Brad Sweet and the NAPA team, who finished third in the final owners standings, just 49 points shy of the championship and only 4 points out of second.
The final week on the High Limit calendar started Wednesday at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO., where Sweet entered 30 points out of the championship lead, and the NAPA team knew every position mattered. Sweet qualified 10th overall to start third in Heat 1, where he held his ground to secure a transfer into the A-Main. Starting 10th for the 30-lap Feature, Sweet charged forward early, gaining five spots to cross the line in fifth and keeping the NAPA team within striking distance of the title heading into the Championship Weekend.
The High Limit Championship Weekend at Texas Motor Speedway kicked off Friday with Sweet qualifying ninth to start second in Heat 3. He maintained his position there to advance directly to the A-Main, where he rolled off ninth for the 25-lap event. The NAPA crew gave Sweet a fast race car, allowing him to steadily pick off positions through traffic and claim a fourth-place finish at the checkered flag.
After starting the Saturday night finale sitting third in the owners standings—40 points out of first and 15 back from second—the NAPA 49 team delivered a strong performance all night long. Sweet earned the Quick Time Award with the fastest overall qualifying lap, then led every circuit of his Heat Race to lock into the Dash. After starting fourth in the Dash, Sweet made a key pass for third to secure a second-row starting spot for the $50,000-to-win feature.
In the 30-lap Championship A-Main, Sweet kept the NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 in the thick of the battle from start to finish, trading the runner-up spot multiple times in a thrilling duel with Daryn Pittman. As the checkered flag flew, Sweet brought home third-place, a podium finish to wrap up the 2025 High Limit Racing season on a high note.
Start / Finish:
Wednesday, Oct. 15, Lucas Oil Speedway: 10 / 5
Friday, Oct. 17, Texas Motor Speedway: 9 / 4
Saturday, Oct. 18, Texas Motor Speedway: 3 / 3
Final 2025 Points Standing / Total: 3rd / 2,873 pts. (-49)
NAPA:
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By WiperTech008
No, cars haven't always had wipers. Early automobiles lacked many safety features, including wipers, leaving drivers to rely on goggles for protection from rain and debris.
The First Windscreen Wipers
The first wiper was patented in 1903 by Mary Anderson. Her manually operated design allowed drivers to clear the windshield using a lever. In 1917, Charlotte Bridgwood improved on this by introducing an automatic system powered by rollers. Despite their innovations, these early wipers were slow to gain popularity.
Widespread Adoption
By the 1920s, as cars became more common, manufacturers started including wipers as standard equipment. Early systems were vacuum-powered, but in the 1960s, electric wipers became the norm, offering more reliable and efficient performance.
Modern Wipers
Today’s wipers are advanced, featuring variable speeds, intermittent settings, and rain-sensing technology. These improvements ensure clear visibility and safety in all weather conditions.
Wipers have come a long way from their manual beginnings, evolving into essential safety features that every car relies on today.
Share your thoughts below🚗💨
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By Counterman
In the latest episode of Counter Culture, Philip Austin, manager of technical training at
link hidden, please login to view, joins the show to break down what counter professionals need to know about link hidden, please login to view, specifically those made with ruthenium, and how they relate to today’s engine designs. Austin explained that the term “high-ignitability” refers to more than just the spark plug itself. It reflects the complexity of modern engines. These now integrate technologies like turbocharging, gasoline direct injection (GDI), dual fuel systems, and variable valve timing. These engine advancements create new performance demands.
“The demands of the engine today have changed while trying to meet the needs of the customer in relationship to the efficiency of the engine without sacrificing power,” said Austin. “So when we do talk about high-ignitability, we are talking about today’s engine designs.”
Spark Plugs Must Meet New Engine Demands
To meet those demands, many manufacturers now choose ruthenium-based spark plugs. Ruthenium offers superior performance and durability compared to platinum or iridium.
Austin provided some background on this trend. “Ruthenium is the most durable metal alloy that may have some platinum or iridium attributes to it. With that formulation, it’s the best choice for manufacturers on today’s high ignitability engine designs.”
Ruthenium’s metal composition supports efficient ignition under the stress of modern engine technologies. These include high compression, multiple fuel injection methods, and heat variability.
When Customers Should Consider a Ruthenium Upgrade
Austin also addressed the customer question: Should you upgrade to ruthenium plugs if the vehicle didn’t originally require them? The answer: sometimes.
“There are applications where you do not want to change the metal type and tip configuration,” he noted. “But for others, especially those with over 100,000 miles, a more durable, precious metal plug may be a perfect opportunity.”
Counter professionals should reference electronic catalog tools to ensure proper compatibility. These tools confirm whether a ruthenium upgrade fits the specific engine’s design and conditions.
Helping Customers Choose the Right Spark Plug
Counter professionals shouls start with the OEM recommendation. From there, evaluate whether mileage or performance factors justify an upgrade.
Use electronic catalog guides to cross-reference valid options. “High-ignitability” does not always require ruthenium, but many cases benefit from it. Ruthenium spark plugs can deliver long-term value, especially for older engines under stress.
Catch the full episode to hear how to discuss these upgrades with confidence and help customers make smarter decisions.
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