A special program which was on life-support earlier this summer could turn into a bright spot on

the NHRA’s menu thanks to the unending dedication of a key executive and a few determined racers.

Steve Williams, a Vice President at K&N Filters responsible for advertising and promotions, had all but given up on the K&N Horsepower Challenge, a qualifying-based $50,000 shootout devoted to the NHRA’s Pro Stock division. More Cash, More Fan Involvement, More Exposure on this Executive's Wish List ...

A special program which was on life-support earlier this summer could turn into a bright spot on the NHRA's menu thanks to the unending dedication of a key executive and a few determined racers.

Steve Williams, a Vice President at K&N Filters responsible for advertising and promotions, had all but given up on the K&N Horsepower Challenge, a qualifying-based $50,000 shootout devoted to the NHRA's Pro Stock division.

"It was one of those things to be honest with you without the pro driver involvement and actually wanting K&N to stay a part of it, we probably wouldn't have done it," Williams revealed.

Williams admitted that it was the relentless efforts of Allen Johnson, V. Gaines, Warren and Kurt Johnson and Jeg Coughlin Jr., which ultimately led to the preservation of the K&N Horsepower Challenge.

Williams plans to use this one-year reprieve as a springboard to spice up the special race-within-a-race and work towards a long-term agreement.

The creative executive has brainstormed and together with his staff generated a possible list of things he'd like to accomplish.

"I'd like it to be more of a race within a race," Williams beamed, as he pointed out the idea of turning the K&N Horsepower Challenge into a Saturday evening event. "I've been trying to get them to actually separate it.  I think I've got the Pro Stock guys willing to put extra runs on their cars because that used to be the big complaint."

Seeing how it was the Pro Stock drivers who saved the show, Williams believes the extra runs are a non-issue.

"I think they've realized that we've invested and we're not going anywhere," he continued. "We'd like to see this progress to where like you'd end up on Saturday night where it is actually a race outside of just the qualifying.  To be honest with you what I'd really like to see out there is more of an all-star event.  Strangely enough there were eight different guys who won races last year."

A couple of his other plans he'd like to see implemented is a race win qualify a driver for the program and if less than eight drivers win during the season, the balance is filled by fan vote.

"That's where I'd actually like to go with it instead of it just we'll still pay top qualifier money and for No 1 qualifier," Williams said.

Williams doesn't hide the fact he liked the way his company teamed with GM in the first year and rewarded a lucky race fan with a new Pontiac. This season's event didn't have an additional bonus prize, consisting mainly of the event and little cross-promotion.

Next year, Williams confirmed, the K&N Horsepower Challenge will be aligned with Harley-Davidson. A lucky race fan will be paired with a driver and if that driver wins, the fan rides home with the title to a new motorcycle.

"We're going to try to drag more fans into the actual event to where you've got to go and sign up online just like you did before," Williams explained. "We did it in 2008 and there were like 80,000 people that signed up in like 6 weeks.  We're going to do the same type of promotion for 2010.  We're just going to get a little bit of a head start.  People can go on www.knfilters.com and register and they'll get a chance to win a free trip, a motorcycle and some cash."

The giveaways and cross-promotions are an excellent addition to the strong $50,000-to-win prize the eight Pro Stock drivers battle for, but those perks would pale in comparison to purse increase. And, that's something he's in favor for in the coming seasons.

"What I think would be really cool is if we got the place where there was a couple hundred thousand dollars up for grabs," Williams added.

And that, Williams believes, would set the program apart.

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