Can I Patent My Suspension Configuration?

Hello! I'm from Location: New York and participate in a popular auto racing scene in the area.

Recently a buddy of mine figured out a neat trick with out shocks that gives the cars we use a huge performance boost. I won't go into too much detail but we aren't physically adding or removing anything from the part, just changing it's configuration.

I don't think we'll be able to stop this from getting out, but would it be possible to file a patent for this? If not in my own name, in the name of my buddy? And would this patent apply outside of the state?

Thank you in advance!