KB Racing LLC: Will looks to Torco Nationals to move up in points
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE KB RACING LLC NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES KB RACING LLC-owned, KALITTA MOTORSPORTS-managed TOP FUEL DRAGSTER HILLARY WILL (www.hillarywillrace.com) -- DRIVER JIM OBERHOFER (Jim O.) -- CREW CHIEF MEDIA CONTACT: Mickey Schultz PHONE: 425-557-8899 E-MAIL: mschultz@bellsouth.net INAUGURAL NHRA TORCO NATIONALS VIRGINIA MOTORSPORTS PARK -- RICHMOND (DINWIDDIE) VA OCTOBER 6-8, 2006 * *Will looks to Torco Nationals to move up in points * DINWIDDIE, Va. (October 4, 2006) -- The first of this season's final three races, that will officially end Hillary Will's rookie season, begins this weekend with the Inaugural NHRA Torco Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park located in Dinwiddie, Va., just a short drive from Richmond. This will be the first time in five years that the NHRA circuit has contested an event at Virginia Motorsports Park. The series previously raced here from 1995 to 2000. "Since we haven't raced at the Richmond track in some time, we are fortunate because our KB Racing Pro Stock teammate Greg Anderson tested there right before Reading," said Will's crew chief Jim Oberhofer, known to the majority as Jim O. "He has brought us up to date on the track surface and conditions. With that, the atmospheric conditions, and using notes from like tracks [at or near sea level], such as Englishtown under cooler conditions, we should be able to establish a base and tune from there. "You go about it like any other race. You hope that the track has been prepared properly. Also, weather conditions, like cool, dry temperatures and/or cloud cover, will make a bad track look good. There are so many variables that go into making a track good. A lot of people think it's just spraying traction compound down and going, but you have to consider the whole package. How much rubber is down on the track. The type of rubber that is on the track. How the track is cleaned and prepped and thinks like that before traction compound goes down. "There are just so many things that go into making a good racing surface. In the end, you cross your fingers and hope that you have the right conditions and the right tune up for those conditions." Will, who has gone to one final round this season and is currently ninth in the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel point standings, is one of the leading candidates for the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award. The award, which is decided by a distinguished panel of auto racing journalists, is presented to the outstanding rookie in a professional category, along with a check for $20,000. Will, who drives the KB Racing LLC-owned, Kalitta Motorsports-managed Top Fuel dragster, continues her push to move up additional positions in the point standings. The 26-year-old driver originally from Northern California, who now calls Ypsilanti, Mich. home, is only 30 points out of eighth spot and 95 points behind seventh. "Hillary is up to the challenge of moving up in the points," added Jim O. "She is driving well and her reaction times are right where they need to be. We tested after Reading and it was a success. We found some more speed and that should help us in the elapsed time department also. I feel we have the opportunity to climb as high as seventh and that we still have the ability, car and driver that can win a race before the year is out." Qualifying for Will begins with two nitro sessions on Friday, Oct. 6, scheduled for 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. and concludes with two additional nitro sessions on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Will begins her quest for the Torco Nationals Top Fuel title on Sunday, Oct 8, with eliminations for all classes beginning at 11 a.m. *All times are local Richmond time (ET) and subject to change at anytime. * Qualifying highlights for the Inaugural NHRA Torco Nationals can be seen on ESPN2 / ESPN2 HD on Saturday (Oct. 7) from 10 p.m. to 12 midnight. ESPN2 / ESPN2 HD will also air same-day television coverage of eliminations from 7 until 10 p.m., Sunday (Oct. 8). The elimination show repeats early Monday morning (Oct. 9) from 2:30-4:30 a.m. Also, tune in to NHRA2Day on ESPN2 / ESPN2 HD, the weekly show that gives you the latest information about the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. NHRA2Day can be seen on Sunday morning, Oct. 8, from 12:30-1 p.m. *Television times are Eastern Time (ET) and subject to change at anytime. Check local listings.* /KB Racing LLC is owned by Las Vegas businessmen Ken Black and Kenny Black. KB Racing LLC fields the Kalitta Motorsports-managed Top Fuel dragster driven by rookie driver Hillary Will. Autolite Spark Plugs, Calico Coatings, Findlay Automotive, Mac Tools, Red Line Oil, Summit Racing Equipment and the Technicoat Companies are associate marketing partners for 2006. In addition to Hillary Will's Top Fuel Dragster, KB Racing LLC also fields two Summit Racing Equipment Pro Stock Pontiac GTOs, driven by Greg Anderson and Jason Line on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Anderson has won three consecutive POWERade Pro Stock Championships (2003-2005). Line finished third in the 2005 POWERade point standings and was honored with the 2004 Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future award, presented to the most outstanding rookie in a professional category. Kalitta Motorsports (www.kalittaracing.com), owned by the legendary drag racer and successful businessman Connie Kalitta, will field, in addition to Will's dragster, three additional nitro fuel cars -- two Top Fuel dragsters and a Funny Car -- in 2006 in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Doug Kalitta will drive the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster, David Grubnic will handle the driving duties on the StriVectin-SD Top Fuel Dragster and Scott Kalitta moves from Top Fuel to the Kalitta Air Funny Car for 2006. / ####