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Fact Sheet -- Bill Kent
BORN:
Monahans, Texas Oct. 13, 1955 (40).
HEIGHT:
6 ft. 1 in.
WEIGHT:
200 lb.
HOMETOWN:
Midland, Texas
WIFE:
Terri
CHILDREN:
None
1995 RECORD:
Crashed in first race of season, NHRA Divisional at Baton Rouge, La..
Moved from competition eliminator to super gas class to continue racing
until new car could be built. Broke our of his elapsed time bracket in
first round at NHRA Mid-South Nationals at Memphis, Tenn.
Broke out of his E.T. bracket in second round of NHRA Divisional at
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Returned to comp eliminator in new car at NHRA Mile-High Nationals, Denver,
Colo., lost in 1st round.
Did not qualify in comp eliminator for the NHRA U.S. Nationals at
Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, Ind.
Suffered red light disqualification in 1st round of NHRA Divisional race at
Houston, but ran his fastest elapsed time of the year, 7.25 sec., & fastest top speed
ever 182 mph.
Failed to qualify for NHRA Chief Auto Parts Nationals at Ennis, Texas.
FIRST RACE:
1971, Penwell Raceway, Odessa, Texas. Didn't win.
DRAG RACING HIGHLIGHTS:
1971, Teaming with brother Tom, won races & set and AHRA world record.
1994, Won NHRA Division 5 race at Bandimere Speedway, Denver. Placed 10th
in NHRA Division 4 points, 36th in NHRA World standings.
NON-RACING BACKGROUND:
Quit drag racing when he enrolled at Arizona State University in 1974.
Graduate of Monahans High School, was co-captain of football team which reached the state quarter-finals. Played linebacker and center.
Was graduated from Arizona State in 1978 with a B.S. degree in general business administration.
Joined his father's business after graduation, bought the business in 1984.
By graduation, he had also earned a black belt in taekwondo. He now holds a fourth degree black belt. He competed in more than 100 karate tournaments and won championships in at least half of them.
Opened a taekwondo studio in Midland, Texas. One of his students, Terri Hardy, became his wife. She now operates that business. Bill owns Kent Oil Co. and Kent Lubrication Centers. Kent Oil operates a chain of 25 Kent Kwik convenience stores in Texas, and Kent Lubrication Centers operates 19 Avis Lube Fast Oil Change Centers in Texas and Arizona.
