NORWALK — Where there is a “will,” Hillary finds a way.
NHRA Top Fuel driver Hillary Will entered this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals fifth in her division’s point standings.
The Fortuna, Calif., native had 652 points before coming to Norwalk. She was just 16 points behind fourth-place holder Rod Fuller.
Four weeks ago in Topeka, Kan., Will drove her KB Racing dragster into the history books. The 28-year-old became the first female driver to claim a Top Fuel event championship.
“I race because I love it,” Will said. “I get in the car and that’s what I love to do. Other people have told me that they look up to me and I am an inspiration to them. I’m glad I can be that.
“I hope women and young girls see me and realize that they can succeed in other male dominated fields.”
Before Will made it to the Top Fuel racing division, she had to start somewhere.
“I used to spend Sunday with my dad at the racetrack,” Will said Friday. “We used to go and it was a way for us to spend time together.
“We used to watch for a long time. He would race every once in awhile in different things.”
Spending time at the track fed the hunger and desire in Will, but eventually she wanted more.
As it turned out, Will drove through the streets of northern California with the first car she took to the track.
“I had a ’73 Dodge Challenger that I drove in high school and I took that down to the track,” she said.
Much like other sports, certain men and women are looked at as role models and trendsetters. The guidance they give to the younger generation can ensure the sport of drag racing will continue to develop.
“I looked up to a lot of drivers,” said Will. “A lot of them have helped me out.
“Scott Kalitta helped me out a lot. I got licensed in his Fuel car. He hand-wrote me notes (on) how to drive, how to warm up the car, how to do the burnout procedure and all that kind of stuff. I learned a lot from him.”
Unfortunately for Will and the racing community, Kalitta was killed in an accident last weekend.
Kalitta left behind teammates — including Will — and his wife Kathy, with whom he had two sons, Corey and Colin. Kalitta was also survived by his cousin Doug and father Connie.
With the loss of a mentor, it provides Will with an opportunity to grow as a driver. Now, she is the one handing out advice to future drivers.
“Race as long as it’s fun,” she said. “If you’re not having fun, don’t do it anymore. (You need) to stay determined.
“When you drive a racecar, you’ve got to look straight. Don’t look at what’s around you and you don’t let anything stop you when you’re going down the track. In life, don’t let anything stop you from what you want to do.”

Burnouts

Former Cleveland Cavalier forward Larry Nance now powers his way down the track instead of to the basket. Before getting into his Pro Stock machine, Nance signed autographs for the substantial crowd that gathered outside his trailer during a track delay. Nance has been involved in drag racing since 1996.
• Tim Wilkerson may lead the NHRA Funny Car standing, but a father-daughter combination is hot on his heels. Ashley Force was leading the points standings after Week 5 at The Strip in Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Now in second, Ashley is just 132 points out of the top spot.
John Force, currently third in Funny Car, won his 1,000th career race on May 4 at the Gateway International Raceway outside of St. Louis. The win for John Force came on his 59th birthday against Ron Capps in the Midwest Nationals. Force’s first win came on June 1, 1979, at the Cajun Nationals in Baton Rouge, La.
• As the “Countdown to 10” approaches, Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher is close to qualifying for the “Countdown to 1” NHRA playoff format. Schumacher had 1,009 points entering Norwalk and holds a 244-point lead over second-place driver Antron Brown.
• Elyria’s Dave Connolly trails Warren Johnson by 73 points for 10th place in the NHRA Pro Stock standings. Connolly lost his sponsor near the beginning of the season and is still in contention despite racing in only six events before this weekend.
• The NHRA takes next weekend off before heading to the Rocky Mountains for the Mopar Mile-High Nationals from July 11-13 in Denver.
Contact Matt Florjancic at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered, click here.
If you are registered, click here to log in.
Need help? Email Us.