Will charges to fifth semifinal of season
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/H_will.jpg" alt="H_will" align="left"borders="0"/>
Memphis, TN (9/28/08): Hillary Will, driver of the 8,000-horsepower KB Racing, LLC Top Fuel dragster and the world’s fastest female, raced to her fifth semi-final showing of the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Sunday during final eliminations of the annual running of the O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park in Millington, Tenn., just a few miles north of Memphis.
In the opening round of eliminations, Will, the No. 2 qualifier (3.826 sec., 313.66 mph), defeated No. 15 qualifier Morgan Lucas. In the quarterfinals, Will took a holeshot win over fellow Countdown to 1 championship contender Cory McClenathan, 3.929 sec., 301.81 mph to 3.913 sec., 302.48 mph. The race was won on the starting line as Will posted a .094-second reaction time compared to McClenathan’s .159-second mark.
In the semifinals, Will and the KB Racing, LLC team matched up against the Alan Johnson-tuned dragster team. With the bright mid-south sun beating down on the racing surface at MMP, the two cars and drivers left the starting line to determine one of the day’s Top Fuel finalists. Both cars struggled to keep maximum traction down the track, but Will and her rail had the most difficulty “staying stuck” and that let her opponent get the win, 4.476 sec., 220.30 mph to 4.225 sec., 243.85 mph.
“We’re disappointed, but we’re not holding our heads down,” Will, a 28-year old native of Fortuna, Calif., said. “Anytime you can make the semifinals it’s a pretty good day at the race track. I can’t say enough about how good my KB Racing, LLC team is. The guys on our crew work so hard to give me a great car to drive, and we’ve shown that in our performance this season.
“It’s really tough getting to the semis and then not being able to go for the win, but it’s still a good day. Our car has been so consistent this year so I’m very confident we can pick up another Wally (trophy) before the season is over.”
Will is currently the only female driver competing in the Top Fuel class.
Will is in 5th place in POWERade championship points and in the NHRA Countdown to 1 postseason. There are now three events remaining in the 2008 Countdown to the Championship.
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/H_will.jpg" alt="H_will" align="left"borders="0"/>
Memphis, TN (9/28/08): Hillary Will, driver of the 8,000-horsepower KB Racing, LLC Top Fuel dragster and the world’s fastest female, raced to her fifth semi-final showing of the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Sunday during final eliminations of the annual running of the O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park in Millington, Tenn., just a few miles north of Memphis.
In the opening round of eliminations, Will, the No. 2 qualifier (3.826 sec., 313.66 mph), defeated No. 15 qualifier Morgan Lucas. In the quarterfinals, Will took a holeshot win over fellow Countdown to 1 championship contender Cory McClenathan, 3.929 sec., 301.81 mph to 3.913 sec., 302.48 mph. The race was won on the starting line as Will posted a .094-second reaction time compared to McClenathan’s .159-second mark.
In the semifinals, Will and the KB Racing, LLC team matched up against the Alan Johnson-tuned dragster team. With the bright mid-south sun beating down on the racing surface at MMP, the two cars and drivers left the starting line to determine one of the day’s Top Fuel finalists. Both cars struggled to keep maximum traction down the track, but Will and her rail had the most difficulty “staying stuck” and that let her opponent get the win, 4.476 sec., 220.30 mph to 4.225 sec., 243.85 mph.
“We’re disappointed, but we’re not holding our heads down,” Will, a 28-year old native of Fortuna, Calif., said. “Anytime you can make the semifinals it’s a pretty good day at the race track. I can’t say enough about how good my KB Racing, LLC team is. The guys on our crew work so hard to give me a great car to drive, and we’ve shown that in our performance this season.
“It’s really tough getting to the semis and then not being able to go for the win, but it’s still a good day. Our car has been so consistent this year so I’m very confident we can pick up another Wally (trophy) before the season is over.”
Will is currently the only female driver competing in the Top Fuel class.
Will is in 5th place in POWERade championship points and in the NHRA Countdown to 1 postseason. There are now three events remaining in the 2008 Countdown to the Championship.
