For Will, drag racing's the way
It seems that every week another woman finds her way to the winner's circle in the NHRA Powerade Series.
Last weekend in Topeka, Kan., it was Hillary Will joining previous 2008 event winners Ashley Force and Melanie Troxel. Will won in Top Fuel, beating No. 1 qualifier Larry Dixon for her first career win by making a run of 4.744 seconds with a top speed of 304.53 mph. She became the 11th woman in NHRA history to win a national event.
The feeling was all new to Will.
"I never imagined I would make it this far," she said.
"I'm thankful that there's been women racers before me who kind of paved the way. Maybe that's a big reason why my dad even brought me to the race track in the first place, is because he saw there were women succeeding in motorsports."
Being a woman in a man's game is nothing new to Will. It was the same way when she was making her living as a financial analyst.
"There were times when I was the only woman sitting at a table full of suits," she said. "That was tough. I know I feel a lot more comfortable in the drag racing world than I did in the business world. I know there are still women out there in business, women in politics, still struggling in those male-dominated fields.
"We just have to stay at it and be determined. If it's what we love to do, then women can succeed in male-dominated fields, too."
NHRA returns to Route 66
What: 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals
When: Thursday through Sunday
Where: Route 66 Raceway, Joliet (south of I-80 between Route 52 and Route 53.
Events: Drivers and teams competing in Pro Stock Car, Funny Car, Top Fuel Dragster, Pro Stock Motorcycle and all Sportsman categories.
Tickets: (call 888-629-7223)
Thursday: $13 adults, 12 and younger free. Friday: $41 adults, $11 for children. Saturday: $48 adults, $11 for children. Sunday: $58 adults, $11 for children. Reserve prices: $51-$66 adults, $16 children. Four-day pass: $125 adults, $30 children. Parking: $5.
Track schedule
Thursday: Pit and spectator gates open 8 a.m., with qualifying at 9 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. Track closes at 7 p.m.
Friday: Gates open 7:30 a.m. with qualifying and eliminations from 8 a.m. until track closes at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: Gates open 7:30 a.m.; Sportsman eliminations 8 a.m.;
TAD/TAFC Qualifying Session 8:45 a.m.; Jeg's Allstar round 1 at 10:30 a.m.; Pro Stock qualifying (PS Car / PS Motorcycle) at noon; Nitro qualifying(Top Fuel Dragster / Funny Car) 1 p.m.; Pro Stock qualifying (PS Car / PS Motorcycle) 3 p.m.; Nitro qualifying (Top Fuel Dragster / Funny Car) 4 p.m.; Jeg's Allstar Finals, 5 p.m.; track closes at 6 p.m.
Sunday: Gates 0pen at 7:30 a.m.; Sportsman eliminations 9 a.m.; Pre-race ceremonies 10:30 a.m.; Finals eliminations 11 a.m.; track closes at 4:30 p.m.